After an injury caused by someone else’s careless or negligent actions, your medical treatment becomes the foundation of your legal claim. One important milestone in any personal injury case is something called the Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). We’ll talk about this critical phase in your recovery, including why it matters, and the impact it has on the outcome of your case.

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, our knowledgeable car accident attorneys in Mobile help injured victims every day. We have a strong history of securing favorable outcomes for our clients, and we are ready to do the same for you.

Have you suffered a personal injury? If so, don’t leave your case to chance. We have decades of experience and are prepared to fight all the way to court for the full and fair compensation you deserve!

Not sure if you have a case? Take advantage of our FREE case review. This is an opportunity to tell us about the incident that injured you, get answers to your questions, and find out what legal options you have.

Call Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys for a FREE consultation today. 251-888-8888

What Is Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) in an Alabama Personal Injury Case?

Maximum Medical Improvement is the phase in your healing process when your medical condition has stabilized. When you reach this point in your recovery, you are unlikely to improve significantly.

Does Reaching MMI Mean I Am Fully Recovered or Don’t Have Permanent Damage?

People often get confused and think that reaching their MMI means they are fully recovered. However, that is not accurate. Reaching your MMI simply means your recovery has reached a plateau – you have recovered as well as is considered medically possible given the type and severity of your injuries and other factors.

Here are some concrete examples of injured victims who recover, but are not 100 percent the same as they were before the accident that injured them:

• Broken Bone: Once this fracture heals and you complete any physical recovery, you may be considered to have reached your MMI. However, you may continue to have some soreness, ongoing weakness, or chronic pain.
• Spinal Cord Injury: The initial damage may reach the phase where it has healed as much as it is expected to, but you may have permanent paralysis or other permanent damage.
• Traumatic Brain Injury: Your initial head injury may have healed, causing you to reach your MMI, but you may have chronic headaches, blurry vision, or cognitive issues that do not fully resolve.

Who Decides When I Have Reached My MMI After a Car Accident in Mobile?

Your treating doctor decides when you have reached your MMI. This decision can be made by any qualified healthcare provider who is managing your care, including your primary care physician (PCP), or orthopedist, neurologist, or other specialist treating your specific injuries.

If your case is complex, or if there is “push back” from the liable party’s insurance company, your attorney may arrange for other medical experts to evaluate your case, but only if it becomes necessary. This step can be vital if the insurance company’s doctor disagrees with your treatment plan or if you continue to experience severe symptoms.

Under Alabama law, it is not necessary to use a specific type of doctor to declare a victim’s MMI. However, the doctor examining you must be fully qualified to treat your injuries.

How Long Does It Take to Reach MMI After Being Injured in a Car Crash?

There are no specific timelines for reaching your MMI. This phase of your recovery is completely unique to many factors, such as:

• The severity of your injuries
• Your age and general health at the time you were injured
• How quickly your body responds to treatment
• Your genetics
• How well you follow your doctor’s prescribed treatment and follow-up care
• Whether you avoid activities restricted by your doctor
• Setbacks you may face during your recovery
• Other complications, such as additional surgery or infections that arise

Why Should I Not Agree to a Settlement Before Reaching My MMI?

Before reaching your MMI, you do not yet have enough information about how badly you are hurt, how long it will take you to recover, or what continued treatments you may need. If you agree to a settlement too soon in the process, you could end up paying thousands out of your own pocket.

Settlements are final. What this means is that once you agree to an offer, you cannot ask for more money to cover any extra medical costs – even if your injuries get worse. Agreeing to an early settlement could leave you paying for thousands in treatments out of your own pocket.

Medical Costs May Increase

An initial emergency room visit might be just the beginning. Depending on how badly you were injured, you may need months of physical therapy, specialist visits, diagnostic tests, or even surgery. Insurance companies are aware of this and often push for early settlements to avoid incurring these future costs.

Future Lost Wages

If your injuries affect your ability to work long-term, you need to know that before settling. Some people may be unable to return to their previous job or require accommodation that impacts their earning potential. You cannot recover these losses if you have already settled.

How MMI Affects Your Future Medical Care After a Car Accident Claim in Alabama

Reaching your MMI helps define what medical care you will need in the future and who should be covering those costs. Even after reaching their MMI, many people still need to continue pain management, periodic monitoring, or undergo future surgeries. Your doctor can predict these future needs with reasonable accuracy, providing a clearer picture of your future medical costs during settlement negotiations. These projected costs are included in your settlement amount.

Why Hire Our Mobile Law Firm When Seeking Fair Compensation

Your personal injury case can benefit greatly from our local knowledge and proven experience. At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, given our history of success in complex cases, it is a given that we have extensive knowledge of Alabama laws and how to develop a legal strategy that protects our clients’ best interests. We also have strong relationships with medical experts, accident reconstruction specialists, and other professionals should we need to consult with them to strengthen your case.

Local Court Experience

Our attorneys regularly appear in Mobile County courts and are familiar with how local judges and juries typically respond to various types of cases. This insight enables us to construct stronger arguments and establish realistic expectations about potential outcomes.

Trial Preparation

Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys owns and operates the only mock courtroom facility in Alabama. This realistic court environment enables us to thoroughly prepare our clients for testimony, helping them feel confident and ready if their case proceeds to trial. We can practice your testimony, test jury reactions, and refine our legal strategy in a setting that mirrors actual courtroom conditions.

Taking Our Cases to Trial

While many attorneys prefer to settle cases quickly, we often push to take cases to trial when we feel it is in the best interests of our clients and is likely to yield a better outcome.

Need Legal Help After a Mobile Car Crash? Call Our Trusted Law Firm Today

Have you experienced a personal injury in Mobile, Alabama? If so, we recommend you seek legal help as soon after you accident as possible. Do not sign or agree to anything until you speak with a knowledgeable attorney.

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we protect your rights throughout the MMI process. Our legal team is dedicated to securing the maximum possible compensation for your injuries and other losses.

We want you to be able to focus on your healing, knowing your case is in good hands. Don’t leave your case to chance. When our experienced Mobile legal team manages your case, we see work to get you not only the compensation you need to cover your current injuries, but also long-term financial solutions for your future damages.  

Call today to discuss your case. There are no upfront costs or legal fees if we represent you. If we don’t win, you don’t owe us a dime.

Call our Mobile law firm today to get started. 251-888-8888