Health

One phone call changes everything. Your teen was just driving home — then a car accident turned an ordinary day into an emergency room visit, a stack of medical bills, and a flood of questions. Now you’re trying to get your child the treatment they need while an insurance adjuster is already working to pay as little as possible. Here’s what you need to know before you accept a single bill or sign anything. TL;DR — QUICK SUMMARY In Florida, a parent or guardian generally brings the injury claim on behalf of an injured minor, and getting your teen prompt medical care is both a health priority and a legal one. Florida’s no-fault law requires crash victims to seek medical treatment within 14 days to qualify for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits under Fla. Stat. § 627.736. Your teen’s recovery — rehab, follow-up care, and reaching maximum medical improvement — directly affects what the claim is ultimately worth. You have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit under Florida Statute § 95.11(3)(a). PIP, health insurance, MedPay, and the at-fault driver’s coverage can all play a role in paying for treatment — and the order they apply in matters. The Reyes Firm Was Your Teen Hurt in a Crash in Tampa? Get clear next steps on treatment, insurance, and your teen’s claim. Had a bad day? Contact Us Now 14 Days To seek care for PIP eligibility Fla. Stat. § 627.736(1)(a) $10,000 Florida minimum PIP coverage Fla. Stat. § 627.736 80% Of medical bills PIP pays Fla. Stat. § 627.736 2 Years Florida statute of limitations Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(a) Can you recover compensation for your teen’s accident injuries in Tampa? Yes — in most cases a parent or legal guardian can pursue an injury claim on behalf of an injured minor, and that claim can cover the cost of your teen’s treatment, rehab, and other losses. Because your teen is a minor, the legal claim runs through you as the parent or guardian rather than through your child directly, and Florida law has specific rules about how a minor’s settlement is handled and, in larger cases, court-approved. The at-fault driver’s negligence is what creates the right to recover. If another driver caused the crash, that driver — and their insurance — can be held responsible for the medical care your teen needs to get better. The Reyes Firm is a Tampa personal injury law firm that represents injured Floridians, including teens and their families, on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless the firm recovers compensation. ⚠️ Deadline Warning: Under Florida Statute § 95.11(3)(a), you have two years from the date of your teen’s crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline almost always means losing the right to recover anything. Don’t wait to call a lawyer. Why does getting treatment for your teen quickly matter so much? Getting your teen treated fast protects both their health and their claim. Teenagers often shake off a crash and insist they feel fine — but adrenaline masks injury, and soft tissue damage, whiplash, concussions, and internal injuries can take 24 to 72 hours, or longer, to show symptoms. There is also a hard legal reason for speed. Florida’s no-fault system requires crash victims to seek initial medical care within 14 days to remain eligible for PIP benefits. Wait too long, and your teen’s own auto coverage may refuse to pay. Just as damaging, a gap between the crash and the first doctor’s visit gives the insurance company an easy argument: that your teen wasn’t really hurt, or that the injuries came from something else. Watch: What to know about treatment and recovery after your teen’s accident This short video walks through how rehab, recovery time, and treatment decisions tie into an auto accident claim and settlement. If your teen was hurt in a Tampa crash and you have questions about treatment or your claim, The Reyes Firm offers free consultations — call 833-4 BAD DAY. 💡 Did You Know? Florida’s no-fault law gives crash victims just 14 days to seek medical treatment in order to keep their PIP benefits, and PIP then covers 80% of reasonable and necessary medical expenses up to the policy limit. Source: Fla. Stat. § 627.736. A missed deadline or a treatment gap can cost your family thousands. What types of treatment and rehab does a teen need after a car accident? The right treatment depends on the injury, but most teen crash recoveries move through a recognizable sequence of care. Starting with an emergency evaluation and following the treatment plan all the way through is what gets your teen healthy — and what builds a clear medical record. Common stages of treatment after a teen car accident include: Emergency and diagnostic care — an ER or urgent care visit, plus X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to catch fractures, internal injuries, or a traumatic brain injury that isn’t obvious at the scene. Follow-up with specialists — orthopedists for broken bones, neurologists for head injuries, or a spine specialist if there are signs of a spinal cord injury. Physical therapy and rehabilitation — structured PT to restore strength and range of motion, which is often the longest phase of recovery. Chiropractic and pain management — common for whiplash and soft tissue injuries that linger after a crash. Mental health support — crashes can leave teens with anxiety, sleep problems, or trauma that deserves real treatment, not dismissal. Encourage your teen to keep every appointment and follow medical advice. Skipped visits don’t just slow healing — they hand the insurance company a reason to argue your teen recovered faster than they actually did. Who pays for your teen’s accident treatment in Florida? Several sources can pay for your teen’s care, and they often work together. Sorting out the order matters, because using the wrong coverage first can leave money on the table or expose your family to bills