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Jul
2020

How Long Do You Have to Seek Medical Attention After an Injury in Florida?

on  Personal Injury

Every year, thousands of people are victims of personal injury accidents in Florida. From car accidents to slips and falls, people face many challenges as a result of their injuries. If you were a victim of a personal injury accident, you know how important it is to get checked by a medical professional. This is especially true and critical if you consider filing a claim against those responsible for your injuries and losses. How long should you wait to get medical assistance after your injuries in Florida?

How Long Do I Have to Get Medical Attention for My Injuries in Florida?

If you have been a victim of a personal injury in Florida, such as a car accident or truck accident, you will likely need medical attention. The extent of your medical care will largely depend on the extent of your injuries. Whatever your situation may be, you should not wait for an extended period after your accident to call for medical help. Seeking medical attention is crucial not only to rule out any health issues and medical complications but also to comply with any legal deadlines.

For instance, Florida has a personal injury protection (PIP) 14-day rule. Under this rule, you must get checked by a doctor within 14 days of the occurrence of your car accident. If you were involved in a car accident in Florida and suffered severe injuries, you need to act within 14 days to get compensation. This serves to show the importance of moving quickly after being involved in an accident.

The same principle may apply to any situation in which you may be a victim of a personal injury accident. Getting medical attention is essential to every personal injury claim in Florida. Your medical records should reflect the severity of your injuries, any treatment you may have received, and any other future treatment you may need. All of this information can help you in any future claim. However, getting your medical treatment soon after your personal injury accident is critical. It is always in your best interest to act quickly and make sure you don’t miss any deadlines that may compromise your ability to fight for compensation.

What’s the Importance of Seeking Medical Attention After an Injury in Florida?

Your medical records are essential to any claim you may have after your personal injury. However, in order to get medical records that reflect the extent of your injuries, you need to act quickly. You must get medical attention immediately after an accident. If you are medically able to do so, you should contact 9-1-1 and request immediate medical assistance.

Waiting for too long to notify your injuries can risk your credibility as a victim. You should keep in mind that the liable parties in your case may raise arguments against you if you wait too long to get medical attention. For instance, if you don’t get medical assistance right after your accident, the other party may argue that your injuries are part of a pre-existing condition and not a direct result of your accident. This may sound hard to believe, but this type of argument can put your claim at risk. The best way to protect the legitimacy of your claim against harmful arguments from the other party is to act quickly after your accident and get medical attention as soon as possible.

Another reason to act quickly after your accident is that your records on your follow-up treatment or continuing medical assistance may be crucial to your case. Part of your recovery process may require you to go through rehabilitation, surgery, and special medical equipment use. Your doctor might also give you special instructions on how to handle your injuries and what you should do moving forward. Meeting every follow-up treatment is also essential to your claim. All of these elements come together as part of filing a claim on time. The faster you act, the better your standing when filing your claim, and the better your chance at challenging any arguments from the liable parties.

Getting Compensation Quickly After an Injury in Florida

If you got injured in an accident in Florida, you will likely try to get compensation for your losses. However, this all circles back to receiving medical attention on time. Your medical bills – and other losses – are tied to your ability to file your claim within the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations sets a time limit to the filing of your claim. If you miss this legal deadline, your case may be dismissed, and with it, your chance to get compensation. But, how are the statute of limitations and getting medical assistance related?

Suppose you were involved in a car accident. Under Florida law, part of your claim requires you to get medical attention and comply with the statute of limitations. If you were involved in a car accident in Florida, you have up to two years from the moment of your crash to file your claim with the court. This two-year period includes everything after your crash, such as the time it takes to get medical attention and any other treatment.

While you may think four years is enough time to take care of your injuries and file your claim, there is no way to tell how long the recovery process will take. It is in your best interest to retain the services of a skilled Florida personal injury attorney.

Personal Injury Attorney Offering Free Consultations in Florida

Facing the aftermath of an accident can be challenging for most personal injury victims. However, there are ways to get compensation and set yourself up to recovery. Our Florida personal injury attorneys at Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA understand the challenges you may be facing after your accident. We can provide you with the legal assistance you need to fight for the compensation you deserve. To learn more about all of our services in a free, confidential consultation, call our law offices today at (305) 694-2676.