How To Find the Right Doctor After a Car Accident

Well, you got into a car accident. While that doesn’t hit a positive note in anyone's playbook, what you do and who you see after your accident can make all the difference. Of course, after an accident, we completely understand that it may seem incredibly overwhelming to pinpoint which doctor(s) you need to pay a visit to help properly treat your injuries. So, in order to help make your life a little easier, below we’ve taken the time to break down the process behind what you should do after you’ve been involved in a car accident and which doctors you should consider contacting for help with your injuries.

How Do You Know Which Doctor Is the Right Doctor After a Car Accident?

After you’ve been involved in a car accident, you’ll need to ensure you are seeing the right doctor to help treat your injuries. While you may think an appointment with your primary care doctor / general practitioner is good enough, this may not be the case. As stated in the name, a general practitioner is there to help with general issues and can only take you so far when treating your injuries. In case your injuries surpass their scope, you'll need to seek help from a specialist.

Doctors Who Treat Car Accident Injuries

Did you know that there are several doctors and specialists with the skills to treat accident injuries? While we highly recommend you visit your primary care doctor after an accident, sometimes their bandwidth is limited, and they may not be able to provide you with the specific care you need to treat your crash trauma. Below, we’ve provided you with a list of doctors who specialize in automobile accident injuries.

Burn specialists: As specified in the name, victims who suffer from burn injuries after an accident will need to see a burn specialist who has extensive training in handling trauma and critical injuries caused by auto accidents.

Emergency room physician: After an accident where you’ve suffered a severe or life-threatening emergency, you’ll need immediate care from an emergency room physician.

General surgeon: Typically part of what is known as a “surgical team,” general surgeons are equipped to treat internal injuries you may have suffered after an accident. Surgical teams may include nurses, technicians, and anesthesiologists.

Neurologist: If you have suffered a spinal cord or nerve injury after a car accident, a neurologist will be able to recognize the symptoms and get you started on the necessary treatment to prevent your injuries from getting worse.

Orthopedic surgeon: After an accident, you may have suffered from broken bones or other injuries pertaining to your tendons or muscles. An orthopedic surgeon can help patients reduce the pain and gradually regain function in the injured area with surgical procedures.

Pain management doctor: Whether your injuries are at 1 or 9 on the pain scale, a pain management doctor can help you alleviate the pain you may be suffering.

Personal injury specialist: Specifically specialized in the area of injuries after an accident, a personal injury specialist can help victims identify their injuries and formulate strategic plans of care to remedy them. 

Physical therapist: Your injuries may require you to build strength in certain areas of the body to regain any lost mobility, flexibility, or balance. A physical therapist can help you not only build strength but also manage any pain symptoms you are suffering from.

Plastic surgeon: After an accident, you may suffer from severe scarring due to deep facial cuts or broken bones. A plastic surgeon will be able to repair your injuries and provide you with aesthetically pleasing results. 

Radiologist: If you require X-rays, MRIs, CAT scans, or any other imaging studies, a radiologist can provide these details to your physician.

Trauma surgeon: In the event you have suffered injuries like broken bones, fractures, internal injuries, shock, or burns after an accident, a trauma surgeon may perform surgery to repair any severe or critical injuries.

After you’ve been involved in an accident, speak to your primary care physician and ask if they can refer you to any of the physicians listed above. 

Five Tips To Keep in Mind After a Car Accident

Did you know that tips help the world go round? While that may not be entirely true, some tips may help save your life after you’ve been involved in a car accident. Below are five tips you should keep in mind after you’ve been involved in a car accident.

Do Not Refuse Medical Attention at the Scene of the Accident

You may think that you are in the clear because you survived the initial accident. Well, according to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.19 million people are cut short as a result of a car crash. Of those 1.9 million, roughly 20 to 50 million more people suffer non-fatal injuries, with many incurring a disability. So, while you may not die after an accident, the risks of internal bleeding or concussion are there. It is better not to take chances with your life. Allow the emergency medical personnel on the scene to evaluate your body after an accident and ensure you are not in immediate danger.

Confirm Your Injuries With a Medical Professional

After an accident, there is no such thing as being “too careful,” head to the hospital and get evaluated by your doctor. A doctor may be able to detect any other injuries you may have suffered after the accident that the emergency personnel may have missed. Ask your doctor to perform a complete body exam, run X-rays and scans, or inspect any areas you may have potentially injured. 

Collect Your Medical Records

Before you get nervous, it’s simpler than you may think. In order to collect your medical records, all you have to do is call the hospital or medical facilities you’ve attended and request a copy of your records. In some cases, certain medical providers keep your records on a patient portal. If you have access, login, and you’ll be able to find any lab reports, immunization records, or notes from your doctor. 

Request To See a Specialist

When trying to find the right doctor after you’ve been involved in an accident, your primary care doctor may not be the right person to help you. While your doctor may be able to assess your general injuries, a primary care doctor may not be able to treat certain injuries or symptoms. When speaking to your doctor, request to be referred to a specialist. A specialist will be able to further evaluate the extent of your injuries and provide you with the appropriate treatments, even spotting injuries your primary care doctor may have missed. 

If your doctor is hesitant to refer you, and you or a loved one suffer from any injuries, or a loved one has lost their life due to their negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation. For more information, we highly recommend you connect with a car accident attorney.

File a Claim With Your Insurance

Did you know your insurance company may deny your claim if you do not seek medical attention? If you do not see a doctor after your accident, your insurance company may claim your injuries did not manifest due to the accident to avoid the responsibility of providing you with the proper compensation you deserve. To avoid being denied by your insurance company, ensure you’ve followed the previous four steps. 

After you’ve seen a medical professional, contact your insurance regarding the injuries you’ve suffered. You’ll then be required to present them with your medical history as they investigate your claim.

Keep Up With Post-Treatment Care

Ok, so, technically, this is a 6th tip, but in reality, it is one of the most important tips you’ll need to follow in order to ensure you’re setting yourself up for success. In order to make your claim stronger, you’ll need to make sure you are following any post-accident care or medicine prescribed to you, as well as consistently following up with your doctors. Keep track of your medical care and how your injuries are progressing, and take note of anything you feel was caused by the accident. 

Often, car accident victims will ignore the “small” signs of a much larger issue. So, make sure you are keeping a medical journal of the symptoms you feel. Jot down anything along the lines of headaches, sore muscles, fatigue, tingling sensations, restless nights, or even snoring. Remember, no symptom is too insignificant. Some symptoms may not always manifest right away, which is why you’ll want to make sure you are diligently tracking any changes you notice as time goes on, even if it's six months after the accident.

Contact a Morgan & Morgan Car Accident Attorney Today

After a car accident, you may feel like you have nowhere to turn. At Morgan & Morgan, we have over 800 trial-ready attorneys who are highly specialized in specific areas of the law and are more than equipped to handle your case. When you decide to work with our law firm, we ensure you not only have access to the largest resources in America but are also treated like family. Believe us when we say we understand better than anyone the hardships you or a loved one may suffer after a car accident. Our attorneys are here to ensure you have the best shot at recovering the compensation you and your loved ones deserve. 

For over 35 years, our law firm has helped thousands of car accident victims get the justice they deserve after they’ve been injured, and we want to help you, too. If you have suffered an injury due to a car accident, do not wait to seek help from an attorney. For more information on how a Morgan & Morgan car accident attorney may be able to help you, complete our free, no-obligation case evaluation form today.