MIAMI WORK INJURY LAWYERS
Reasons to see a doctor after Florida car accidents
Car accidents are an extremely common occurrence across all states in the U.S. and Florida is no exception. However, whether it is a minor shunt or a serious road traffic collision, being involved in an accident can have serious, debilitating and potentially fatal consequences for the people involved.
One of the biggest mistakes made by people who are involved in a fairly minor accident is failing to get seen by a doctor in the aftermath of the incident. While you may just want to get home, by not receiving medical attention you could be putting yourself at risk of experiencing a number of different problems, not just of the medical variety.
Here are some of the key reasons why you should always get checked out by a doctor after a Florida car accident.
Injuries aren’t always obvious immediately
While some types of injuries sustained in a car accident are obvious and prompt you to seek immediate medical attention, many internal injuries may not be noticeable immediately. Many people go into a state of shock after a vehicle accident and the flood of adrenalin can mask symptoms until hours or even days later. In some instances, pain relating to an injury sustained in a car accident doesn’t appear until a considerable amount of time has passed, and this can make it difficult to connect the problem with a past, undiscovered injury.
Some delayed injuries are more common than others, including:
Headaches, which could indicate a neck, head or brain injury
Neck pain and shoulder stiffness, common symptoms of whiplash
Back pain
Abdominal pain and swelling, which is potentially indicative of internal bleeding
Numbness, tingling or other sensations in the extremities, which could indicate problems with the spinal cord
Changes in behavior and personality, including confusion and forgetfulness, common symptoms of a brain injury
Unless you get checked out by a doctor, you run the risk of your injury becoming much worse or even potentially life-threatening. As such, it is strongly recommended that you get assessed by a professional, even if you feel absolutely fine.
You may not be able to get insurance cover on your medical care if you delay
Most insurance companies have time limits on which medical care they will pay for after an accident. If you delay seeking your initial treatment for more than 72 hours, your auto insurer could potentially claim that your injury was unrelated to the accident and deny coverage. This could leave you with the stress of trying to cover your costs as well as recuperate from your injuries.
Future treatment will be covered
Sometimes the physical effects of a car accident can persist for weeks, months or even years. By seeking immediate treatment in the hours after the collision, your medical provider can successfully link future problems back to the original accident, which will help ensure your medical bills are covered by your insurance.
Support a Worker’s Compensation claim
If you are involved in a car accident in the course of your employment, you may be entitled to Worker’s Compensation. This is a financial benefit paid out to employees who have suffered an accident or sustained injury due to the negligence of their employer. If you can prove that your employer is at fault, for example, you are driving a car that has not been properly maintained, or your vehicle has been hit by another employee at work driving negligently, then you could be able to claim Worker’s Compensation. If you intend on doing this, you will need medical evidence to support your claim. Even if there are no obvious injuries right away, having a medical report will enable later problems to be linked back to the initial accident if appropriate. Not being assessed by a doctor could make it difficult or impossible for you to claim the benefits that you are entitled to.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident, don’t delay in seeking an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible after the incident.
