Automobile Accident Shoulder Injury & Surgery

Description:

The driver of a Jeep Cherokee caused a rear end collision to our client who was travelling on the interstate in rush hour traffic. Highlights of the Florida Traffic Crash Report noted the at fault driver was charged with “Careless Driving.” Afterwards, our client presented to an Urgent Care Center with chief complaints of right arm pain and low back pain. Follow up with physicians and MRI of Right Shoulder revealed swelling consistent with an injury, also revealing a torn posterior labrum. Ultimately, he required surgery: an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair of his right shoulder. Following surgery, his medical bills exceeded $76,000. Investigation revealed the at fault driver had Bodily Injury liability insurance of only $100,000, without any excess liability insurance coverage or assets.

Our client did not have any Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage. With the benefit of legal representation, he obtained best medical care and we negotiated his medical bills – so he obtained the best medical and financial recovery possible.

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The takeaways from this case are as follows:

• After the collision, after experiencing complaints of pain, it is critically important to seek medical treatment in a timely fashion. Florida law requires an accident victim to seek treatment within 14 days of the crash to be eligible for Personal Injury Protection benefits, also known as No Fault benefits.
• In these times, the at fault driver often does not have enough insurance coverage to cover the full damages sustained by an accident victim after a crash. Thus, again, is important to have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage to protect yourself and your family.