A car accident in Hollywood or your South Florida community can result in many types of injuries, including brain trauma, fractures, whiplash, amputations, and other injuries. Some of the injuries you sustain may result in scarring or disfigurement, requiring you to seek cosmetic surgery or so-called cosmetic procedures.
This can create a difficult situation. On the one hand, you may need these elective procedures to regain confidence and to reclaim your appearance. If you work in a public setting, these procedures may be necessary for your career prospects. However, you may find insurance companies are reluctant to pay for these medical processes, no matter how much you feel you may need them.
After a devastating car crash, you may need a variety of procedures not typically covered by health insurance, including:
- Skin grafts. If you have suffered burns, skin grafts allow you to take skin from parts of your body and use it to cover scarring.
- Cosmetic dentistry. If you have lost teeth or suffered trauma to the mouth area, you may need crowns, veneers, or dentures. You may decide that dental implants are a better solution. Depending on the treatments you choose, your choices may be considered “cosmetic dentistry” and may not be covered by your insurance plan.
- Facial reconstructive surgery. If bones in your face have been broken, you may need reconstructive surgery of the chin, jawline, cheeks, brow, or nose area to regain the shape of your face and to create a look closer to your appearance before your injuries.
Reconstructive surgery after a car accident can cost tens of thousands of dollars or even more. It can be painful and a patient may need to wait until injuries have partly healed before starting treatment. Multiple procedures may be needed.
Reconstructive surgery after a collision can also be emotionally difficult for a patient. Patients may feel depressed, self-conscious, or may struggle with their appearance due to the injuries they have suffered. In these cases, so-called cosmetic procedures may be an important part of the healing process.
Getting compensation for your treatment
If you have suffered burns, dental injury, scarring, or other serious injuries in a car accident and need reconstructive or other treatment to restore your appearance to what it was before your accident, you may have several options for payment. In some cases, PIP coverage can pay for part of the treatment. Unfortunately, caps on PIP coverage can mean the money does not cover all the treatment you need.
You can also seek to have your treatment covered under your health care or car insurance plan. It can be useful if your doctor can submit evidence that your reconstruction procedures are needed to restore function as well as appearance. For example, if reconstructive surgery is needed to help you chew and eat properly and also to help you alter your appearance, you may be more likely to get coverage under your health plan.
Another option is to pursue the at-fault driver in a civil claim. A personal injury claim in Hollywood or your community lets you pursue all liable parties and seek recovery for all your medical and car-accident-related expenses.
To discuss your options with a personal injury attorney and to find out how you can pursue compensation for all your medical needs, contact Flaxman Law Group. Our attorneys in Hollywood, Homestead, and Hollywood can help you explore your potential case and how much it may be worth in a confidential and completely free accident consultation.