After a car accident, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Between dealing with insurance companies, vehicle repairs, and the emotional toll you endure in the aftermath, medical treatment can feel like just another item on a growing to-do list. But your doctor’s input isn’t just important for your health—it also plays a major role in how your car accident injury claim is documented and evaluated.

In Florida, where no-fault insurance laws apply, the care you seek and how it’s documented can affect what compensation you receive. Seeing a doctor as soon as possible—and asking the right questions—can help protect both your health and your legal rights.

This guide outlines the most important questions to ask your doctor after a car accident in Florida and explains how those answers can impact your recovery and your case.

Why Is It Important to Ask Your Doctor the Right Questions?

Medical visits after a car accident serve two purposes. First, they help diagnose and treat any physical injuries. Second, they establish a medical record that may be reviewed by insurance companies, attorneys, or courts.

Florida law requires that you seek medical treatment within 14 days of the crash to qualify for PIP benefits under the state’s no-fault insurance law (Fla. Stat. § 627.736). Missing this window could mean losing access to up to $10,000 in medical coverage. That’s why it’s so important to get medical attention quickly and ask the right questions while you’re there.

The questions you ask your doctor not only help you understand your own health but also ensure your treatment records clearly support your car accident claim, should you need to file one.

What Type of Injuries Do I Have?

Start with the basics. Ask your doctor to identify and explain every injury you’ve sustained. Some injuries, like broken bones or lacerations, are obvious. Others—such as whiplash, soft tissue damage, or internal injuries—may not be apparent right away but can worsen over time.

Understanding the full extent of your injuries helps you plan for recovery and ensures your injuries are documented in your medical records—a key part of any car accident injury claim.

How Were These Injuries Likely Caused?

One of the most important questions to ask is whether your doctor believes your injuries were caused by the car accident. Insurance companies may try to argue that your condition was pre-existing or unrelated to the crash. If your physician can provide a professional opinion linking your injuries to the accident, it strengthens your claim.

Ask your doctor to document this connection explicitly in their notes.

Will I Need Follow-Up Treatment or Specialist Care?

Florida PIP laws typically cover up to $10,000 in medical expenses, but this limit may be reached quickly if you need imaging (like MRIs), physical therapy, chiropractic care, or visits to specialists such as orthopedic surgeons or neurologists.

Ask your doctor about the full scope of expected treatment. Will you need surgery? Physical therapy? Pain management? Knowing this helps ensure your care is continuous and also helps your car accident attorney project the total cost of your injury-related expenses.

How Long Will It Take to Recover After The Car Accident?

While no doctor can give a perfectly accurate recovery timeline, getting an estimate is still helpful. It helps you plan your time off work and understand what activities you’ll need to avoid during recovery.

It’s also useful from a legal perspective. If your injuries are expected to have long-term or permanent consequences, that could increase the value of your claim. Your doctor may also provide a prognosis regarding whether you’ll make a full recovery or suffer from lasting impairment.

Will I Be Able to Return to Work?

If you’ve missed time from your job because of your injuries, you’ll want your doctor to note any work restrictions, limitations, or disability in writing. These notes become important when seeking compensation for lost wages.

Ask your doctor:

• Can I return to work?
• Are there limits on what I can do?
• How long will those restrictions last?

Even if you’re working in a limited capacity, that may still qualify you for compensation if you’re earning less than you were before the accident.

What Symptoms Should I Watch Out For?

Not all injuries surface immediately. Some symptoms can take days or weeks to develop. Concussions, spinal injuries, and internal trauma may appear delayed.

Ask your doctor:

• What warning signs should I look for?
• When should I return for follow-up care?
• Are there red flags that signal my condition is getting worse?

This not only protects your health but also ensures you’re receiving care at the right time. Waiting too long to report new symptoms can give insurers a reason to deny or limit your claim.

Can I Get Copies of My Medical Records?

Always ask for a copy of your medical records, imaging results, prescriptions, and doctor’s notes. Your car accident lawyer will need these documents to build a strong case.

In Florida, you are legally entitled to obtain your medical records under Fla. Stat. § 456.057. While some providers may charge a small fee, they are required to provide access upon request. Your lawyer can also help gather and organize these records if you’re unsure how to go about it.

Should I Be Seeing Another Type of Doctor?

If your injuries are complex, you may need a referral to a specialist. Primary care doctors and emergency room physicians can only do so much. If you’re still in pain, not progressing in recovery, or dealing with specific injuries like nerve damage, a referral could improve your outcome and your documentation.

Ask your doctor directly:

• Do I need to see a specialist?
• What type of specialist should I see?
• Will you make a referral for me?

How Does Car Accident Injuries Affect My Future Health?

Some car accident injuries never fully heal. Chronic pain, reduced mobility, or cognitive changes after head trauma may persist for years. If your doctor anticipates any permanent effects, it’s important to have those noted clearly in your medical record.

Florida law allows you to seek compensation for pain and suffering, especially if you suffer from a permanent injury. A doctor’s evaluation is often a key piece of evidence in proving long-term harm.

Should I Continue Taking My Medications?

Many patients forget to ask about their prescriptions—what they’re for, how long they’ll need them, and what side effects might occur. This can be especially important if your medications interfere with your ability to work, drive, or perform other activities.

Ask questions like:

• What does this medication do?
• Are there side effects I should report?
• How long will I need to take it?

Your recovery plan should include not just the treatment itself but also an understanding of how it affects your daily life and legal case.

The 14-Day Rule in Florida: Why Timing Matters

Under Florida’s no-fault system, you must seek medical treatment within 14 days of your car accident to qualify for PIP benefits. This doesn’t just apply to emergency room visits—it includes care from a qualified physician, osteopathic doctor, chiropractor, or hospital.

Missing this window can jeopardize your access to benefits—even if your injuries seem minor at first. That’s why seeing a doctor promptly and asking the right questions matters.

Call Brandon J. Broderick For Legal Help

Navigating a car accident injury claim in Florida can be overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, we work with accident victims across Florida to help them get the care they need and the compensation they deserve.

From understanding your injuries to dealing with insurance companies, we’ll guide you through the process with clear answers and strong legal support. If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, don’t wait. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Let us help you protect your health—and your rights.