Physical therapy is key to your recovery and to the value of your claim after a car accident.
According to the NHTSA, 26% of injured crash survivors that got badly injured receive treatment at a physical therapist's clinic, outpacing the number who seek treatment from chiropractors.
Clinical research shows that a well-structured physical therapy program can lead to significantly lower pain levels and improved outcomes when compared to minimal or delayed care, providing tangible benefits to support personal injury claims.
At The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary, we help car accident victims secure compensation that will cover both immediate and long-term medical care, as well as physical therapy to restore function and prevent chronic illnesses.
Physical Therapy Documents Injury Severity & Functional Limitations
Courts and insurance companies review the course of treatment to determine how the injury has affected long-term functionality. When a patient attends physical therapy frequently, therapists are able to document at each visit objective measurements such as limitations in the range of motion, deficits in strength, pain levels, and progress towards goals. A medical record is generated to indicate the extent of the injury and how long it took to recover.
If you don't have physical therapy documentation, the insurance adjuster can say that the injuries were minor or healed quickly. Gaps in treatment could allow them to say you fully recovered from your injury or that subsequent complaints have nothing to do with the accident. Regular attendance at physical therapy shows there has been a serious injury that needs to be treated on a long-term basis.
Damages for the Pain and Suffering
Functional limitations and the time required to regain abilities directly affect non-economic damages of pain and suffering. You may qualify for a larger compensation award if you are unable to work or require months of therapy to regain normal function:
- Longer recovery can increase pain and suffering damages
- Functional limits help show injury severity
- Ongoing treatment supports higher claims
- Inability to work can raise compensation value
- Medical records prove recovery delays
- Slow healing supports higher settlements
- Chronic pain increases non-economic damages
- Reduced daily function strengthens claims
Common Injuries Requiring Physical Therapy After Car Accidents
Injuries sustained in car accidents, such as whiplash and neck strains, misaligned backs, sprains, and strains, can be treated with physical therapy. The purpose of physical therapy is to prevent future chronic conditions by restoring movement, reducing pain, improving the range of motion.
Insurance companies often argue that you shouldn't be in physical therapy for so long, and that an injury should heal in a matter of weeks. However, clinical studies show that if you receive structured rehabilitation early on, you will make measurable progress, so the continued care is justified. It's hard for the insurance company to argue with medical necessity when your lawyer can pull up therapy records showing functional deficits that would not resolve without therapy.
Get Professional Legal Help with Your Compensation Claims
The records of physical therapy support personal injury claims by documenting the severity of the injury, the functional limitations, the medical necessity of treatment, and the recovery timeline.
The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary represents car accident victims in pursuing compensation that includes all necessary medical treatment, including physical therapy, as well as damages for lost wages, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life.
Contact our Miami office for a complimentary consultation if you have been injured in a car accident and, due to the severity of your injuries, you require prolonged physical therapy to aid in your recovery.