You’ve just been in a car wreck or car accident. You’re shaken up, disoriented, and unsure of what to do next. After you’ve gotten to safety, called 911, exchanged information with the other driver(s), and documented the accident, it’s crucial that you seek medical attention, even if you’ve only sustained minor bruising. No matter the severity of your car accident injuries, you need to see a doctor who can adequately evaluate and treat you. This is important not only for your own health and safety but also for the sake of your personal injury claim. If you’re entitled to compensation, seeing a doctor will help back up your claim for damages.
For a more serious injury, seeking medical attention may necessitate an ambulance rushing you to the emergency room in the moments following the crash. For less severe cases, you may just need to visit your local doctor in the days that follow the accident. If you aren’t sure what doctor to see after a car accident or how to approach your medical treatment, don’t worry—this is a common question. Here’s what you need to know.
Importance of Medical Care After a Car Accident
Why Medical Attention is Crucial for Car Accident Injuries
Medical care after a car accident is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, car accident injuries can be severe and life-threatening, requiring immediate medical attention. Even if the injuries seem minor, it’s essential to seek medical care to rule out any underlying conditions that may worsen over time. Delaying medical attention can lead to further complications, reduced chances of recovery, and increased medical bills.
Moreover, medical care after a car accident is essential for insurance purposes. Insurance companies require documentation of injuries and medical treatment to process claims. Without proper medical attention, it may be challenging to prove the extent of injuries, leading to reduced or denied claims.
Lastly, medical care after a car accident can help prevent long-term health consequences. Car accidents can cause soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash, which can lead to chronic pain and discomfort if left untreated. Medical care can help diagnose and treat these conditions, preventing long-term health consequences.
What Type of Medical Treatment Should I Get After a Car Accident?
First and foremost, before a decision can be made about the specific doctors or physicians you should see after the accident, it’s important to understand the type of medical treatment you’ll require. In many cases, seeing a car accident doctor who specializes in auto accident injuries can provide the specialized care and documentation needed for effective treatment and insurance claims. Depending on your situation, the following specialists are likely possibilities after a car accident:
- Emergency room doctor: For the most severe injuries, an emergency room doctor will be required. Life-threatening injuries should be treated right away, so call 911 at the scene of the accident if you need an ambulance.
- Primary care physician: If you’re not suffering from a severe or life-threatening injury, you may consider contacting your primary care physician (PCP) to make an emergency appointment. Your primary doctor knows your health history, including any underlying conditions, and will be able to perform a comprehensive physical.
- Urgent care doctor: Patients often use urgent care centers when they can’t see their PCP in a timely fashion. These centers often have longer clinical hours than a PCP, and you can walk in without an appointment. They’re meant to treat conditions serious enough to require immediate care but not serious enough to require an ER visit.
- Medical specialists: In some situations, your doctor may refer you to a specialist for additional treatment or testing. A specialist is a doctor who focuses on one aspect of a person’s health, like one organ or body part.
As stated, it’s crucial that you seek medical attention regardless of the severity of your injuries, even if you feel fine after the accident. Some common and severe injuries that result from car collisions don’t always show symptoms right away, such as whiplash, sprains, internal bleeding, and certain fractures. Going to the doctor will help you heal, but it will also help you successfully win your personal injury lawsuit.
Too often, individuals who’ve been injured in a car crash fail to get immediate care, which causes problems resolving their personal injury claims. Insurance adjusters will look for any reason not to pay the actual value of a case. If they see that you didn’t go to the doctor after your accident, even if your injuries didn’t materialize until some time after the accident, it may look as if you weren’t all that injured and don’t need the level of compensation for which you’re asking.
Choosing the Right Doctor for Medical Care
Primary Care Physicians vs. Emergency Room Doctors
When it comes to choosing the right doctor for medical care after a car accident, it’s essential to consider the severity of injuries. For severe injuries, such as head trauma or broken bones, it’s best to visit the emergency room. Emergency room doctors are trained to handle life-threatening injuries and can provide immediate attention.
However, for less severe injuries, such as neck pain or soft tissue injuries, visiting a primary care physician may be a better option. Primary care physicians can provide personalized care and attention and are often more familiar with the patient’s medical history.
It’s also essential to consider the doctor’s experience in handling car accident injuries. Car accident doctors, such as those specializing in auto accident injuries, have the necessary expertise to diagnose and treat car accident-related injuries.
Should You See Your Family Doctor After a Car Accident?
If you determine that you don’t need an immediate trip to the emergency room, you may assume that you should begin follow-up care with your primary care physician. However, due to the nature of car accident injuries, going to your primary care physician or family doctor isn’t necessarily the best course of action for everyone.
For example, while primary care physicians are very good at their jobs, these types of doctors aren’t necessarily set up to handle traumatic car accident cases. You may consider treatment by experts who regularly handle car accident victims’ injuries, such as orthopedic doctors, chiropractors, neurologists, or other specialists. Proper medical documentation is essential to ensure that your insurance company does not contest your claim for damages or injuries.
Likewise, it’s important to note that it’s not uncommon for a primary physician to refuse to see you, even if you want to. This is often because they’re either not set up to bill auto insurance companies or are uncomfortable treating car accident injuries in case they’re called to testify in court. If your PCP’s office tells you that they won’t treat you, call a personal injury law firm at Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, who may be able to set you up with the right doctor in your area who will treat you.
Benefits of Visiting Your Primary Care Physician
Established Relationships and Personalized Care
Visiting your primary care physician after a car accident has several benefits. Firstly, primary care physicians have an established relationship with their patients, which can lead to more personalized care. They are familiar with the patient’s medical history, which can help them diagnose and treat car accident-related injuries more effectively.
Moreover, primary care physicians can provide ongoing care and attention, which is essential for car accident injuries. They can monitor the patient’s progress, adjust treatment plans as needed, and provide referrals to specialists if necessary.
Lastly, primary care physicians can help patients navigate the insurance claims process. They can provide documentation of injuries and medical treatment, which can help support insurance claims.
Southeastern Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyers You Can Trust
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s vital that you find the right kind of physician who can treat your injuries and who’s knowledgeable about how car accidents affect the human body. The experienced Pennsylvania car accident attorneys can help answer any of your questions, including how to make sure you see the right doctor. Our team of practiced attorneys may be also able to help you recover compensation for any lost wages, medical bills, property damage, and psychological trauma associated with the crash. Our attorneys can assist you in navigating the complexities of your car accident claim, ensuring you understand your insurance coverage and receive the compensation you deserve.
For more than 65 years, our car accident lawyers have served clients’ legal needs in Southeastern Pennsylvania, including in Montgomery County, Bucks County, Lehigh County, Chester County, Delaware County, and throughout the surrounding areas. We’ve earned the trust and respect of clients facing a wide range of legal problems, and we serve to protect you and guard your rights. Give us a call at (215) 822-7575 or complete our contact form.
Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford P.C.
Pennsylvania Attorney's
December 24, 2024
