Do I Need To See A Doctor Within 14 Days Of An Accident?

You are required to obtain medical care within 14 days if you suffer injuries in an auto accident in Florida. If you fail to do so, you take the risk of your insurance company outright denying your claim. Florida’s no-fault insurance law requires medical attention within 14 days. This law states that an insurance policy must cover at least 80% of a victim’s medically necessary care if the individual receives their initial medical care within 14 days of the accident. If you comply with this rule, you may receive the following benefits:

• Up to $10,000 of medical and/or disability benefits
• Up to $5,000 of death benefits
• Up to 80% coverage for surgeries, x-rays, or rehabilitative services
• Up to 80% coverage for ambulatory fees, hospital stays, or nursing care

Failing to receive any medical care within 14 days of the auto accident gives your insurance company the right to deny all medical benefits. The law allows insurance companies to withhold any and all compensation for medical care, if the policyholder fails to receive medical care within the 14-day time limit.

The 14-day rule in Florida exists for many reasons. First and foremost, it is meant to prevent insurance fraud. The rule would allow an auto insurance company to deny all medical benefits if someone injured themselves in another incident but tried to blame the injury on a car accident that happened three weeks ago. Immediate medical care is the best way to document and diagnose an injury accurately.

Waiting too long to receive medical care can also make an injury worse, leading to higher costs for the insurance company. The 14-day rule results in lower costs for insurance coverage across Florida, as the companies can minimize the costs they pay for medical care by requiring timely treatment.