Your health is your first priority if you were injured in a car accident, so it is critical to seek appropriate medical care to get you on the road to recovery. At the same time, obtaining proper treatment is also an important factor for any claim you may have against the responsible driver. The other motorist’s insurance company is always looking for reasons to refuse to pay compensation, and your failure to arrange necessary medical care is at the top of the list. An experienced Florida car accidents attorney can advise you on the details, but you should generally follow a few rules on how to approach medical care.
Emergency Care: In some cases, it will be obvious that you need treatment at the emergency room and you will most definitely receive ER care if you were unconscious after the crash. In other situations, you may hesitate to seek emergency treatment. This is a mistake that affects your health and your claim. Therefore, you should call 911 if you experience:
- Severe pain;
- Difficulty breathing;
- Dizziness or confusion;
- Extreme bleeding;
- Deep lacerations;
- Bone fractures;
- Limited physical movements;
- Head, neck, or back trauma; or,
- Any other symptoms that, if experienced by someone else, you would insist upon emergency care.
Visit Your Own Primary Care Physician: If you do not require emergency care, you should follow up by scheduling an appointment with your regular doctor – even if you think your injuries are minor or you do not think you were hurt at all. Your physician can conduct an examination to check for any injuries that do not show symptoms right away, such as concussion, internal bleeding, whiplash, and other soft tissue injuries. Left undiagnosed and untreated, these medical issues can become life-threatening in a matter of days.
If you are experiencing symptoms, your doctor can also refer you to a specialist to take a closer look at your injuries. General practitioners may not have the specialized medical knowledge for more detailed systems of the human body, whereas a specialist who focuses on one area would possess necessary in-depth expertise.
Working with Medical Specialists: The role of a specialist is to conduct a physical examination and review your injuries, whether to formulate an exact diagnosis or determine what – if any – additional treatment is necessary. A specialist may conduct lab and imaging tests, including x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and others.
The entire course of treatment can take time and your recovery may be extensive. For this reason, it is always important to bear in mind Florida’s four-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. You do not want to put your rights at risk by delaying treatment.
Talk to a Knowledgeable Ocala, FL Car Accidents Attorney About Your Rights
For more information on the ways you can preserve your rights after a Florida auto crash, please call Piccin & Glynn, Attorneys at Law to schedule a free consultation. You can reach our Ocala, FL office by calling 352-558-8480 or checking us out online.