South Florida Injury Attorneys Blog
After a car accident in Hollywood, Florida, many factors call for attention. However, the health of car accident victims should be the primary concern. In addition, hiring a Hollywood car accident lawyer will make dealing with the damages after a crash easier.
In most cases, the decision to see a doctor after a car accident is apparent. Victims can sustain minor to severe injuries such as a fracture. In other cases, victims may need immediate surgery to survive the impact of a crash. In those circumstances, the question is where the nearest doctor is.
Additionally, immediately after a car accident, the adrenaline levels in your body are at its highest. This increases the level of tension and makes it difficult to think rationally. At this point, you may not feel any pain in your body and assume that you are unhurt.
As a precautionary measure, you should have a medical check-up after a car accident. It becomes even more critical if you have a pre-existing medical condition. There are several benefits of visiting a doctor, which we cover in this article.
However, apart from the health benefits of visiting a doctor, the documentation of the treatment process also helps build a strong case when filing a compensation claim.
How Visiting a Doctor After Your Car Accident Helps Your Claim
The strength of your claim for compensation after a car accident is the amount of evidence you have. To have proof of the damages sustained during a crash, you must have medical reports and documentation from a medical doctor.
If you do not have official medical reports to prove the injuries you sustained during a car accident, the insurance company or the at-fault party’s lawyer may make the case that you had the injuries before the accident and do not deserve compensation.
Insurance companies use a strategy to avoid offering victims of car accidents the compensation they deserve: to downplay their injuries. When you fail to see a doctor, you make it more difficult to prove that the crash directly caused your injuries.
The medical reports and documentation containing the details of your injuries, the diagnosis, and the treatment. It also shows whether you have attained maximum medical improvement or need future medical care.
The presence of the latter helps you claim future medical expenses as part of your settlement. A Hollywood car accident lawyer uses the evidence from your doctor to prove your case so you can seek the compensation you deserve.
How Long Do I Have to See a Doctor After My Car Accident?
According to Florida state law, victims of car accidents have a limit of 14 days to see a doctor. Victims may forfeit the full benefits of personal injury protection (PIP) insurance policy if they miss the 14-day deadline.
Therefore, if you have an open injury, visit a doctor immediately or within the stipulated time frame. However, if you sustained a delayed injury, see a doctor as soon as you become aware of the injury.
As mentioned earlier, what determines the strength of a personal injury compensation claim is the quality of evidence the victim can present. The following are the possible outcomes when you fail to see a medical professional:
- It becomes more challenging to prove you sustained the injuries during the car accident. The insurance company may claim that the injury existed before the car accident.
- The injuries sustained during a car accident are deemed less severe. As a result, the insurance company may say you did not see a doctor because you were not injured.
- The insurance company might make the case that you could have stalled one of the damages if you had visited a doctor. This is called “failure to mitigate damages.”
- The insurance company may claim that you only went to the hospital to find evidence for your case, not because you were injured.
Essential Questions to Ask the Doctor
Once you decide to see a doctor after your car accident, asking the following questions will help with treatment and show proof to build a strong case.
- What injuries did I sustain?
- How long will the recovery take?
- Will the injury stop me from working?
- Do I need surgery?
- What medication and treatment will I need to recover?
- Do I need medical equipment and future medical care?
- Can I have a copy of the medical records?
Medical records are essential in tracking the process of a victim’s recovery and the cost of the treatment. The records also illustrate the story of what the injured party lost and the effect on their quality of life.
Common Non-Visible or Delayed Car Accident Injuries
Victims of car accidents may sustain a wide range of injuries. These injuries may be life-threatening or minor. Unfortunately, most victims are likely to discard minor injuries sustained during car accidents, only for the symptoms to show up days, weeks, or even months later.
As mentioned, during the period following a car accident, the adrenaline and epinephrine levels in a body peak, making victims not feel pain from their injuries. Some injuries may be undiscovered or invisible after a collision, including:
- Whiplash, which may later cause severe neck pain and limited movement range
- Concussion
- Internal bleeding
- Soft tissue injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Nerve damage
There are a lot of other injuries you can sustain during a car accident that may lead to long-term medical conditions if not correctly treated immediately after the accident. Although it is very easy to shrug off a headache or other minor symptoms after a car accident, only a doctor can precisely confirm the injury’s nature.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Hollywood, Florida?
Victims should take the following steps to mitigate the adverse consequences of car accidents.
- First, immediately file an accident report with law enforcement.
- See a doctor for evaluation and treatment
- Speak to an experienced car accident lawyer
Even if a car accident victim delays visiting a doctor after their car accident, they may still file a personal injury claim and seek compensation. An experienced Hollywood car accident attorney will use their expertise to build a strong case for the victim. However, it is crucial to present other forms of evidence such as the accident report, witness statements, photos and videos, expert witnesses, etc.
Were You Injured in an Auto Collision?
When non-visible injuries such as internal bleeding, post-traumatic stress disorder, and nerve damage are left undiagnosed after a car accident, they may lead to life-threatening medical conditions. Therefore, visit a doctor immediately after a crash.
This prevents your injuries from worsening and gives you the evidence needed for a chance of a favorable outcome. Aside from medical care, contact a car accident attorney.
Our experienced Hollywood car accident attorneys at Frankl Kominsky Injury lawyers will assist you in choosing the best doctor, filing for no-fault benefits, and seeking compensation for damages (by appointment only). We have successfully represented several victims and can do the same for you. Call (561) 800-8000 to schedule a free consultation today.