Need to Know: What Doctor to See After a Car Accident
Car accident injuries are not something to dismiss. Even if you only have minor aches and pains, you never know how that injury could progress if left untreated or if there might be something worse going on internally. This is why you should ALWAYS seek medical attention after a car accident.
But what kind of doctor should you see?
After a car accident, you can seek treatment from various kinds of doctors. The specific type of doctor you should go to will depend on your situation and the injuries you have sustained.
So let’s take a look to find out what doctor to see after a car accident. And if you have further questions after reading the article, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at Sally Morin for assistance with your San Francisco car accident claim.
The Importance of Seeing a Doctor After a Car Accident
It’s not uncommon for people who have suffered injuries from a car accident to initially feel fine. The adrenaline that floods your body or even the shock you might be in can mask the symptoms of an injury. This is why you should always get checked by a doctor after an accident, just in case.
Even once the adrenaline and shock wear off, there are some injuries that might still not be immediately apparent. For example, bleeding in the brain or even bleeding in the abdomen might not present immediate symptoms. But if you wait until symptoms do appear, it might be too late.
Injuries that also seem minor at first could progress into something more serious if not treated right away. So, no matter the situation, it is important to go to a doctor after being in a car accident.
Furthermore, proof that you sought medical attention is crucial if you intend to file a car accident claim to recover compensation. You can receive compensation for your injuries, for example, but you will need to have medical documents proving that you were injured and that your injuries were problematic enough to warrant a visit to a doctor.
You could still file a claim without going to a doctor, but you are more likely to get a higher-value settlement with proof of your injuries from a doctor. Essentially, in any car accident claim case, the more evidence you can provide that shows what you have had to deal with, the more money you will likely be awarded.
What Doctor to See After a Car Accident
So, now you know the importance of seeking medical attention after an accident. But what about what doctor to see after a car accident?
Depending on your injuries and how severe they are, there are a few different options for seeking medical treatment after a car accident.
- Primary Care Physician: If your injuries are not noticeable or if they are minor and you think you don’t need immediate attention, you can schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor. However, if your symptoms get worse or if new symptoms appear before your appointment, do not hesitate to seek emergency medical attention.
- ER Doctor: If your injuries are noticeable and you cannot wait to be treated, go to an emergency room to be treated. This includes treatment for minor and severe injuries that need attention right away. For example, a sprained ankle is not as severe as a head injury, but it is something that you will still need to be treated for as soon as possible to prevent the injury from getting worse.
- Urgent Care Doctor: If your injury isn’t too severe and you don’t think you need to go to the ER, but you still need to be treated right away, you can see an urgent care doctor.
- A Specialist: In some cases, when you seek treatment at the ER or through your primary care physician, you may end up being referred to a specialist. Common specialists that treat car accident patients include orthopedists, neurologists, and chiropractors.
What Do Doctors Check After a Car Accident?
A visit to a doctor’s office or an emergency room can involve different processes depending on your injuries. With severe injuries that are life-threatening, you will likely be rushed to the hospital, and you may be taken immediately into surgery so your injuries can be stabilized.
However, for other injuries, the doctor might first ask you questions and run tests to diagnose the problem. This can include a physical exam, blood tests, CT scans, X-rays, or an MRI.
You may even be asked about your medical history to determine if you have pre-existing conditions that are contributing to the injury or that could make it worse or change how you need to be treated.
What to Say to a Doctor After a Car Accident?
Seeing a doctor in the first place is just as important as what you say to your doctor after a car accident. You want to be as honest and thorough with your details as possible to ensure you get the best treatment possible.
Things you should discuss with your doctor after a car accident include:
- Your medical history: Do not leave details out of your medical history just because you think they are not relevant. For example, having diabetes could affect a current injury and how it heals. Or even a history of asthma could play a role—you never know. Avoiding telling something about your medical history to your doctor could negatively affect your treatment and recovery process.
- How you got hurt in the accident: You should not go into full detail about the accident, as this information could potentially be used against you in an accident case. However, the specifics of how you were injured can help your doctor better treat you. For example, you don’t need to tell the doctor if you were speeding or ran a red light, etc.—but you should tell them if you hit your head and chest on the steering wheel or dashboard upon impact.
- How long it will take you to heal: Knowing your healing outcome is important as it can help you plan for the road ahead, and it serves as evidence that can help you get more money for your car accident claim. For example, if your doctor thinks it will take you months to recover, you may be entitled to more compensation than if the injury is something minor that will heal in a week or two.
- If you can return to work: Being able to work or not is another factor that can play a role in your car accident claim. If you can’t work for a few months while you are healing, for instance, you may be entitled to compensation that makes up for that loss of income. Knowing whether or not you can return to work is also important so you can make preparations to better support yourself or your family.
We Handle Your Car Accident Claim So You Can Focus On Your Life
Being injured in a car accident can be traumatizing and expensive, but you have a right to receive medical treatment and potentially have those expenses compensated. If you are struggling to find a doctor who will treat you or if you need help with any other aspect of your car accident claim, our team of lawyers can assist you.
At Sally Morin, we’ll help you navigate your claim so you can get the compensation you deserve and focus on rest and recovery. Call us at 877-380-8852 or contact us online today for a free case evaluation.
