Personal injuries can profoundly and permanently impact an individual's life, with “unexpected financial responsibilities [having] the potential to throw a lengthy shadow, affecting one's life both emotionally and financially,” according to Disability Help. While medical expenses are often the most visible and immediate costs associated with such injuries, numerous hidden costs can significantly affect a person's financial, emotional, and social well-being.

After a car accident, you may wonder what to do after the shock of a collision. Injuries from car accidents could take years to heal and do not only leave physical injuries. Speaking to a lawyer to help receive compensation for medical bills and lost wages will allow you to focus on your health and wellness while recovering your losses. Here are four ways a lawyer can help you after a car accident:

Under Florida’s no-fault system with car accidents, a driver or passenger has 14 days to seek medical attention after a collision to file a claim with the insurance policy. Insurers are likely to deny a claim if you do not see a medical provider within two weeks of the accident. Even if you feel fine, visit your medical provider within two weeks of your accident.

Ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft have skyrocketed into popularity over the last few years. Boasting low prices, increased accessibility, and unrivaled efficiency on a national scale, ridesharing apps have even become a threat to traditional taxi cab businesses. By allowing amateur drivers to use their own personal vehicles for commercial use, these applications have provided thousands of job opportunities as well as a readily available transportation alternative for consumers.

There are too many things that rush through your head as you realize you have just been in a car accident. Am I okay? Was the other driver injured  Is my car destroyed? There are so many chemicals in your body being produced to help you deal with the situation that it can be difficult to make important, rational decisions.  
Here are a few simple steps to help you protect yourself following a car accident: