Common Treatment Plans

I have had some questions about treatment plans. Treatment plans do vary by condition and attending doctor. Most do follow a standard format.

1 Day to 2 Weeks Post Accident:

3-5 Visits per week.

3 Weeks to 6 Weeks Post Accident:

2-3 Visits per week.

7 Weeks to 9 Weeks Post Accident:

1-2 Visits per week.

8 Weeks to 12 Weeks Post Accident:

1 Visit per week to 1 visit every two weeks.

At each visit you should be recieving: a range of modalities(Tens/Estim, Traction, Ice/Heat Etc.), a manipulation/mobilization, or a rehabilitaion component.

In later care you will also commonly recieve maybe less modalities and more muscle re-education or physiotherapy components.

Insurance: How it works with your doctor.

We have already talked about the required protection that Florida Law mandates for drivers. Essentially you have $10,000 of protection, but most insurance companies cover on a 80/20 basis. 

So out of pocket your potential responsibility is $2,000 to utilize the $10,000 protection. This money is not needed up front in most cases. As your being treated some doctors or facilities will make you pay a co-payment or deductible. 

Many doctors are going to let the 20% be paid after settlement if you have retained a attorney, if you haven't, many doctors will write off that amount. You need to speak to your doctor about which arrangement they use.

At home after the accident.

As soon as possible you should call your company to initiate a claim, for your car and injuries.

You will now be contacted by your insurance company representatives and adjusters. They will try and manipulate the situation so they can reduce the amount of benefits you use.

The best thing for you to do is to find a injury doctor who takes no-fault cases. Have them request your files from the hospital. They can then do their own exam and asses the full range of your problems, and give you a treatment plan that is going to help your injuries the most.

Now realize by Florida law you have a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection insurance, this is yours to use for your injuries. Many people believe, or are even told that this will increase their insurance or will cause the insurance company to drop their insurance. This is not true, this is a benefit you pay for, that is required by Florida law, and is yours to use. They cannot keep you from using these benefits. This benefit may or may not cover all of your medical expenses.

After seeing the Doctor who will perform your injury treatment and rehabilitation, you should also look for a personal injury attorney to protect your interests. Ask your Doctor, he can often reccommend a good attorney he has delt with before.

The reason for this is it is common for insurance companies to require signed releases to pay medical or car repair bills. This release sometimes can give up all your rights to the no-fault benefits in your policy. It is best to consult with a attorney before you ever think about signing anything the insurance company has provided you. Insurance companies often do not have the accident victim best interest in mind.

Hospital.

You have been taken to the Hospital, probably because you have some pretty obvious injuries the paramedic/fire responders can see, or you have elected to go to make sure your fine after the accident.

If you have suffered a serious injury you will most likely be rushed into a emergency triage room so they can asses the damage and proceed with helping your injuries.

At the Hospital they will have a medical professional examine and take down of what your feeling. 

From there they will perform tests to determine the exact level of your condition.

The Accident.

You have now been in an accident and thoughts are swirling in your head, the questions we touched upon on the previous post.

First don't be hasty to move, just sit and survey the event that has just happened. Ask yourself: Am I alright? 

Can I feel all of my body? 

Is there blood? 

What area of my body is hurting the most?

Can I move without significant increase in pain?

Try to answer all of these questions to yourself.

If you are immobile, experiencing extreme pain in any region of the body. DO NOT MOVE!

Wait for Fire and Rescue to arrive to assist you and take proper precautions to limit the amount of damage to your body. 

The hospital may be the next place for you to go, only you and the professionals on hand can make a decisions if you should seek immediate care.

Post accident thoughts......

Should I go to the hospital? In a ambulance?

I feel fine.  I feel terrible.

I'm at fault? Are they at fault?

My car is ruined. I ruined the other car.

Will my insurance cover this? Will their insurance cover it?

What am I going to do?

We will begin to answer these questions with the next post.

Intro.

I have worked in and around the Florida car wreck maze for 10 years. 

What I see is most people not getting what they deserve. 

You should be able to see a doctor to get treatment for your injuries. You also should get a lawyer, so your interests are protected and not being dictated to you by the insurance company. 

This will be a guide to help you navigate this cut throat battlefield of post accident jungle.