Medical records can have a profound impact on your car accident case. In fact, they can impact your ability to prove damages and to recover full and fair compensation for your losses.
It is important to try to begin building strong documentation of your injuries as soon as possible after your accident. This means seeing a doctor right away, even if you do not initially feel your symptoms are severe. You will also need to follow your doctor’s treatment plan throughout your claim.
Diaco Law can help you understand how medical records impact your car accident claim. We can also work with you to ensure your records help build your case and to address any gaps or issues that may jeopardize your rights.
To find out more about how a Tampa car accident attorney can help you, give us a call or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation. You can also read on to learn more about how medical records can impact a car accident case and how your attorney can assist you in making sure records issues don’t derail your claim.
How do Medical Records Impact a Car Accident Case?
Medical records can make a substantial impact on your Florida car accident claim because Florida Statutes § 627.737 requires that you show your injuries meet a certain level of severity before you are allowed to pursue a personal injury claim against the other driver for non-economic damages.
This serious injury threshold exists because Florida is a no-fault state, and you are supposed to recover compensation for your minor injuries from your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. You can pursue a personal injury claim against a negligent driver who caused a crash only if your injuries:
- Cause significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function
- Are determined, within a reasonable degree of medical certainty, to be permanent
- Result in significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
- End in death
You can’t just claim you have serious injuries, either. You must be able to demonstrate this with medical records showing both how badly you were hurt and that the injuries occurred because of the auto accident you are holding the defendant responsible for.
Make Sure Your Medical Records Document Your Injuries
It is important that you make decisions throughout your car accident claim to maximize the chances your medical records will help you obtain compensation. Specifically, you should:
- Visit a medical professional as soon as possible after your accident and get a thorough health checkup even if you don’t realize you have been badly hurt. You may have a condition that has delayed-onset symptoms, or your symptoms may be masked by adrenaline from the crash
- Make sure to alert your provider to all symptoms and potential health issues after a collision, even if the injuries seem relatively minor at the time of the incident
- Confirm with your doctor that all of your injuries are included in your medical records, along with details on how the damage to your body is affecting your health
- Follow all of your doctor’s treatment recommendations to show you are taking your injury seriously and to limit additional harm
Diaco Law can help you to understand other steps you may also need to take to make sure your doctor is preparing records that provide strong, compelling evidence of your losses.
Contact a Florida Car Accident Attorney Today
If you or someone you love was hurt in a crash, reach out to Diaco Law today. We’ll help you build the strongest possible claim from day one so you don’t do anything to jeopardize your case. This includes making sure your medical records support your claim so you have the best chance of pursuing justice. Call us today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help.