There are many different types of auto accidents that occur. Some crashes are fatal and others are very serious producing catastrophic results immediately. However, some traffic accidents in Sarasota don’t produce injuries for days or weeks following the crash, as the injuries take a while to manifest.
As Sarasota accident attorneys, we always encourage everyone involved in crashes to go to the emergency room or schedule a doctor’s appointment to get checked out after a wreck to protect their health; however, it is now more important than ever before to see a doctor immediately after a car accident, even if victims are unsure that they are injured.
Why the Urgency?
Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage was recently revised— changing the time frame that injured victims have to see a doctor to have access to their own medical benefits. The new law will go into effect on January 1, 2013, and will require a person involved in any traffic accident to see a doctor within 14 days of the date of the accident. If that person does not get checked out by a doctor during that time frame, then he or she will not be entitled to any PIP medical benefits.
The reason this law was passed is to crack down on insurance fraud; however, these changes will also make it harder for legitimate injured accident victims to recover medical benefits—benefits for which they have been paying their insurance companies.
Although the required minimum of $10,000 in PIP coverage hasn’t changed, the new elements include:
- You are required to see a doctor within 14 days of the date of your accident
- You are only allowed access to 25 percent of your $10,000 ($2,500) benefits to cover your medical bills
- You will have to fight to get access to your full $10,000 in benefits
- Your injuries must be identified as having an “emergency medical condition” in order for you to get full benefits
- You are required to notify police of a traffic accident so that a police report is taken
- There are limits on chiropractic care
- You may be required to see certain doctors
- You may incur insurance company interrogations
- You may not get your medical benefits for 60 days
If you have been in a car accident, do yourself a favor and get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. It is best for your health and best for your potential recovery. If you need help getting access to your medical benefits, please call the Sarasota auto accident attorneys at Mallard Perez for a free consultation today at 888-409-3805. Also, be sure to fill out our website form to receive a free copy of our book What You Need to Know After a Florida Auto, Truck or Bike Accident.
