Should I Go to Work the Day After a Car Accident?
If you’ve been in a car accident and you don’t think your injuries are serious, you may want to go back to work the day after your accident. However, this isn’t always the best idea. Depending on the nature and intensity of your injuries, recommendations from your doctor, and your recovery plan, you may have to take more time off from work than you want.
There isn’t a definite time you should return to work after your accident, but you should avoid going back to work too soon. You may be concerned about your finances or the status of your job, but your recovery should be a priority. If you go back to work before you’re able to function at your best or against the suggestion of your doctor, you could make your injuries worse.
Returning to work too quickly may also have an impact on your car accident case. If you go back too soon, you could decrease your settlement. Here are some tips to keep in mind during your recovery.
Stay On Top of Your Appointments
After you visit the doctor for the first time after your accident, you’ll likely get instructions for ongoing treatment. You may have to schedule a few follow-ups with your primary care doctor and follow your physician’s instructions in between appointments.
If you don’t follow your treatment plan, your symptoms may worsen, or you could develop new symptoms. This should be documented so that the proper changes can be made to your recovery plan. You should also be aware of any new symptoms you experience so you can notify your insurance company. Your state of health and recovery plan will give you an indication of when you can return to work.
If you end your recovery plan early because you don’t want to keep seeing the doctor, you could face several consequences. For one, you’ll increase the time it takes for you to go back to work. You may also have a harder time getting compensation for your injuries if you don’t follow your doctor’s advice.
Document All Your Evidence
Right after your accident, you should record what you’re going through, including any signs of mental anguish or physical pain, if possible. Give this information to your doctor so they can better determine the severity of your injuries.
As you start the healing process, continue documenting everything you’re experiencing. This will help your doctor determine when you can go back to work. If you start to feel more pain or have trouble moving, tell your physician right away.
Get a Doctor’s Note
Your doctor’s note is your “ticket” to return to work. You have to supply evidence of your injuries to your company. The doctor’s note will excuse any time you have to take off work, but it will also help you and your boss determine what type of work tasks you can handle.
The doctor’s note must include proof of your injuries, x-rays, test results, and records of all your follow-up appointments. Make sure you give your boss your recovery plan from your doctor and which appointments you’ve already attended. This will prove to your boss that it was necessary for you to take some time from work.
If you’ve recently been injured in a vehicle wreck, ask a car accident lawyer to review your case. Be sure to tell your attorney all the details of the case and present any evidence you have. It’s important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible so that evidence can’t be eliminated and you can recall the details of the incident. This increases the chances that you’ll get the settlement you’re entitled to for your accident.
