Should You Seek Medical Care After a Florida Car Accident?

If you’ve recently been involved in a car accident in Florida with no visible injuries or pain, you may be wondering whether or not you should still seek medical attention immediately following the accident.

While some accidents may seem minor, it’s crucial to recognize that not all injuries manifest immediately. Often, individuals involved in auto accidents may feel relatively unscathed due to a lack of visible injuries.

Seeking immediate medical attention after a car accident, even if you have no apparent injuries, is critical for both your health and well being. This also ensures you obtain the necessary medical records should you pursue an insurance or personal injury claim.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident due to another drivers negligence, you should seek immediate legal counsel from an experience Miami car accident attorney.

Brian Elstein has helped recover millions of dollars on behalf of his clients, and understands the importance of aggressively advocating on their behalf.

Contact Elstein Legal today and get a free, no obligation consultation of your case by calling (305) 299-2835 or sending us details of your case through our contact form for an immediate call back.

Why You Should Seek a Medical Evaluation After a Car Accident

Identifying and treating hidden injuries

After a car accident, the body can experience an intense adrenaline rush, leading to an increased heart rate and heightened senses. This natural response can mask pain and hide injuries, giving a false impression of being unharmed.

In a car accident, some injuries may not be immediately visible but can still have serious consequences. These injuries are often referred to as “hidden injuries” or “delayed onset injuries.” Some examples include:

1. Whiplash: A common injury that occurs when the head and neck are forcefully jerked back and forth during a collision. Symptoms may not appear immediately but can develop hours or days after the accident. These include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and reduced range of motion.
2. Concussion: A mild traumatic brain injury resulting from a blow to the head or violent shaking of the upper body. Concussion symptoms may be delayed and can include headache, dizziness, confusion, memory problems, and sensitivity to light or noise.
3. Internal bleeding: Damage to blood vessels or organs inside the body may not be apparent externally. Internal bleeding can be life-threatening if left untreated and may cause symptoms like abdominal pain, dizziness, fainting, or swelling.
4. Soft tissue injuries: Damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons might not be immediately evident. These injuries can cause pain, swelling, and restricted movement.
5. Herniated discs: The impact of a car accident can cause the discs between vertebrae to shift, leading to herniation. This condition may cause back pain, numbness, and weakness in the limbs.
6. Fractures: Some fractures, especially hairline fractures, might not be immediately obvious but can cause increasing pain and swelling as time goes on.
7. Internal organ damage: Organs like the liver, spleen, or kidneys can be injured in a car accident. Symptoms may not be noticeable initially, but they can manifest as pain, tenderness, or abnormal blood test results.
8. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): The emotional trauma of a car accident can lead to PTSD, which may not be apparent immediately but can result in anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, and other psychological symptoms.
9. Nerve damage: Nerves can be compressed or injured during an accident, leading to pain, tingling, or numbness that might not be immediately apparent.
10. Blood clots: Trauma from an accident can increase the risk of blood clots forming, which might not show symptoms until they cause serious complications like deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.

It is crucial to seek medical attention promptly after a car accident, even if you don’t notice any immediate injuries. A thorough examination by a healthcare professional can help identify hidden injuries and prevent potential complications.

Treating injuries early can help prevent long-term complications and chronic pain. Delayed medical attention can exacerbate injuries and cause complications, making it difficult to attribute them directly to the accident when filing a claim for compensation.

Obtaining medical documentation necessary for your claim

Prompt medical attention provides records of your injuries and their severity. This can substantially improve the chances of a successful claim when seeking compensation for medical expenses, and other damages related to your injuries.

Maintain precise records of all pertinent documentation related to your injuries. This may encompass:

1. A detailed journal of events, including doctor visits, pain levels, and treatment plans.
2. Medical bills for all treatments and services received.
3. Receipts for prescriptions and medication expenses.
4. Proof of missed work due to the injury’s impact on your ability to perform job-related tasks.

Florida’s 14-day Personal Injury Protection (PIP) rule: Under Florida’s no-fault system, you have fourteen (14) days to seek medical attention after a car accident. The is a requirement to make a claim for compensation through your no-fault, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. See FLA. STAT. § 627.736

Additionally, a gap between the accident and medical treatment could be exploited by insurance companies to dispute the validity of your claim, arguing that your injuries were unrelated to the collision.