Get Medical Attention ASAP
It should be clear that if you have been involved in an auto accident and you are hurt or feel pain, you need to see an Accident Doctor right away. We get calls every day from patients who have delayed treatment. And, don’t know what to do. Time has passed and they don’t know where they can go to get medical treatment after an auto accident. If the injury is serious, then you are more than likely headed to the ER for further evaluation. However, if you did not go to the ER, then you should seek medical care no longer than 72 hours after the accident.
Severe Injuries
If the injury is a broken bone or severe trauma, then going to the ER would be a good start. Head injuries, closed or open, need immediate medical attention as well. However, getting follow up treatment after the ER is where most people face challenges.
Some of those challenges might include:
- My primary care doctor will not see me for an auto accident
- Doctors want me to pay for every visit
- I can’t find a doctor to treat auto injuries
- I don’t have any money to see a doctor
- Do I need an attorney to get treatment?
Delayed Injuries
Getting medical attention after an auto accident should be a priority. Auto accidents can cause many different types of injuries ranging from broken bones to whiplash. Some injuries are defined as delayed injuries or delayed onset of pain.
For example, you could feel fine after the accident, but days or weeks later you may start to feel pain or discomfort. Seeing a doctor right after an auto accident is one way to diagnose your injuries, and protect you in the event you need to file a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance carrier. Even minor car accidents can cause significant injuries.
Deadlines
In some states, such as Florida, you need to see a doctor within 15 days of the accident in order for the pip benefits to pay for your treatment. If you don’t see one, you may be paying for all medical cost associated with your car accident. Other states have laws in place that protect you for much longer time period.
Take pictures of any injuries after a car accident
Your cell phone makes it very easy to access a camera, and that gives you an advantage after a car accident. Taking pictures gives you visual documentation of your injuries. Moreover, you can take pictures of the vehicles involved, license plates, location, position of the vehicles and much more. Generally speaking, you cannot collect too much documentation when it comes to a car accident.
You should show your Accident Doctor the pictures of your injuries. Pictures will help your Car Wreck Physician further understand your injuries. Not to mention, your pictures may be used if your personal injury claim goes to court.
Furthermore, if you accident report is written up wrong, pictures may be the only thing that will get it changed. This is why it is so important to get a Doctor who understands how to properly treat and document all of your collision injuries.
Finding a doctor who treats auto injuries
Finding a doctor who treats auto injuries can be a daunting task. You may find yourself calling doctors and being turned away. They may say things like we don’t treat auto accidents or accept third party billing. Doctors who do treat auto accidents are fewer than you might think. However, it really depends on the laws of your state. For states that have PIP or personal injury protection, you may find that there is a surplus of doctors who treat auto injuries.
Just because a doctor will treat an auto injury does not make him good at it!!
Pip states
Doctors who treat auto accident injuries are just like any other profession; you have good ones and not so good ones. Moreover, in PIP states where you can find a surplus of physicians that treat auto accident injuries, the number of questionable Physicians grows. Not all Accident Doctors understand how to treat or document car accident injuries. Of course, they will not tell you this up front, which leaves you stuck in a bad situation after months of treatment.
Non pip states
However, treatment and billing can be much more difficult in a non-PIP state. PIP Doctors get paid directly from the insurance company without the need of an attorney. In non-PIP states the Doctor may have to file a lien or work with a personal injury attorney to get paid. In general, finding a Doctor who will treat auto accident injuries is much easier in PIP states. Access our database of Doctors who specialize in car accident injuries.
Should I call an Attorney if I have accident injuries?
Attorneys can help you with your personal injury case. Furthermore, they usually work with a network of doctors they will be able to send you to. You don’t have to get an attorney involved right away if you don’t want to, but you certainly need to see a doctor.
Seeing the doctor ASAP will help the attorney prove your injury came from the car accident. However, if you wait too long to see a doctor, they may have a hard time proving your injury to the insurance company. It’s easier for you and the attorney if you see a doctor as quickly as you can if you have injuries resulting from an auto, truck or motorcycle.
Pip or no fault states
PIP pays for medical care after a car accident. Again, this includes all passengers, regardless of fault, who was driving, etc. You do not need an attorney to qualify for PIP benefits and get medical care after a car collision.
And many would argue that you will just waste time and money. However, if your injuries are more severe and will require more treatment than PIP will cover, then you may need to contact an Accident Attorney.
Non Pip states
If you live in the many states that have no pip or no fault, it may be wise to speak with an attorney. Very few states or doctors will do direct third party billing or actually treat on a medical lien. Most want an attorney’s lien. This ensures they have security when they treat you for your injuries.
Generally speaking, we recommend speaking to your Accident Physician about the need of an attorney. Your Doctor can also give you a list of “good” Accident Attorneys. Not all Attorneys are the same, which is why they commonly have a bad reputation. Talk to your Accident Physician about finding a good Attorney if needed. You can also search our Database of Doctors to get a good recommendation for Accident Attorneys in your area.
Finding the right doctor for your injury
After a serious auto accident, the most important thing you can do is get medical treatment for your injuries. Finding a car accident physician to treat those injuries can be hard, especially if you have never been involved in auto accident. You may not know what to do or who to trust. In some cases, you may need an MRI, X-Rays or possibly a specialist to treat your injuries. Make sure the Auto injury doctor you choose has the ability to document all of your injuries, not just a quick back adjustment.