Car accidents are an alarming experience. If you see it coming, time may feel as though it slows down. Your body instinctively braces and tightens up. When the impact hits, your mind can begin to race. Am I hurt? If there is a passenger, are they ok? How badly has my car been damaged? Will this cause my insurance to go up? You now instantly have gained a whole laundry list of things to consider and deal with. If you are in pain, this process is a lot more difficult to work through.
Directly following an accident, you will likely be speaking with local authorities as well as the EMTs on the ambulance that has been dispatched. You will be asked if you would like to go to the hospital to be checked out to make sure nothing is broken or damaged internally.
That is a personal decision only you can make. Regardless of if you choose to go to the emergency room or not, in Florida, please be aware that you have only 14 days to seek medical treatment for an accident from any and all sources. The claim of injury must be initiated within that time frame or you relinquish your rights legally, to be covered under your insurance’s PIP (personal injury protection) as well as potentially your right to sue for damages the other party involved.
Along with a trip to the ER to be checked for broken or dislocated bones as well as internal injuries it is highly advisable to see your chiropractor as soon after the accident as possible. While you may not have broken anything, even a minor fender bender can knock your body out of alignment and cause soft tissue damage. This includes whiplash which can have devastating effects on the body if not dealt with and corrected in a timely manner.
Soft tissue injuries lead to swelling, inflammation, and pain. Dislocations of the cervical spine can cause headaches and neck pain, lumber misalignments can incite back pain. It is important that they are treated properly to ensure the best healing circumstance possible and get you on the road to recovery.
Never avoid visiting the doctor after an accident for fear of receiving a bill
When you visit your chiropractor, a claim will be initiated through your insurance carrier. You will also want to keep a journal and claim mileage to and from all medically related appointments for reimbursement also through your insurance provider. They will pay your doctor(s) directly in your name. This allows you to get the treatment you need with no upfront out-of-pocket cost.
PIP with no additional medical coverage selected in Florida is valued at $10,000. This can go a long way in getting you back to feeling well again. If you have elected additional medical coverage that can be utilized as well. Should medical bills exceed your allowed coverage amounts you may want to consult with an auto injury attorney as well.
Your health should be your number one concern in an accident.
Here in Fort Myers, Florida at the office of Kaster Chiropractic and Associates, we specialize in auto accident recovery. We offer not only chiropractic care but many alternative adjacent therapies such as decompression, ultrasound, and electro-stimulation as well as therapeutic massage services right in the office. We also work closely with a network of trusted medical doctors to get you the care you need.
Give our office a call today at 239-332-2555 to schedule your appointment. If you have been in an accident, we will do our very best to get you in right away.
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