You’ve just been in a car accident. Maybe you feel a little sore, but nothing seems too serious. You figure you’ll wait and see how you feel in a day or two before deciding whether to see a doctor.

This is one of the most common—and costly—mistakes accident victims make.

If you have injuries, pain, or any problems after an accident, you’re better off seeking medical care right off the bat. Here’s why waiting even a short time can hurt both your health and your ability to recover compensation.

Florida’s 14-Day Rule: A Critical Deadline

In Florida, there’s a law that requires anyone injured in a crash to take certain steps within 14 days. If you fail to do so, you may be prevented from making a claim or receiving the insurance benefits you’ve been paying for.

Specifically, to access your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits for medical care, you must initiate treatment within 14 days of the crash.

If you wait until day 15 to see a doctor, you could forfeit your entire PIP coverage—up to $10,000 in medical benefits that you paid for through your insurance premiums. Gone. Simply because you waited too long.

Don’t Wait Until Day 14

While the law gives you 14 days, we strongly recommend not waiting anywhere near that long. The sooner you seek treatment, the better—for multiple reasons we’ll explain below.

Think of the 14-day window as an absolute deadline, not a target. Ideally, you should see a doctor within hours or days of your accident, not weeks.

Insurance Companies Use Delays Against You

Here’s something many accident victims don’t realize: an insurance company will use any delay in seeking treatment to argue against you later.

Even if you wait only two days before seeing a doctor, the insurance company may use that gap to question the severity of your injuries. Their argument goes something like this:

“If you were really hurt, you would have sought treatment on the same day as the crash. The fact that you waited shows your injuries aren’t that serious.”

This argument is unfair—and often medically inaccurate—but insurance adjusters and defense attorneys use it all the time. The longer you wait, the stronger their argument becomes.

How Delays Are Used to Reduce Your Compensation

When negotiating a settlement or presenting your case to a jury, the insurance company will point to any gap in treatment as evidence that:

  • Your injuries weren’t caused by the accident
  • Your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim
  • You must have been injured doing something else
  • You’re exaggerating your pain and symptoms

By seeking treatment immediately, you create a clear medical record that connects your injuries directly to the accident—making it much harder for the insurance company to dispute your claim.

You May Have Injuries Don’t Always Hurt Right Away

One reason people delay treatment is that they don’t feel seriously injured at the scene. This is completely normal—and potentially dangerous.

After an accident, your body releases adrenaline and endorphins that can mask pain and other symptoms. You might walk away from a crash feeling fine, only to wake up the next morning barely able to move.

Common injuries that often have delayed symptoms include:

  • Whiplash—neck pain, stiffness, and headaches may not appear for 24-72 hours
  • Concussions and traumatic brain injuries—symptoms can develop gradually over days
  • Soft tissue injuries—damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons may worsen over time
  • Internal bleeding—can be life-threatening and may not show obvious symptoms initially
  • Herniated discs—back pain may increase as inflammation develops

A medical professional can identify injuries that you might not even know you have. Early diagnosis means early treatment—which often leads to better outcomes and faster recovery.

Best Way To Ensure Documenting Your Injuries Properly

Medical records created immediately after an accident serve as crucial evidence in your case. They establish:

  • When your injuries occurred—linking them directly to the accident
  • The nature and severity of your injuries—documented by a medical professional
  • Your symptoms and complaints—recorded while fresh in your memory
  • Recommended treatment—showing what care you actually need

Without prompt medical documentation, you’re left trying to prove your injuries with little more than your own word—which the insurance company will challenge at every turn.

Where to Seek Treatment After An Accident

If you’ve been in an accident, you have several options for seeking immediate medical care:

Emergency Room

If you have serious injuries, difficulty breathing, severe pain, or any symptoms that concern you, go to the emergency room immediately. Call 911 if needed.

Urgent Care

For injuries that need prompt attention but aren’t life-threatening, an urgent care clinic can provide same-day evaluation and treatment.

Your Primary Care Doctor

If you can get an appointment quickly (within a day or two), your regular doctor can evaluate your injuries and refer you to specialists if needed.

Specialists

Depending on your injuries, you may need to see orthopedists, neurologists, chiropractors, or physical therapists. Your initial treating physician can provide referrals.

The most important thing is to be seen by someone as soon as possible. Don’t let scheduling difficulties become an excuse to delay—find whatever option gets you evaluated fastest.

What to Tell Your Doctor After An Accident

When you see a medical provider after an accident, be thorough and honest about:

  • How the accident happened
  • All symptoms you’re experiencing, even minor ones
  • Where you feel pain or discomfort
  • Any changes in how you feel since the accident
  • Your medical history and any pre-existing conditions

Don’t downplay your symptoms or try to “tough it out.” Everything you tell your doctor becomes part of your medical record—and that record is evidence in your case.

Following Through with Treatment

Seeking immediate treatment is just the first step. It’s equally important to:

  • Follow your doctor’s recommendations—attend all appointments and follow prescribed treatments
  • Don’t skip appointments—gaps in treatment give insurance companies more ammunition
  • Keep all medical records and bills—you’ll need documentation of every expense
  • Be honest about your progress—report both improvements and setbacks to your providers

Consistent treatment creates a clear picture of your injuries and recovery, making it harder for the insurance company to minimize your claim.

Don’t Let Cost Be a Barrier To Seeking Treatment After An Accident

Some accident victims delay treatment because they’re worried about medical bills, especially if their PIP benefits are exhausted or they don’t have health insurance.

While we understand these concerns, delaying treatment almost always makes things worse—both for your health and your case. An attorney can help you understand your options for getting the treatment you need, including:

  • Maximizing your PIP benefits
  • Using health insurance as secondary coverage
  • Finding providers who work on a lien basis (payment after settlement)
  • Pursuing compensation from the at-fault driver to cover your medical expenses

The Bottom Line

If you’ve been injured in an accident, seek medical care immediately. Don’t wait to see if symptoms develop. Don’t assume you’re fine because you don’t feel serious pain right away. And definitely don’t let Florida’s 14-day deadline sneak up on you.

Prompt medical treatment protects your health, documents your injuries, and strengthens your ability to recover fair compensation for what you’ve been through.

Contact Us For A Free Consultation 

At The Lowman Law Firm, we’ve seen how delays in treatment can impact accident victims’ claims. We’re here to help you navigate the process—from understanding your medical options to fighting for the compensation you deserve.

If you’ve been in an auto accident, don’t wait to get help. Our team offers free case evaluations, and we work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

With offices across the region, we’re never far away:

Contact us today for a free consultation. You’re our neighbor, not a number—and we’re here to fight for you.

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