A personal injury could be anything from breaking an arm to suffering a severe brain injury from a blow to the head. In any case, it's a good idea to have a medical exam so that you have an idea of how serious your injury is and what kind of treatment plan you'll need to follow to recover. Additionally, getting medical care gives you the documentation you need to turn in a claim to the other party's insurance.
Here's an example. If you're involved in a car crash, then you have the option to go to the hospital or not. It's always recommended that you seek medical care since that will create the first piece of medical documentation about your injuries. If you don't go, the other party might argue that you were not injured at the time of the crash or that you said you were fine, which could threaten your insurance claim.
Can you make a claim if you don't go to the hospital?
It's possible, but it's going to be harder. You'll have to show how the injuries you suffered impacted your life and your financial losses. It will be harder to prove that you were injured or that you had financial losses as a result of a car crash if you have not sought medical attention.
You can, however, seek medical attention hours or days after an accident if your injuries are delayed. Our website has more on personal injuries and what you can do if you are hurt in a car crash or other accident.