What to Do if You Cannot Work After a Florida Car Accident
A Florida car accident can turn your life upside down, especially when it keeps you from earning a paycheck. In Florida, many accident victims end up missing work for days, weeks, or sometimes even months while they recover. And sadly, some people aren’t able to return to their old jobs at all.
When your medical bills keep piling up, and you’re not getting paid, the stress can feel unbearable. If you can’t work after your accident, there are some key steps you should take to protect your health, finances, and legal rights.
Seek Prompt Medical Attention
First, get medical help right away. Your health should always come first, even if you feel okay at first. Sometimes injuries such as concussions, back injuries, and soft tissue damage don’t show up until later. And in Florida, you usually need to seek treatment within 14 days to qualify for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits. Getting prompt medical care doesn’t just help you heal. It also provides you with records that can help you prove the severity of your injuries and that they resulted from the accident.
Follow Your Doctor’s Recommendations
If your injuries are keeping you off the job, follow your treatment plan closely. Show up for appointments, physical therapy, or any treatment your doctor recommends.
Insurance companies are always looking for ways to minimize or deny claims. Missing appointments or ignoring medical advice can give them ammunition to argue your injuries aren’t that serious. Additionally, following your doctor’s orders supports your recovery.
Inform Your Employer
If you can’t return to work after a car accident, let your employer know as soon as possible, and keep them updated on your condition and any restrictions. Depending on your situation, you may qualify for:
- Sick leave
- Vacation pay
- Short-term disability benefits
- Family and Medical Leave Act protections
Understand Your Right to Recover Lost Wages
It’s important to understand your rights to compensation for lost wages. Under Florida law, PIP insurance can cover part of your lost income (60%). If someone else caused the crash and your injuries are serious enough, you can pursue additional compensation by filing a personal injury claim. A personal injury claim can help you recover compensation for your full lost wages, future lost income, and even reduced earning capacity.
Be Careful With Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters often try to downplay your injuries or push you to settle quickly. However, it’s crucial that you avoid settling fast. The full extent of your injuries and damages may not be clear at the early stages of your claim.
Before you accept any offer, make sure you understand your future medical needs, how much time you’ll need to heal, and potential income loss.
Speak With an Attorney
If you cannot work after a Florida car accident, a skilled car accident attorney can help protect your rights, gather evidence, calculate lost income and other losses, deal with insurance companies, and fight for compensation that covers both present and future damages.
Contact a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney
If you are unable to work after a Florida car accident, an experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney at The Pendas Law Firm can help you explore your options and pursue compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, and the long-term financial impact of your injuries and recovery.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Ocala, Orlando, Miami, Tampa, Daytona Beach, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Bradenton, Jacksonville, Naples, and Melbourne areas.
Source:
flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports/crash-dashboard/