After getting into a car accident, one of the first steps you should take is to seek medical attention to be assessed for accident-related injuries.
In the United States, more than four million individuals are injured in motor vehicle accidents each year, ranging from bruising and broken bones to traumatic brain injuries and paralysis.
It’s important that accident victims seek medical treatment after an accident to attend to these injuries or get assessed for less visible injuries, such as a concussion or internal injury.
Another reason is to comply with auto insurance requirements, which may state that policyholders have a limited amount of time to go see a doctor after an accident in order to receive personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. This is known as a statute of limitations.
Statutes of limitations for car accident injuries vary by state. Depending on where you live in the United States, you may have anywhere from 72 hours to 14 days after an accident to seek medical attention. Going to a doctor within the right time frame helps ensure that your injuries will be eligible for insurance reimbursement.
Why You Should See A Doctor Right Away
There are several reasons why it can be important to seek care from a medical professional as soon as possible after a car accident, in addition to your own well-being.
The first is to ensure you comply with your auto insurance company’s personal injury protection requirements, also known as PIP. Some insurance policies may detail a limited amount of time you have to seek medical care in order to receive compensation.
Three Reasons You Should Seek Medical Attention After A Car Accident
- To check for potential injuries that may have been sustained from the accident. Even if you don’t feel any pain or have any visible signs of injury, you may still have underlying injuries which can worsen if left untreated.
- To ensure you are emotionally stable after experiencing such a stressful event.
- Document your injuries in an official medical report which can be used as evidence in a personal injury lawsuit down the line. This is particularly important when seeking compensation from an at-fault driver, as the medical report can be used to calculate the cost of your medical expenses due to the accident.
Statute Of Limitations Following An Accident
Many common medical expenses that result from car accident injuries are covered under personal injury protection, which is a type of coverage offered in some auto insurance policies. To learn if you have PIP insurance, read through your insurance policy carefully.
You may be required to receive medical care within a certain amount of time for the resulting expenses to be eligible for PIP coverage. As an example, in the state of Florida, the injured has 14 days to seek medical treatment. You may lose your right to file a PIP claim if you wait more than 14 days to get medical attention after an accident. No matter who caused the accident, if you have personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, your medical bills will be covered. Failing to see a doctor within the required window of time could affect your legal rights to compensation for payout.
Car Accident Injuries Can Appear Late
Not all serious injuries that result from a car accident are obvious right away. Some accident-related injuries can appear late, with symptoms showing up days or even weeks after the date of the accident.
Two common examples of late-appearing injuries are concussions and soft-tissue injuries, like whiplash. Similar to how a sore muscle might become painful hours or days after a workout, whiplash can become painful hours or days after a car accident. This occurs because it takes time for the body to swell in the injured location and register that swelling has occurred which results in pain. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that can occur from trauma sustained to the head.
During a collision, a concussion can occur even when the head hasn’t been directly injured, but from the head jerking forward very suddenly. This shift of the brain is a type of moderate TBI.
Symptoms of a concussion can vary but may include:
- difficulty concentrating
- cloudy thinking
- dizziness
- headache
- nausea
- blurry vision
- trouble remembering new information
- low energy
- sleeping more or less than usual
- balance issues
After getting into an accident, it’s recommended that you visit a doctor within 72 hours to be assessed for accident-related injury.
Even if you don’t believe you’ve been seriously injured and do not need urgent care, it’s worthwhile to get checked out. Your doctor can assess for less visible damage to prevent the onset of serious, late-appearing injury.
Types Of Medical Services Covered By Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
In some states, personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is mandatory. This coverage insures drivers of medical expenses resulting from vehicle collisions.
Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage offers benefits that can be used for various medical services. Coverage is available as long as you seek these services from approved providers within the amount of time stated in your policy.
Types of medical services that may be covered include:
- emergency room care
- ambulance transportation
- X-rays
- primary care visits
- dental services
- rehabilitative services
- surgery
- mental health counseling
- physical therapy post-surgery
Seeking medical care from approved providers in your state may be an important factor in determining whether your medical treatment costs are eligible for coverage.
Receiving treatment from a non-approved provider may result in a denied claim or refusal from your auto insurance to cover treatment costs.
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How Seeking Help From A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Filing an auto insurance claim after getting into an accident can be a stressful and confusing process.
Although insurance companies are required by law to process claims fairly and in a timely manner, there are some insurance companies that may operate in bad faith. Bad faith practices include providing misleading or false information about their policies or failing to provide a reasonable explanation for a denied claim.
One example of a bad faith insurance tactic is for an auto insurance company to falsely claim that a person did not seek medical attention soon enough. The insurance company may also claim that because a policyholder didn’t seek medical treatment right away, it appears unclear whether the injury can be directly linked to the accident.
At Florin|Roebig law firm, our personal injury lawyers are committed to helping clients navigate the insurance claims process and receive the compensation they’re entitled to in a timely manner. We can also help you dispute a claim or file a bad faith claim against your insurance company, if necessary, to secure compensation.
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Contact Us Today For Legal Assistance After A Car Accident
Since 1985, the lawyers of Florin|Roebig law firm have been fighting for and protecting the rights of clients across the U.S. who have suffered personal injury and other losses.
Don’t wait to get started with a free consultation with one of our top-rated car accident attorneys. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you file or dispute an auto insurance claim for medical cost reimbursement.
