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 2023, there were 391,428 car crashes in Florida. 250,037 people were injured in crashes and there were 3,331 deaths. Many of the injures range from bruising and broken bones to traumatic brain injuries and paralysis.
According to Florida Statute § 627.736, you have 14 days to see a doctor after a car accident. It’s important that accident victims seek medical treatment within the 14 days 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 Florida 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 are very specific for Florida. In Florida the sol(statute of limitations) is 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.
Five Reasons You Should Seek Medical Attention Within 14 Days After A Car Accident
- Eligibility for PIP Benefits: Florida’s PIP statute mandates that individuals injured in auto accidents must seek medical treatment within 14 days to qualify for PIP benefits, which cover a portion of medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of fault. Failing to see a doctor within this timeframe can result in a denial of these benefits, leaving you responsible for all medical costs.
- Timely Diagnosis and Treatment: Seeking medical attention promptly ensures that any injuries sustained in the accident are diagnosed and treated early. This can prevent minor injuries from becoming more severe and can expedite your recovery process. Early medical records also provide clear documentation of your injuries, which is critical for any legal or insurance claims.
- Preserving Legal Rights: Visiting a doctor within the 14-day window helps preserve your legal rights to pursue compensation for your injuries. Insurance companies often use delays in seeking treatment as a reason to deny or diminish claims, arguing that the injuries were not severe or were unrelated to the accident.
- Establishing Medical Evidence: Medical records created immediately after the accident serve as crucial evidence in personal injury cases. They provide a direct link between the accident and your injuries, which can be vital in proving the extent of your injuries and securing a fair settlement or jury verdict.
- Improving Insurance Claims: Insurance adjusters often scrutinize the timing of medical treatment when evaluating claims. Prompt medical attention within the 14-day period strengthens your claim by showing that you took your injuries seriously and sought appropriate care, making it harder for insurers to dispute the validity of your injuries.
Florida’s 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. 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 Florida 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.
