Find the Best Car Accident Doctor Near Me

When you get injured in a car accident, “car accident doctor near me” is one of the first things you might type into the search engine while recovering from your injuries. In that case, you are not alone. Almost every person injured in a car accident requires medical treatment. However, most people do not realize that not every car accident doctor you encounter can provide the treatment you need and help maximize your claim.

If you fall into that category, you should not be too worried. That is why we are here to help. At Morgan and Morgan, our car accident lawyers usually receive many questions from concerned individuals injured in car accidents.  

Before contacting a particular doctor after a car accident, you want to ensure it is the right decision. For this reason, we have answered some frequently asked questions about car accident doctors and their role after such accidents. If you have further questions, feel free to fill out our free case evaluation form. One of our legal representatives will contact you to discuss your case and explore your best options.

Where Can I Find a Good Car Accident Doctor Near Me?

Finding a car accident doctor is not as difficult in the modern age of technology. A few searches online will reveal a list of doctors in your area. But you should not be too quick to decide. Rather, you should conduct further research to find out more about what other clients think about that particular doctor.

What are their ratings? Are their reviews mostly positive? How long have they been treating car accident victims? What services do they offer, and how will you benefit from them? These are just some of the most important questions to ask when looking for a good doctor after a car accident.

You can also ask your friends, colleagues, and family members whether they know good car accident doctors. If so, take down their contact information and research their profile to determine whether they are a good gift.

The other option, which is highly recommended, is to contact an experienced car accident lawyer serving your local area. Most experienced attorneys usually have contacts of experts, including car accident doctors, in their network. For this reason, the attorney can recommend someone with experience handling your specific injuries and who also understands car accident laws.

I Cannot Afford a Car Accident Doctor. Can I Still Get Treated?

You can still get the treatment you need and deserve even if you cannot afford an attorney. However, this will depend on who you contact. Understandably, after a car accident, your first instinct is to contact your primary doctor for treatment.

However, it is better to contact a doctor specializing in car accident injuries. It is even better if your lawyer recommends the doctor. Most attorney-recommended doctors are always willing to treat accident victims without any upfront payment. Instead, you may need to sign a medical lien.

What Is a Medical Lien?

A medical lien is an official document that gives medical providers legal authority to deduct a portion of their patient’s injury settlement to cover the medical costs. This document is legally binding.

When the insurance company settles your claim, a portion of it will go into settling attorney fees and other legal expenses. And if you have a medical lien, it will be deducted from the settlement. You will then pocket the remaining amount.

Why Should I Get Treated by a Car Accident Doctor?

It is better to contact a car accident doctor if you have been injured in a car accident than a regular doctor. Here is why.

Other than providing the treatment you need, car accident doctors know how accident laws work in your state. For this reason, they can always help maximize your claim and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. On the other hand, when you contact your personal doctor, they will likely not know how to maximize your claim. This is because they mostly specialize in treatment processes rather than the legal aspect of such cases.

Proof of medical treatment is one of the most critical documents you need when you file a car accident injury claim. However, this document goes beyond stating when and why you received treatment. Rather, it should be detailed enough to prevent insurance companies from disputing your claim. An experienced car accident attorney knows how to draft medical reports that will increase your chances of obtaining the treatment you need and deserve. They know the words to use throughout the document and those to avoid.

Such an attorney can also provide expert testimony in court or during deposition to prove your claim. This is very important because they know what to and not to say in court. As a result, the judge or jury will likely believe the car accident doctor because they are experts in the medical field.

Car accident attorneys are usually familiar with the tactics insurance companies use to dispute valid claims. For example, if you had gaps in your medical treatment, the insurer could use this as a defense to deny you compensation for your injuries.

They will likely argue that you were not seriously injured. Such a defense could seriously jeopardize your chances of recovering compensation for your injuries. However, having gaps in your medical treatment does not necessarily mean your injuries were not that serious, a fact an experienced car accident doctor can help prove.

Can My Attorney Help Me Find a Car Accident Doctor?

Yes. Because most experienced attorneys usually have doctors in their network, they can offer valuable referrals. Keep in mind that most personal injury attorneys, including Morgan and Morgan, charge their clients a contingent fee.

A contingent payment system allows the attorney to recover legal fees and other related costs only if they win the case. If they do not win, they do not recover anything. For this reason, these attorneys will only refer you to doctors they believe can maximize your claim.

The greatest advantage of letting your attorney choose the right doctor for you is that you do not have to go through the rigorous vetting process to find a good doctor. This gives you peace of mind knowing that you have experts on your side doing everything they can to ensure you obtain favorable results after the accident. These legal professionals will work together to build a strong case for you as you focus on recovering from your injuries and protecting your mental peace.

Why Is It Important to Follow the Doctor’s Instructions After a Car Accident?

While contacting a car accident doctor is one of the most important things to do after a car accident, it is equally crucial to follow their instructions. Unfortunately, some accident victims believe that once they have established contact with a doctor, they do not need to do more than that. Others believe that a few trips to the doctor are all they need to prove that the accident indeed occurred. That is not true.

When you get injured in a car accident and file a claim to recover damages, the insurance company responsible for processing the settlement will look into every detail of the accident. Keep in mind that these companies profit by maximizing premiums and managing risks. In this case, from an insurance provider’s perspective, paying out what they owe is considered a loss.

This also explains why they will hire claims adjusters to investigate every aspect of your claim. And if you do not follow your doctor’s instructions, the insurer will argue that you were not seriously injured.

Secondly, you risk your own health if you do not follow the doctor’s instructions. For example, if you need to attend a follow-up appointment to check the condition of your wounds but fail to do so, the wound could get infected. And when that happens, the insurance company will not be responsible. Instead, they will claim that you made the condition worse by failing to follow your doctor’s instructions.

Can My Primary Care Doctor Refuse Treat Me After a Car Accident?

Yes, they can. In fact, such cases are incredibly common. Your primary care doctor might refuse to treat you for two reasons.

Firstly, they might refuse to treat you because they do not know how to bill insurance companies. Remember that this process is usually lengthy and not as straightforward. The insurance company will likely dispute your claim, making it difficult for your primary care doctor to recover the treatment costs.

They might also refuse to treat you because they do not want to testify in court. This happens a lot, especially if the other party disputes your claim. Because your primary care doctor is not usually familiar with the legal process, they will want to avoid anything requiring them to appear in court for questioning.

What Should I Tell My Car Accident Doctor During the Initial Consultation?

It is important to prepare in advance for the meeting with your car accident doctor. Some essential details they may need to know in order to provide the best possible treatment include:

Your medical history: This is usually one of the key things the insurance company looks at when deciding the amount you are entitled to as compensation for your injuries. And if you had a pre-existing condition, they will try to blame it for some of the injuries you sustained. Discussing your medical history with your car accident lawyer allows them to separate facts from fiction when defending your medical history.

How the accident occurred: You will also need to explain, in detail, how the accident occurred. This can help your doctor learn more about your symptoms and the kind of injuries you may have sustained during the accident.

How you feel: When your doctor knows how you feel, they can help you get the best possible treatment for your injuries. For example, suppose you feel pain in your neck area. In that case, you may need chiropractic treatment for whiplash in addition to regular treatment by your doctor.

Your symptoms: This will also help your doctor choose the best treatment method for you.

Need a Car Accident Doctor? Contact Morgan and Morgan

Choosing the right car accident doctor can be complicated and massively overwhelming. It is even more complex when you are nursing serious injuries. Rather than spending days or weeks searching for a doctor, Morgan and Morgan can help you get the treatment you deserve much faster.

Our car accident attorneys usually work with a network of doctors in every state because we are the biggest personal injury firm in the country. When you contact us for a free case evaluation, we might be able to refer you to a qualified doctor who will treat you and also help build a strong case for you.