If you’ve been in a car accident in Florida and feel fine, don’t assume you’re in the clear. Delayed car accident injuries are more common than many people realize, and getting checked by a doctor right away can protect your health and legal rights.
At Hancock Injury Attorneys, we help car accident victims safeguard their insurance benefits. Here’s what you need to know:
Why Injuries Don’t Always Show Up Immediately
After a car crash, certain injuries can take hours or even days to become noticeable. Delayed car accident injuries often include:
- Whiplash
- Concussions and brain injuries
- Soft tissue injuries (muscle, ligament, and tendon damage)
- Spinal injuries, herniated discs
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
Without early treatment, these injuries can worsen over time. That’s why it’s crucial to go to the hospital after an accident and let medical professionals check for hidden damage, even if you feel okay.
Florida’s PIP Law Requires Fast Medical Care
Under Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) law, you must get medical treatment within 14 days after a car accident or else you will lose your $10,000.00 of PIP benefits. It’s called the No-Fault 14-Day Rule. If you experience delayed symptoms but wait too long to see a doctor, you could lose access to insurance benefits to pay for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Other out-of-pocket costs
Delaying care could jeopardize your ability to have medical bills or lost wages paid for by insurance coverage.
How Medical Records Affect Your Injury Claim
Seeking medical attention quickly not only helps your recovery, but it also protects your legal rights. If you wait too long and delayed symptoms appear later, it may be harder to prove the crash caused your injuries.
Immediate medical documentation creates a clear link between the accident and any injuries you suffer. Waiting too long can make it harder to prove your injuries were caused by the crash.
Medical records act as evidence of your injuries. Adjusters, judges, and juries look to your medical records to support your claim of injuries. If a complaint of pain or a symptom is not found in your medical records, you may not be able to prove the extent of your injuries.
Prompt medical records create a clear link between the accident and your injuries, which strengthens:
- Insurance claims
- Personal injury lawsuits
- PIP (Personal Injury Protection) benefits
The “Adrenaline Effect” After an Accident
After a collision, your body floods with adrenaline. This natural response can temporarily block pain and injury symptoms. It’s the body’s "fight or flight" hormone surges, leading to a temporary masking of pain and a heightened sense of alertness.
Many people don’t realize they’re hurt until hours or days later, once the adrenaline wears off. It’s not unusual for us to take calls from new clients who report they didn’t start to feel pain until the next morning or even days later.
Adrenaline acts as a natural painkiller, temporarily numbing pain and allowing individuals to focus on getting to safety. This "stress-induced analgesia" can be deceptive, as people might not realize the extent of their injuries. This is one of the key reasons why delayed car accident injuries are so common — and why getting evaluated early is always smart.
Better Safe Than Sorry: When in Doubt, Get Checked
Even if you think you’re uninjured, visiting an Urgent Care or an ER or even being examined by your primary care doctor gives you peace of mind. It ensures that hidden injuries don’t go untreated and that your legal rights are preserved.
Hancock Injury Attorneys is Here to Help
At Hancock Injury Attorneys, we understand how delayed injuries affect your life and your case. If you’ve been in a Florida car accident, call us today for a free consultation at 813-915-1110. We’re here to help you get the care and compensation you deserve.