How Physical Therapy Affects Your Car Accident Settlement

Midsection Of Physical Therapist Assisting Patient In Exercising

Car accident injuries can range from minor to life-changing. Even seemingly minor car wrecks can cause chronic pain and discomfort, leaving lasting impacts on your mobility, comfort, and overall well-being. To regain mobility and increase quality of life, many car accident victims turn to physical therapy.

Physical therapy is a non-invasive option that your doctor may recommend as part of your recovery plan. Attending all your prescribed physical therapy sessions not only helps you heal but also fully documents the extent of your injuries and demonstrates your commitment to healing. This is critical to ensuring that you receive fair compensation.

We’ve handled car crash claims for many victims needing physical therapy, here are just a few:

$2.41 million settlement for two sisters who endured multiple surgeries, and physical therapy and relied on mobility aids for months following an accident caused by a reckless driver. Attorney Mark Joye negotiated a settlement that covered their losses and also included future medical coverage so they could continue to seek treatment, including physical therapy.
$1.18 million settlement for a mother in Berkeley County who was T-boned by a drunk driver with her 4-year-old son in the car. She sustained a serious neck injury that required steroid injections, physical therapy, and eventually surgery. During the case, the defendant was involved in another DUI collision. Attorney Brent Arant leveraged this incident, along with his client’s significant medical expenses, to pressure Geico into paying their full policy limit, ensuring our client could continue receiving the necessary treatment.
$1.2 million settlement for a golf cart accident victim who needed extensive inpatient and outpatient physical therapy to recover from multiple broken ribs, a broken collarbone, and a fractured vertebra. Attorney Ran Stoney negotiated with multiple insurance providers to ensure she obtained enough compensation to cover any ongoing physical therapy needs.

In each of these cases, physical therapy was crucial for our clients’ recovery. In some cases, it allowed them to pursue additional treatments when physical therapy alone wasn’t enough. By including these costs in their claims, our clients avoided paying these significant expenses out of pocket.

How Physical Therapy Impacts A Car Accident Injury Claim

At the Joye Law Firm, our experienced South Carolina car accident attorneys work hard to maximize our client’s cases. One way to increase the “value” of your claim is to include all the medical bills you incurred because of your accident injuries. Typically, the more bills you have, the more compensation you will seek. If your doctor prescribes physical therapy, it’s essential to adhere to the treatment plan. This will help you heal as much as possible. Plus, completing all prescribed treatment shows that you are committed to getting better and creates expenses that your attorney will demand compensation to cover.

The Medical Benefits of Physical Therapy

According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), regular physical therapy sessions can play an important role in your overall recovery plan after you have been injured as a result of a car accident. These types of injuries often include broken bones, muscle strains, sprains and tears, back and neck injuries, and head trauma, all of which can benefit from physical therapy. Here’s how physical therapy can help you heal:

Strengthening Muscles Around Injuries: Helping build up surrounding muscles, adding support and stability to injured areas.
Preventing Joint Stiffness: Reducing the risk of injured joints from becoming stiff and arthritic.
Increasing Mobility and Flexibility: Helping victims return to previous activities more quickly after an accident and avoiding re-injury.
Reducing Pain and Medication Use: Improving coordination and stability, helping to decrease pain and the need for medication.
Preventing Re-Injury: Repairing joint and muscle damage, avoiding the need for costly surgeries.
Mental Health Benefits: Helping with cognitive issues stemming from head and brain injuries, which are common in car accidents.

Simple exercises can help victims regain cognitive processes while providing methods they can use to cope with their injuries, such as using cues to spur memories of how to perform everyday tasks. According to the APTA, physical therapy can also benefit accident victims by helping them avoid depression and feel more like an active participant in their own recovery.

Types of Physical Therapy to Consider

In the aftermath of a car accident, your doctor may recommend various types of physical therapies based on your specific injuries. According to VeryWell.com, a consumer health information resource, the kind of therapy you undergo will depend upon your recovery goals. A good physical therapist will explain how each treatment benefits your condition and the time frame in which you can expect to see results. Commonly prescribed types of physical therapy include: workers-compensation-for-joints

Physical exercises to increase strength and flexibility
Ultrasound treatments which use deep heat to ease pain and friction
Electrical stimulation and TENS (transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation) therapy to help injured muscles relearn how to function properly
Traction to relieve pressure on injured body parts
Joint mobilization in which your therapist gently guides a specific body part to relieve pain and increase movement
Massage can help improve circulation while decreasing muscle tension
Moist heat to relax muscles and decrease pain
Ice treatments to relieve inflammation
Laser therapy to help speed up the healing process

After an accident, your doctor may prescribe one or more types of therapy. These treatments can take place in a hospital or freestanding clinic. Some treatments, such as TENS units and traction devices, can even be used at home during recovery.

Importance of Attending Prescribed Physical Therapy

Failing to attend prescribed therapy can affect your ability to recover physically and financially. By not keeping up with your doctor’s orders, you’re sending a message to insurers that your injuries aren’t severe or don’t require further treatment. This can greatly diminish your chances for compensation. Instead, your physical therapy records should serve as proof of injury and the effort you’re putting into your recovery. Detailed records demonstrate that you are actively working toward recovery, which strengthens your case.

Getting Physical Therapy Covered After an Accident

In the immediate aftermath of an accident, there are four important steps you need to take to protect yourself and your right to compensation for medical treatment:

Inform your local law enforcement or state police of the accident
Get contact and insurance information from other drivers involved
Seek medical attention immediately, even if you think your injuries are minor
Notify your insurer
Seek legal advice from a local personal injury attorney

If another driver caused the accident, their insurer will likely contact you. Beware! Insurance companies often try to settle for far less than what your claim is actually worth and may overlook ongoing rehabilitative costs, like physical therapy. That’s why it is so important to have everything documented. Make sure to inform your doctor of all your symptoms so they are included in your medical records as proof. Follow all your doctor’s instructions and go to all follow-up appointments. Since your physical therapy is medically necessary to help you recover and deal with pain, decreased mobility, and discomfort caused by your accident, these costs should be covered in a settlement or personal injury lawsuit.

Reach Out to Us for Professional Assistance

If you or someone you care about has been injured as the result of a car accident, contact our experienced South Carolina car accident attorneys right away. At the Joye Law Firm, we provide the aggressive legal representation you need to hold responsible parties accountable for the damages and injuries you have suffered. We’re standing by to assist you in getting the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to under the law.

If you’re worried about how you can afford a lawyer while still dealing with medical bills, don’t be. At Joye Law Firm, there are no upfront costs. We offer free consultations and our clients get our No Fee Guarantee, meaning we only get paid if we win your case. Before speaking with the insurance company or accepting a settlement offer, contact our office today for a free and confidential case review.