Every collision is different – there is no exact amount of time you need to recover before you return to work after being involved in a car accident.
Even if you want to get back to work right away, your injuries might get aggravated and you could suffer from pain and complications if you have not fully recovered yet.
The truth is that the amount of time you need to recover will depend on the severity of your injuries and the limitations caused by the accident. The most reliable source of information in your case is your doctor because he or she knows exactly how much time your body needs to recover.
Most doctors recommend a recovery time. Your doctor will tell you when you can go back to work. If you were not given any specific instructions, then be sure to call and ask.
For the most part, it takes roughly 3 days for adrenaline to leave your body and for you to feel the full physical symptoms of any underlying injuries caused by a car accident. You may experience pain sooner, however, 3 days is a reasonable amount of time to determine if you have physical injuries that you cannot feel immediately.
Tips for Taking Time Off Work
Be sure to follow company rules when taking time off. A car accident can be a literal and figurative pain in the neck, so follow some of these tips to ensure you make the entire process easier for yourself:
- Talk to your employer as soon as possible.
- Get a doctor’s note.
- Keep all documents.
- Maintain communication with your boss.
- Ask about working from home for a time if you can.
- Ask to avoid any physical responsibilities that may aggravate your injuries.
- Talk to human resources often and get clear instructions.
Remember the more you work with your human resources department and employer, the more likely they will be willing to work with you. Although there’s no legal precedent for this, we always believe that doing your best to be genuine and helpful, will be returned in kind.
Claiming Lost Wages After a Car Accident
You can file claims for lost wages including any vacation, personal, or sick time you had to use to recover from the accident. However, not all claims will include lost wages. If you did not lose wages as a result of the accident, you can still make claims for other forms of loss:
- Medical expenses.
- Car repairs.
- Pain and suffering (physical injuries and emotional distress).
- Reimbursement for transportation and other costs resulting from the accident.
We highly recommend discussing your case with an attorney who specializes in car accidents to understand more about your rights and the claims you are allowed to make.
At the end of the day, your health matters most when it comes to recovering from a car crash. So, take the time that you need to fully get back on track and let a good lawyer help you take care of the compensation that you deserve.
Be sure to keep all your doctor’s appointments and follow all your doctor’s recommendations to the letter.
Get better and stay safe! And for everything else, contact a car accident lawyer in West Palm Beach.
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