Should I Go to the Doctor After Car Accident in Florida

After being involved in a car accident in Florida, you may find yourself wondering whether you should go to the doctor. The short answer is yes, you should go to the doctor after a car accident. While car accidents are traumatic events that can result in severe and even life-threatening injuries, these injuries are not always obvious. In fact, even serious injuries may not show signs of symptoms until hours, or even days, after the accident. 

This makes it important that you know when you should go to the doctor after a car accident, as your condition may worsen without treatment. Not only will seeking immediate medical attention ensure that you get the treatment you need, but these medical records can be essential in securing compensation should you file a personal injury claim. 

At the law office of Michael T. Gibson, Auto Justice Attorney, we know that the time following a car accident can be filled with uncertainty. If you have been injured in an accident due to another driver’s negligence, our experienced car accident attorneys can help ensure that you get the treatment you need and guide you through the process of filing a personal injury claim against the other driver. Feel free to contact us today at 407-422-4529 to schedule a free consultation.

If you are still unsure whether you should go to the doctor after a car accident, keep reading as we explore the top signs that you should seek medical attention following an accident. Additionally, feel free to contact us online to learn more about the steps that you should take after a car accident in Florida. 

Now, let’s dive deeper on each of these symptoms or conditions:

If You Lost Consciousness

It is essential that you be immediately taken to the hospital if you lost consciousness during or immediately following the accident. Loss of consciousness is often the result of head injuries, and it is possible that you sustained a concussion or a more serious injury during the accident. Even a brief loss of consciousness is still a significant warning sign that something isn’t right and you should go to the hospital. They will likely want to run some tests and keep you under observation to make sure that you did not suffer any serious injuries. 

If You Are Experiencing Pain or Other Symptoms

Pain can manifest in various ways following a car accident. You may experience neck pain, back pain, persistent headaches, intense muscle aches, or shooting pain if you move the wrong way. You should not ignore pain following a car accident, as this could indicate more serious underlying injuries such as fractures, whiplash, or even internal bleeding.

If you experience pain following a car accident, no matter how minor it may seem, it’s best to play it safe and get checked out by a medical professional. Even if pain does not show up until a few days after the accident, you should still see a doctor. Listening to your body now can prevent further complications down the road.

In addition to pain, you should go to a hospital if you experience other distressing symptoms in the days following your accident including:

• Swelling
• Headaches
• Stiffness
• Loss of Range of Motion
• Difficulty Bearing Weight on a Leg or Arm
• Loss of Any Physical Function
• Trouble Lifting/Carrying Heavy Objects
• Chronic Pain
• Bruising
• Or Difficulty Sleeping

Experiencing any of these symptoms is a clear sign that you need to see a medical professional. Even if your symptoms are minor, going to your primary care doctor or urgent care will help rule out major injuries. 

If the Paramedics Recommend You See a Doctor

If you are involved in a serious car accident, first responders will likely come to the scene including police officers, firefighters, and paramedics. Paramedics are trained to provide emergency medical aid and can play a crucial role following car accidents by checking for signs of serious injuries. 

If you are involved in an accident and paramedics arrive on the scene, you should let them check you over and treat any minor injuries that you have. If they suggest taking you to the hospital for further evaluation, it is critical that you take their recommendation seriously.

Paramedics have the experience and training to assess the severity of an accident and their patient’s injuries, and they can tell if you are likely to need immediate medical attention. Failing to follow their recommendations could make matters worse, so it is essential that you allow paramedics to take you to the hospital if they think it’s necessary.

If Your Soreness Does Not Go Away After a Few Days

It is common for people to be sore following a car accident. Even minor accidents can leave you with whiplash that lasts a couple of days. However, if you are still experiencing persistent pain, soreness, or stiffness that does not improve (or gets worse) several days after this accident, this could indicate a more serious injury. It is then essential that you schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible to have your injuries assessed. However, if your pain is severe or you develop serious bruising, you should go to the emergency room immediately. 

If You Have Pre-Existing Conditions

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, even a minor accident could cause severe complications and worsen your condition. Additionally, certain pre-existing conditions may make you more likely to suffer significant harm in an accident. 

This makes it critical that you talk to your doctor following an accident of any severity if you have a pre-existing injury or condition. A doctor can evaluate you and determine if the accident made matters worse and provide guidance on what you should do moving forward.

If You Experience PTSD and Emotional Trauma

Many people assume that they do not need medical attention if they do not have any physical injuries; however, it is important not to underestimate the emotional toll a car accident can have on victims. The fact is that a car accident can be an extremely traumatic event that can leave you with emotional distress and PTSD. If you are experiencing flashbacks, panic attacks, extreme anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping, or nightmares following an accident, it is essential that you seek medical attention. Counseling can help you learn to cope with the accident and overcome the trauma you experienced.

If You Plan on Filing an Insurance Claim

It is particularly important that you seek immediate medical attention following an accident if you plan on filing a personal injury claim against the other driver. The fact is that insurance companies are always looking for ways to deny claims or offer less compensation than accident victims deserve, and not seeking immediate medical attention following an accident could negatively impact your personal injury claim. 

This is because insurance companies will often try to delegitimize claims by arguing that if you didn’t seek medical treatment right away, then your injuries must not have been that severe. Furthermore, if you wait to see a doctor, the insurance company may try to claim that you only saw a doctor to try to strengthen your case after speaking with an attorney. They may even try to claim that you made your injuries worse by waiting to see a doctor, and they will try to argue that this reduces the compensation you’re entitled to. 

Seeking immediate medical attention following an accident is the best way to combat these tactics. Even if you only have mild symptoms, seeing your doctor right away will show the insurance providers that your injuries are serious, and you will have records to prove the effect the accident has had on you from the beginning. The fact is that the longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to connect your injuries to the accident, so it is important that you seek medical attention as soon as symptoms arise.

What are The Benefits of Seeing a Doctor After a Car Accident in Florida?

1. Early Detection: Prompt medical attention helps identify injuries early, preventing them from worsening over time.
2. Treatment: Timely medical care can effectively manage pain, speed up recovery, and prevent complications specific to injuries sustained in a car accident.
3. Documentation: Medical records can serve as evidence of injuries sustained in the accident, which is vital for insurance claims or legal proceedings in Florida.
4. Peace of Mind: Knowing your health status and receiving appropriate treatment can alleviate anxiety and stress after the car accident, which is particularly important in Florida.
5. Legal Protection: Seeking medical care can strengthen your case if you decide to pursue compensation for your injuries through insurance or legal channels in Florida, ensuring your rights are protected under state law.

Why Do Some People Hesitate to See a Doctor After a Car Accident in Florida?

People might hesitate to seek medical attention after a car accident in Florida due to various reasons such as:

• Belief that injuries are minor and will heal on their own.
• Concerns about medical expenses or lack of insurance coverage.
• Fear of legal repercussions or involvement in insurance claims.
• Misconceptions about the severity of injuries or the necessity of immediate medical care.

While some people have different reasons to not go to the doctor after a car accident, it is advisable you seek medical attention promptly after a car accident, for your own well-being and legal reasons.

What are the Risks of not Seeing a Doctor After a Car Accident?

In Florida, not seeking medical attention after a car accident can have specific risks:

Delayed diagnosis:

Some injuries may not manifest symptoms immediately but can worsen over time without treatment. Not seeing a doctor promptly can lead to delayed diagnosis and exacerbation of injuries.

Legal consequences:

From a legal standpoint, connecting injuries to the accident can be challenging, especially if there is no immediate medical documentation. This can have a substantial impact on legal proceedings, as insurance companies or opposing parties may argue that the lack of immediate medical attention indicates that the injuries are not severe or that they are unrelated to the accident.

What Is the Florida 14-Day Rule?

Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) law mandates seeking medical care within 14 days of an accident to qualify for benefits. Failure to do so can result in losing eligibility for compensation.

Weakening insurance claim:

Insurance companies may dispute claims if medical records don’t show timely treatment. This could weaken your case for compensation, leaving you responsible for medical expenses.

What is the Recommended Timeline for Seeing a Doctor After a Car Accident in Orlando?

• Within the first 48 hours: Visit a qualified medical professional for a thorough evaluation; they can assess injuries, order diagnostic tests, and create an appropriate treatment plan.
• The following weeks: Continue with follow-up assessment with specialists such as orthopedists, neurologists, or physical therapists, depending on the gravity of your injuries. Regular appointments help monitor the progress of recovery and ensure necessary treatments are provided.

If you’re concerned about financial resources or insurance coverage, explore available options such as Personal Injury Protection insurance coverage or medical payment coverage. An auto justice attorney can also help you in obtaining relevant documentation for a successful personal injury claim.

Possible Compensation After an Auto Accident

To prove fault for an auto accident, investigators consider factors like car positioning, traffic signals, road conditions, witness statements, and damage patterns. Comparing accident details to Florida traffic statutes allows insurance agent investigators to determine which party acted negligently. This is where an accident lawyer comes in handy.

If you are not at fault for a vehicle accident in Florida, you may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages to compensate for your injuries and losses. Economic damages aim to reimburse actual financial losses such as out-of-pocket medical bills and lost income or wages based on evidence provided. The costs of ongoing treatment, auto repairs, and long-term effects must also be addressed; a personal injury lawyer can help maximize the settlement amount to cover all your expenses and losses.

Non-economic damages, on the other hand, compensate for pain and suffering as well as other intangible harms, which are more difficult to assign a dollar value to yet can cover physical and emotional distress following an accident. An experienced car accident attorney can help present compelling evidence and arguments to justify fair and reasonable amounts for non-economic awards during settlement negotiations or in court.

Note: As one of the few U.S. states with a no-fault auto insurance system, Florida mandates that all motorists have Personal Injury Protection coverage on their car insurance policies. PIP insurance provides up to $10,000 for medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who is at fault in a car crash.

The purpose of the no-fault system is to ensure anyone injured has their medical bills paid and lost income replaced through their own policy rather than needing to rely on or sue the at-fault driver. However, even with PIP coverage, injured parties may still be able to sue for pain and suffering or other damages beyond the policy limits if the other driver’s negligence caused severe injuries in an auto accident.

How Long Do You Have to File an Auto Accident Claim in Florida?

The statute of limitations for filing a car accident claim in Florida is generally four years from the date of the crash. This deadline is in place to encourage pursuing compensation while evidence and witness recollections are still fresh. The four-year period applies to both personal injury and property damage claims arising from traffic incidents.

If filing a lawsuit against an insurer or another driver, the statute of limitations clock starts ticking on the day of the accident. However, there is a caveat if the full extent of injuries has yet to be determined; in such cases, the clock doesn’t start until the nature and amount of damages become reasonably ascertainable.

Still, victims are encouraged to notify insurers and gather documentation within weeks or months of an accident to preserve their rights. Should the four-year statute of limitations expire without initiating a personal injury lawsuit, accident victims risk losing their ability to pursue compensation through the legal system. Insurance companies may also refuse payouts on late claims.

A skilled motor accident attorney could assess timeliness concerns, provide guidance on claim deadlines, and potentially argue for statute of limitations extensions if there were mitigating circumstances preventing an earlier filing. Injured individuals can have peace of mind knowing that no legal options will be forfeited due to missed windows of opportunity.

When is it Too Late to Go to the Doctor After a Car Accident?

It’s never truly “too late” to go to the doctor after a car accident, especially if you’re experiencing symptoms or concerns related to the incident. However, under Florida Law you must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident.

Discuss Your Next Steps With an Orlando Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Florida, you should see your doctor even if your injuries are mild. The fact is that you may not immediately realize how severe your injuries are, and being evaluated by a medical professional can prevent complications down the road.

If you have been injured in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence, it is also essential that you consult an experienced Orlando car accident attorney. An attorney will make sure that your rights are protected, and they will work to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

You should not have to go through the aftermath of a serious car accident alone. Auto Justice Attorney Michael T. Gibson is on your side and is ready to help you navigate the process of filing a personal injury claim so that you can focus on your recovery. Contact us today at 407-422-4529 or on our website to schedule a free consultation.