If you have ever been involved in a car accident in Boynton Beach, Florida, then you might be familiar with the thousands of steps that come after, including the doctor visits.
Car accidents entail far more than the bang-up and finding a way to be compensated for your losses. You will likely have lots of questions that pop up about what to do and where to go after your wreck.
If you’ve been wondering about the rules and regulations about who to see for medical assistance after your wreck, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know about being medically treated after a car accident and why those records can be vital for your case.
Yes, You Can See Your Own Doctor
Florida already has certain limits in place when it comes to car accidents, such as the requirement to file with your insurance company first before you consider filing a lawsuit.
But what about who you can see medically?
Medical visits are a normal accident occurrence even if you have no visible cuts or bruises. There is no requirement or limit on who you can see to check you out after your accident. So, yes, you can see your own doctor.
No matter who you go to, it’s important to let them examine you so that your injuries are filed and can be used later if you’re eligible to file a third-party claim. All doctors are typically unbiased and professional, but if your case starts to get complex, you might be required to see another doctor as a part of the claims review process. For example, when you file an insurance claim.
Advice On Doctor Visits After Car Accidents
While you can see your own doctor, it’s important to know that your primary care doctor might not be available right when you need them and could have openings days or weeks later. When it comes to being medically examined, you should never wait too long. Not only could this be bad for your health, but it could also make your case look bad.
In that case, you should always go straight to the doctor or hospital if you are suffering from serious injury after a car accident. There are always emergency room doctors and urgent care for extreme cases. Also, your primary care might even refer you to a specialist instead of seeing you for car accident-related injuries.
If you happen to see a medical professional that is not your primary doctor, your medical records will still indicate the severity of your injuries and how you sustained them. It will benefit your case to have these records even if they are filed by someone other than your known doctor.
What To Do After Your Doctor Visit
The first thing you should do after your doctor visit is find a Boynton Beach Car Accident Lawyer to help you with your case. Some people want to put this off until they believe they have a lawsuit they can file, but that may not be the case. On the contrary, your lawyer can help you determine whether you have a case and what to do next.
Once you have your doctor visit completed, it’s time to file a claim with your insurance company to prove your injuries and losses from the accident. While this seems like something you could handle yourself, having a lawyer file the claim for you can be better from the start.
Many times, residents who file a claim with their insurance by themselves say something unknowingly that harms their case. Meaning, you could say something that gives the insurance company room to lower your settlement.
After your doctor visit and filing a claim with your insurance, it’s all a waiting game until your insurance approves your claim and comes back with an offer. In the meantime, you can discuss with your lawyer further steps you should take until you hear back from your company.
If the first settlement ends up being too low, your attorney can negotiate a higher settlement with your medical records and review how your company handled the investigation process.
Why You Should Never Avoid Medical Attention
You should never avoid seeking medical attention for several big reasons. First, you might have more severe injuries you’re unaware of that go unnoticed. Even if your accident seemed to be “minor,” you could have internal injuries that appear later that could have been treated or documented. For the sake of your health, have a medical professional examine you to make sure there are no major concerns to be worried about.
The other reason is that waiting to see a doctor could hurt the validity of your claim with your insurance or lawsuit. There is a timeline in Florida for a person to file a claim after a car accident within two years from the date of the crash. The longer you wait, the more it will reflect on you and appear that your accident was not as severe as it is.
Waiting could cause a reduction in settlement figures with your insurance company and it can also look bad in front of a jury if your case makes it that far. For the sake of your compensation and validity, seek medical attention immediately! Even if you have minor injuries.
Get Help with Your Claim
It can be confusing to know what to do with your medical records and injuries after a car accident. That’s where a Boynton Beach Car Accident Lawyer steps in and saves the day.
Hiring a car accident lawyer can be one of the best things for your case. An attorney can review your medical records and give you advice on how to proceed. Also, if your insurance company happens to deny your claim or offer you a settlement that does not help your healing at all, they can push harder to get you a higher settlement.
A lawyer can also review the extent of your injuries and figure out if your case meets the requirement to step out of the no-fault system and file a third-party claim. A resident must suffer from a serious injury or have exceeding medical bills after a car accident in order to be able to file a lawsuit against the other driver.
You can have the assistance you need for an insurance claim or a lawsuit with an attorney on your side.
Speak With an Attorney Today
Car accidents can be confusing and overwhelming. That’s why we want to help.
The team at Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers is here for you in your car accident case. Our firm has been in practice for over forty years helping residents of Boynton Beach, Florida and other surrounding areas find solace and justice in these difficult times (by appointment).
We would love to hear more about your case and discuss ways we can help. If you’re ready to partner with an exceptional attorney, give us a call at (561) 800-8000 or leave your contact information in our case evaluation form online.
Don’t let more time pass you by in the two years you have to file a claim. Seek the extra compensation you deserve today with us helping you in every step of your journey.