In various types of personal injury cases, including car accidents, physical therapy sessions are required to help victims recover from their injuries. But does physical therapy affect a car accident settlement?
It does but in a positive way. Physical therapy records can be used as evidence to demonstrate the severity and long-term impact of a victim’s injuries. They can also be used as leverage to pursue a higher settlement amount and receive maximum compensation.
Attending prescribed physical therapy sessions is not just a means to prioritize one’s health but also to demonstrate the seriousness of a victim’s injuries. However, you must attend all physical therapy appointments, work with a licensed therapist until you reach maximum medical improvement, get the required physical therapy for your injuries, and present evidence to insurance companies to increase your settlement.
An experienced lawyer can help you get in touch with licensed healthcare professionals who can help you and demand compensation for your injuries, losses, and expenses. At Brown & Gessell, our proven track record of successfully representing injured clients speaks for itself.
Throughout our decades of helping injured car accident victims seek justice and fair compensation for their economic damages and non-economic damages, we have witnessed how physical therapy impacts the healing process and the average car accident settlement case.
Contact our law firm today for a free consultation and let us help you explore your legal options and learn more about therapeutic and rehabilitation services that can benefit your health and your case. Here is what you should know about physical therapy and serious injuries and how attending physical therapy can increase your personal injury settlement.
The Importance of Physical Therapy in the Settlement Process
Physical therapy records will contain comprehensive documentation of the extent of your injuries, the treatments received, and the progress you have made.
Extensive physical therapy sessions are useful in demonstrating the severity of your injuries and the need for ongoing care, as well as showing the long-term impact on your quality of life.
An insurance company will be more likely to award you a higher settlement amount for your personal injuries when you have a strong case supported by thorough physical therapy records.
How Physical Therapy Can Contribute to Faster Recovery
Personal injury lawyers will sometimes recommend physical therapy to their clients. Physical therapists help personal injury victims by providing them with customized regimens tailored to their injuries.
These physical therapy regimens can lead to faster recovery. In personal injury cases, pursuing a fair settlement amount and the time it takes to settle your case depends on how quickly you heal and how the injuries affect your life.
Although physical therapy can result in faster recuperation, it does not negatively affect your case. As you improve your physical function and mobility and regain your pre-accident quality of life, you will learn the settlement amount more quickly.
In a personal injury case, the physical therapy expenses will be covered by the insurance company of the at-fault party. This is also true for all medical expenses and related out-of-pocket costs.
A physical therapist will not only help you determine exactly the extent of your injuries but will also help you understand how long it will take to recover your pre-accident mobility. Their testimony can be used to strengthen your case. If you require legal assistance in a personal injury case, your personal injury attorney will recommend that you attend physical therapy sessions to prioritize your health and strengthen your claim.
Types of Injuries Requiring Physical Therapy
Many car accident victims require physical therapy after their traumatic experiences. The medical treatment and recovery process differs based on the victim and the type of injury they suffered.
Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash injuries can occur in various types of car accidents, including head-on collisions. These types of injuries often cause functional limitations for the victims. Physical therapy for these kinds of injuries includes massage and joint mobilization, as well as therapeutic exercises to improve range of motion, function, and strength.
Musculoskeletal Injuries
In a car accident, some victims will suffer musculoskeletal injuries, which include sprains, strains, fractures, dislocations, or ligament tears. The physical pain associated with these injuries can be quite high, but physical therapy can be used to restore mobility and ease the pain.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
TBIs are among the worst injuries you can suffer, and in a personal injury claim, any medical records that show these types of injuries will boost your settlement value. Physical therapy can be used as documented evidence to show the victim’s reduced cognitive function, balance, and coordination as a result of the accident. This type of therapy can also restore some of the mentioned disabilities.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Victims who suffer from spinal cord injuries will need physical therapy to regain as much functionality as possible. Spinal cord injuries often render victims partially paralyzed. Through physical therapy, victims can focus on mobility and strength so that they can gain some independence in their lives.
Amputations and Limb Loss
Some car accident injuries are so severe that they result in amputations or limb loss. In such situations, victims must adapt to prosthetic devices to help with their movement. Physical therapy can help them with this.
Chronic Pain Conditions
Neuropathic pain or regional pain syndrome is a common chronic pain condition suffered by car accident victims. However, studies have shown that physical therapy and some types of medical treatment have helped patients manage their pain.
Personal Injury Settlement and Physical Therapy
Victims who need physical therapy increase their chances of receiving higher settlement amounts in their personal injury claims since the need for physical therapy is a clear indicator of a serious injury. The physical therapy settlement can include costs for emotional distress, lost wages, medical equipment, therapy sessions, medical bills, and further treatment.
An experienced attorney can help injured car accident victims find a reliable physical therapy provider and protect their rights throughout the legal process. It is important to pursue a claim against the negligent driver before the statute of limitations expires and you should get physical therapy as soon as possible to prioritize your health and recover faster.
Choosing the Right Physical Therapist
Choosing a physical therapist when dealing with a personal injury case is not easy. Some focus more on car accident victims than others. These professionals may have worked with attorneys before and understand the importance of the settlement process.
Such professionals can give comprehensive documentation to support your claim. If you cannot find a reliable physical therapist, ask your lawyer. Personal injury lawyers have networks of third-party experts they regularly work with on numerous personal injury cases.
Your lawyer can help you find a reliable physical therapist to manage your health and help you strengthen your claim so that you can seek a higher settlement amount for your injuries and other losses.
When a victim needs physical therapy, it can strengthen their demand for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and others. Car accidents can result in chronic pain or other disabling or life-altering injuries.
The need for physical therapy shows that your injuries were so severe you required help to restore your mobility and other functions.
Working With a Dedicated Car Accident Lawyer
A car accident lawyer knows how to enhance your car accident settlement and can give you a fighting chance at maximizing your compensation. Car accidents are complex and there are various things that you need to consider to avoid devaluing your claim.
For example, car accident victims who do not seek immediate medical attention after a car crash or those who neglect their medical appointments can have their settlements reduced. The other party and their insurance company can argue that the victim intentionally aggravated their injuries or that they did not seek medical attention since their injuries were not serious enough to require medical treatment or physical therapy.
In a sense, not prioritizing your health is a negligent act and since California follows a pure comparative negligence system, you can be assigned a percentage of fault for your injuries if you aggravate them or do not get them treated in a reasonable amount of time.
When you are assigned a percentage of fault, you will lose some of your total damage awards when the case settles. However, there are many other things that can positively or negatively affect your claim, which is why you should contact a car accident lawyer.
At Brown & Gessell, our law firm has helped victims of car accidents pursue justice and fair compensation for their losses and damages. If you have suffered injuries in a car accident and want to hold the liable parties accountable for their actions or negligence, contact us today.
Our dedicated car accident lawyers can help you with the legal process and help you get adequate medical care. Contact us today for a free case evaluation and learn more about what can influence your personal injury settlement amount.