Motor vehicle crashes often cause serious knee injuries that require immediate medical care. Sometimes victims may put off seeking treatment because of the inconvenience or concerns about the costs. However, that is a bad idea, because delayed medical treatment can have significant consequences, including putting your health and legal rights at risk.

At TSR Injury Law, our skilled Minneapolis car crash attorneys protect victims from insurance companies that attempt to devalue or deny claims due to delayed treatment. Our proven track record includes millions recovered for injured victims across Minnesota. Your initial consultation is free, and there are no upfront costs or fees to pay.

Request your free case review today. (612) TSR-TIME

Why Do Insurance Companies Care When I Get Treatment for My Knee After a Car Crash?

Insurance companies use every opportunity to try to devalue or deny your claim. Once an injury claim has been filed, they scrutinize the time between when your car crash occurred and your first medical visit. Any treatment delays give them room to cast doubt on whether your knee injury was caused by the crash or by something else.

Seeing a doctor within the first 24 hours shows you are serious about getting your injuries looked at and treated. Since your visit gets documented in your medical records, it also gives insurance companies less room to dispute your claim. Medical records create a direct link between your crash and your knee injury. Early treatment proves the crash caused your knee injury, strengthening your right to compensation.

What Evidence Can I Lose by Waiting to Get My Knee Injury Treated?

Critical evidence begins to disappear from the moment you leave the crash scene without seeking medical care. Your delayed treatment causes you to lose these essential pieces of evidence that help to prove the crash caused your knee injury:

• Medical documentation showing the direct connection between the crash and your knee injury
• Physical proof of bruising, swelling, and other visible trauma that fades over time
• Emergency room records detailing your immediate pain levels and symptoms
• Medical imaging that captures fresh tissue damage before healing begins
• Witness statements from first responders about your condition at the scene
• Documentation of your inability to walk or bear weight immediately after the crash

How Does Delaying Medical Care Damage Your Insurance Claim?

Insurance companies follow strict rules about medical treatment after a car crash. Every day you wait to see a doctor weakens your claim. Insurance adjusters look for gaps in medical care to reduce your compensation or deny your claim completely. Medical delays give insurance companies powerful tools to fight your claim:

• Time Gap to Get Treatment: Each day without medical care lets insurers argue your knee injury came from another source
• Documentation Issues: Missing early medical records prevents you from proving the true severity of your initial injury
• Reducing the Value of Your Claim: Insurance companies slash settlement offers when they spot delays between the crash and your first doctor’s visit
• Denying Your Claim: Waiting too long can trigger automatic claim denials under insurance policy deadlines
• Dispute About Causation: Medical delays create doubt about whether the crash actually caused your knee injury or if you may have sustained the injuries somewhere else.

Failing to seek prompt medical care signals to insurance companies that you did not take your injuries seriously. This damage to your credibility often leads to significantly reduced settlement offers – sometimes tens of thousands of dollars less than victims who seek immediate treatment.

Can Untreated Knee Injuries Lead to Permanent Health Problems?

If you have knee pain after a car crash, the first few days represent a critical window for seeking knee injury treatment. Medical research shows that delayed treatment can allow initial injuries to develop into more complex conditions that are harder to treat. Without proper medical intervention, your knee injury may lead to cascading health issues.

Inflammation and Scar Tissue Formation

Without proper medical management, excessive inflammation can lead to irregular scar tissue formation, potentially limiting joint mobility.

Joint Surface Damage

Untreated injuries to cartilage or joint surfaces may worsen with continued use, leading to accelerated wear and increasing the risk of osteoarthritis.

Altered Movement Patterns

Protecting an injured knee often leads to compensatory movement patterns that can stress other joints and muscles.

Muscle Weakness

Pain and limited movement can result in muscle atrophy around the knee, which may complicate recovery and rehabilitation.

Treatment Complications

Delayed medical care may lead to more complex treatments than if you had addressed the injury right away. That could mean needing more surgery or extensive rehabilitation.

Need Help With Your Legal Claim? Contact Our Trusted Law Firm Today

If you sustained knee injuries because of another driver’s negligence, we encourage you to contact our law firm today. We can help you understand your rights and legal options for recovering compensation for your damages.

At TSR Injury Law, we understand the complex nature of knee injuries and how they can occur in a car crash. It is important to recognize that time matters in knee injury cases. Medical bills pile up quickly, and it can be difficult to effectively manage your claim while trying to focus on your recovery.

Let our experienced car crash attorneys help you navigate the legal process. We are here to level the legal playing field and help you get the compensation you need and deserve. There are no upfront costs or fees when we represent you.

TSR Injury Law – We get you results. Call: (612) TSR-TIME