Why You Should Seek Medical
Attention After a Car Accident
You hop in your car on a bright weekend morning out to visit friends and drive along the highway to your destination, and another car slams into you. You feel the impact, and you’re tossed about but restrained by your seatbelt.
You pull over to the side of the road. You don’t feel any real pain or injury, so you exchange information with the other driver and go back on your merry way, not thinking you might need to get examined medically. A week later, the pain is so intense you can hardly walk.
You now figure you need to file a claim under the personal injury protection (PIP) provision of your auto insurance. The company assigns a claims adjuster, who calls you and voices skepticism about your injury. “Why did it take you so long to file a claim?” they may legitimately ask. Your inaction in seeking immediate medical evaluation – may limit or doom your claim.
If you are faced with a similar experience, even though you may not feel immediate pain or notice any bruising, you need to get medically examined as soon as possible. Injuries can be deceiving and can surface hours or days later.
If you or a loved one is in an accident in Altamonte Springs, Florida, contact me immediately at the Law Office Of Mark A. Cornelius, P.A. I proudly serve nearby communities of Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Volusia, and throughout the counties of Lake and Polk. I have been handling personal injury and car accident claims for 25 years. I possess knowledge of Florida’s insurance and personal injury laws, and I will work to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Address Your Pain Before It Begins
When you’re in an auto accident, even with a seat belt, you’re going to feel the impact. Depending on where the other car hits you, you’re in danger of spinal and head injuries.
When confronting the stress of the impact, your body releases an emergency flood of hormones that can dilute the pain. You may feel nothing for hours or even days. Some injuries can even take months before symptoms start showing up.
It is crucial – and the best preventative against the skepticism of insurance companies – to get examined immediately after an accident. An insurance company will expect you to report and substantiate an injury within 72 hours at most.
Your physical well-being is also at stake, which should be your primary reason for seeking medical evaluation even if you feel no immediate pain or discomfort.
Obtaining Needed Medical Documentation
You will also need medical documentation if and when you file a claim under your PIP provision. Gaining documentation is vital to file a claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver. PIP generally covers only $10,000 in medical expenses, and will only reimburse you for 80% of your actual expenses.
If your injuries exceed the $10,000 cap, then you will need to seek the uncovered portion from the at-fault driver. If you wait too long to be examined or lack sufficient documentation, the other party’s insurance company will use it as a resource.
If your injuries are serious enough under Florida auto insurance laws to warrant a personal injury lawsuit, documentation becomes an essential aspect of your claim against the at-fault driver. Remember, the only way to be compensated for pain and suffering is by filing a personal injury lawsuit. PIP does not cover pain and suffering.
Following Through on a Treatment Plan
If your injuries warrant a treatment regimen – medications, physical therapy, rehabilitation, repeat medical consultations, and the like – you need to stick to that plan as well. The insurance company could begin to question the severity or reality of your injuries if you don’t follow the plan prescribed by your physician or medical specialist.
Get the Experienced Legal Guidance You Need
Navigating Florida’s insurance regulations – and dealing with claims adjusters – is not always so simple for the average person. Claims adjusters are notorious for trying to get you to say something they can use against you to lowball or deny your claim.
Get an experienced auto accident/personal injury attorney to deal with the insurance company and adjusters. I have 25 years of experience in handling injury and accident claims. Let me oversee the negotiations and claims process.
At the Law Office Of Mark A. Cornelius, P.A., I proudly serve clients in or near Altamonte Springs and the nearby communities of Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Volusia, and throughout the counties of Lake and Polk.