Car accidents can leave victims with a wide range of injuries, from minor bumps and bruises to severe trauma that requires extensive treatment. Physical therapy is often a crucial part of the recovery process after a car accident, helping individuals regain mobility, strength, and functionality. However, many people wonder “Does physical therapy increase settlement amounts?” In Georgia, physical therapy can indeed play a significant role in increasing the settlement amount.
Our Atlanta car accident lawyers at The Weinstein Firm help victims understand their legal options and pursue the compensation they deserve. Let’s explore how physical therapy impacts your car accident settlement, who pays for it, and why it is important for your recovery.
Car Accident Settlements in Georgia
A car accident settlement is intended to compensate you for your losses and damages resulting from an accident. This includes both economic damages (such as medical expenses and lost wages) and non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering).
The settlement process can be complex, and several factors impact the value of your claim.
The Settlement Process
The settlement process typically involves several key steps:
- Medical Treatment: After an accident, seek medical attention right away. The treatment you receive will create a medical record that documents your injuries and treatment plan.
- Investigation: Your attorney will investigate the accident to gather evidence, such as police reports, witness statements, photos of the accident scene, and any available surveillance footage.
- Documentation of Damages: Your medical bills, records of lost wages, property damage estimates, and other financial losses will be documented to calculate the total value of your claim.
- Demand Letter: Once your attorney has gathered all the necessary information, they will send a demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurance company outlining the compensation you are seeking.
- Negotiation: The insurance company may offer a lower settlement amount, and negotiations will take place between your attorney and the insurer to reach a fair settlement.
- Settlement Agreement: If a fair settlement is reached, you will receive compensation for your damages. If negotiations fail, your attorney may recommend filing a lawsuit to pursue compensation in court.
What Impacts the Value of Your Car Accident Claim?
Several factors influence how much you could get from a car accident settlement. Some of the most important factors include:
- Severity of Injuries: The more severe your injuries, the higher your medical bills and the greater your pain and suffering, which can increase the settlement amount.
- Medical Treatment: Extensive treatment, including physical therapy, surgeries, and ongoing care, can raise the value of your claim.
- Recovery Time: If you require long-term treatment or rehabilitation, this can result in higher medical costs and more compensation.
- Loss of Income: If your injuries prevent you from working, your lost wages or reduced earning capacity can be factored into the settlement.
- Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages, such as physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life, are also considered in your settlement.
- Degree of Fault: Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means if you are partially at fault for the accident, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
- Insurance Coverage: The at-fault party’s insurance policy limits can also impact the amount you receive. If their coverage is insufficient, you may need to pursue compensation from your own insurance policy, depending on the coverage you have.
Does Physical Therapy Increase Settlement Amounts?
In most cases, physical therapy can increase the value of a car accident settlement. Physical therapy is considered a form of medical treatment, and the costs associated with it are added to your total economic damages. Here’s why physical therapy can help boost your settlement:
Physical Therapy Costs Increase Economic Damages
When you attend physical therapy sessions, the costs of these treatments are included in your economic damages. Economic damages are a critical component of your settlement, as they represent the direct financial losses you’ve suffered due to the accident.
These costs can add up quickly, especially if you require months or even years of physical therapy to fully recover. The more extensive your treatment, the higher the settlement amount you may receive to cover those medical expenses.
Physical Therapists Help Prove Pain and Suffering
Physical therapy often requires detailed progress notes and reports from the therapist. These notes can be valuable in proving the extent of your pain and suffering, a key component of your non-economic damages. Physical therapists track your progress, document ongoing pain, and detail any limitations or struggles you experience during recovery.
This documentation helps demonstrate that your injuries have had a significant impact on your quality of life, supporting your claim for pain and suffering compensation.
Physical Therapy Demonstrate the Seriousness of Your Injuries
One of the challenges in personal injury cases is proving that your injuries are as serious as you claim. Insurance companies may try to downplay your injuries or suggest that you are exaggerating the extent of your pain and suffering.
Attending physical therapy consistently shows that your injuries are significant enough to require professional rehabilitation. This can make it harder for the insurance company to argue that your injuries are minor or that you are not taking your recovery seriously.
Who Pays for Physical Therapy After a Car Accident?
After a car accident, you may wonder who will cover physical therapy costs. Several options are available to pay for your treatment, depending on your situation.
Health Insurance
If you have health insurance, your policy will likely cover physical therapy as part of your medical treatment. You will be responsible for any co-pays, deductibles, or out-of-pocket expenses, but the bulk of the costs may be covered by your health insurance plan. It’s important to keep track of these expenses so they can be included in your settlement demand.
Optional Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)
In Georgia, some drivers carry optional MedPay coverage as part of their auto insurance policy. MedPay covers medical expenses resulting from a car accident, regardless of who was at fault. This coverage can be used to pay for physical therapy, even if you don’t have health insurance. MedPay typically has a limit, so once that limit is reached, any remaining costs will need to be covered through other means.
Medical Liens
In some cases, physical therapists may agree to treat you under a medical lien. A medical lien is an agreement where the healthcare provider treats you now, and the cost of your treatment is paid out of your settlement or jury award.
This can be beneficial if you don’t have health insurance or cannot afford to pay for physical therapy upfront. The lien ensures that your treatment continues while your attorney works to secure compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company.
The Importance of Physical Therapy for Car Accident Recovery
Physical therapy after a car accident plays a critical role in the recovery process. It can help individuals regain mobility, improve strength, reduce pain, and restore function after an injury. Here are a few reasons why physical therapy is so important for your recovery:
Helps Prevent Long-Term Complications
After a car accident, some injuries may not heal properly on their own. Physical therapy helps to ensure that you regain full use of your body and avoid long-term complications, such as chronic pain or reduced mobility. By addressing issues early and following a structured rehabilitation plan, you can reduce the risk of lasting damage.
Promotes Faster Recovery
Physical therapy is designed to help your body recover more quickly. Through targeted exercises, stretches, and treatments, your therapist can help you build strength and flexibility, reduce pain, and speed up the healing process. This not only improves your physical health but can also help you return to work and resume your normal activities more quickly.
Supports Mental and Emotional Well-Being
Recovering from a car accident can be mentally and emotionally challenging, especially if you’re dealing with chronic pain or a long recovery process. Physical therapy provides a structured routine and a sense of progress, which can help improve your mental outlook. As you regain your strength and mobility, you may feel more positive and motivated, reducing the emotional toll of your recovery.
Helps Maximize Your Settlement
As discussed earlier, physical therapy can increase your settlement by adding to your medical expenses and demonstrating the severity of your injuries. By attending physical therapy and following your treatment plan, you not only improve your chances of a full physical recovery but also strengthen your legal claim.
Contact Our Atlanta Car Accident Lawyers Today
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Georgia, physical therapy can play a crucial role in your recovery. Seeking treatment from a licensed physical therapist can also increase your settlement amount. Our Georgia car accident lawyers will work closely with your physical therapist to document the severity of your injuries, your treatment, and your medical costs.
At The Weinstein Firm, we understand how overwhelming the aftermath of a car accident can be. Our experienced car accident attorneys are here to guide you through the legal process, ensuring that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Contact The Weinstein Firm today for a free consultation.
