One of the biggest concerns for a Florida crash victim is who will give them medical care after a crash. Naturally, most people want to go to their regular doctor whom they’ve been going to for years and whom they are comfortable with. However, many times, the patient is told over the phone or at the front desk that they cannot be given an appointment simply because they were in a crash. Because this doesn’t seem fair, and because the person is hurt, many people question why their own doctors will not see them after a car crash, especially when they have a long-standing relationship with the doctor and because in general, doctors are supposed to help people. However, if you explore the issue further, you may understand why the average medical practice does not treat crash victims.
The most common reason that a medical practice does not want to treat a patient that was in a crash is because they do not want to deal with lawyers and insurance companies. For example, if a doctor treats a patient and that patient’s case later goes to trial, the defense lawyer may want to take the deposition of that doctor to find out various things about the care and treatment offered to the patient, the doctor’s opinions about the cause of the injuries and the extent of the injuries and other related pieces of information. However, many doctors simply don’t have the time or the willingness to have to undergo a deposition or an appearance at trial period for that reason they choose not to get involved. Second, many of these practices are not accustomed to billing personal injury “PIP” insurance claims and are only set up to bill health insurance. Therefore, there is an unfamiliarity with the way they would be getting paid. Third, in personal injury cases “causation” of injuries must be proven. In other words, the person that has been injured has to prove that the injury event they experienced, whether it was a fall or a car crash or something else, actually caused their injuries. While it may seem obvious that your crash caused your injuries, many people are surprised to find out that insurance companies challenging your injuries will point to your prior medical history or some other event as the “cause” of your injuries. Most doctors do not have to determine causation as a component of their treatment as an everyday factor in their medical practice. Instead, their job is to simply make their patient better, not necessarily to determine the specific cause of what they are trying to make better. Therefore, the doctor may feel uncomfortable with what would be required of them if he or she begin to treat a patient who was going to bring a lawsuit.
Do not kid yourself, this is as much of a problem in West Tampa as it is in Carrollwood, Brandon or Spring Hill. However, this does not mean that you will not be able to find treatment for your injuries as there are many quality medical providers in Hillsborough County and beyond thaty specialize in treating car crash victims, so do not despair. We would be happy to help you navigate this issue, but do not wait too long. Aside from health reasons, you are required to have your first medical appointment within fourteen (14) days after a crash to be able to use the limits of your available PIP insurance, so do not delay.
I Worry About My Parents Driving in Tampa. What Should I Tell Them to do if they have a crash?
We all worry about our parents on the road as they get older. Especially if they are in high-traffic areas like Dale Mabry, Memorial Highway, Columbus Drive or Habana Avenue here in Tampa, we know that the chances of them having a wreck in one of these areas increases significantly every day just due to the sheer number of people that are moving into Tampa on a monthly basis. I have personally been on the receiving end of post-crash call of a family member and I know the fear and anxiety that sets in when those first words are spoken. Trying to keep a clear head in that situation is difficult, trust me. So its better to arm your parents or other elderly family members with information BEFORE they hit the road.
The most important thing that they need to understand is that they must be constantly vigilant. Remind them to scan intersections and parking lots regularly, especially at major intersections, as intersectional collisions account for a great majority of auto accidents in Florida. The second best piece of advice is to call 911 after a crash even if someone else has said that they are calling so that they can absolutely ensure that police, fire or rescue services are sent to them immediately. The third most important thing for Mom, Dad or your Abuela to know is that they should not get out of their vehicle and wander around on the road unless they absolutely must do so for some reason to protect their safety, such as the car smoking from the engine compartment or a visible fire. Sometimes, elderly drivers are confused after a crash not only due to their age but also due to potential concussion- type issues or other injuries that cause them to get out and walk around in traffic. This is clearly unsafe and could result in further injury or even death. Elderly drivers must know that they have to stay in their vehicles and safe unless there is something highly dangerous in staying in the car. The fourth thing that an elderly driver should do is keep their windows up and not interact with the other driver until the rescue team or police arrive on scene. With all the incidents of road rage in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Hernando, Citrus and all surrounding areas in Tampa Bay, we must be on guard these days against those people that simply cannot handle their emotions after a car crash.
Of course, you should also be evaluating how safe it is for your elderly parents or family members to continue driving. Take a ride with them to grab coffee or go to the grocery store. Keep an eye on how well they maintain their lane, comply with the speed limit, follow the traffic signals and signage and interact with vehicles around them on the roadway. While giving up driving privileges is certainly a further loss of independence that may lead to some very uncomfortable conversations, it will save you a lot of heartache later on if you can prevent that family member from being on the road if they are a danger to themselves or to others.