Car accidents can disrupt your life and leave you with injuries that can last a lifetime. The unfortunate reality is, some victims may never fully recover from injuries sustained in a car accident. Despite this, these patients may still benefit from ongoing medical treatment, which can dramatically affect the compensation sought through an accident claim.
Salazar & Velazquez, P.C. is the only team you should call when you need a car accident attorney in Houston. Keep reading to learn more about Maximum Medical Improvement and car accident claims, and contact us today to book a free consultation with our experienced attorneys!
What Is Maximum Medical Improvement?
When it comes to car accident claims, Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) is a term all victims should be familiar with. In this context, it can mean one of two things:
- For victims who suffered serious injuries in a car accident, Maximum Medical Improvement means that the victim has been provided with the necessary medical care for their injuries and has recovered as much as they are likely to.
- MMI can also mean that the individual injured in a car accident has undergone the necessary treatment and made a full recovery from their injuries.
How Is Maximum Medical Improvement Determined?
In most cases, the doctor providing treatments for injuries sustained in a car accident should be the one who makes determinations regarding Maximum Medical Improvement. If you disagree with your doctor’s determination regarding MMI — for example, if your doctor believes you have fully recovered from your injuries and you disagree — you have the right to seek multiple opinions from other physicians and treatment providers.
However, insurance companies also reserve this right. If an insurance company disagrees with your doctor’s determination of you reaching MMI, they may request an independent medical exam through a contracted physician of their choosing. With an experienced car accident attorney by your side, you can make the right choices regarding your claim.
Can Rejecting a Procedure Affect MMI?
Sometimes, a car accident victim and their doctor may not see eye-to-eye about the best course of treatment for their injuries. For example, a doctor may recommend a surgical procedure that they feel could improve a victim’s condition, but the victim may be apprehensive about the surgery for a number of reasons and elect for a different treatment approach. In this case, a doctor may be within their rights to determine you have reached Maximum Medical Improvement by refusing a treatment which they determined as useful for your recovery. It is important to note that this is all on a case-by-case basis, and a car accident attorney can help negotiate in your favor.
Should You Reach MMI Before Sending a Demand Letter?
In many cases, reaching Maximum Medical Improvement before you send a demand letter is the preferred strategy. However, there are situations where your car accident attorney may recommend sending a demand letter as soon as you have received a diagnosis from your treatment provider. To determine the best course of action for your case, schedule a free consultation with Salazar & Velazquez, P.C. today!
Injured in a car accident in Houston? The car accident attorneys at Salazar & Velazquez, P.C. can help you get the best possible outcome for your case. Schedule a free consultation today!
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