Every car accident is different, and each person heals in their own unique way. Always remember that seeking medical attention is the best thing you can do to help satisfy the insurance company and prevent additional injuries. This is why we generally recommend seeing a Doctor within 72 hours to be safe.
However, we have found that many people will delay treatment either because they are worried about how to pay for treatment or they are convinced that their injuries will go away with medication and time. Again, seeking medical care will not only help support your injury claim, it will also help avoid unnecessary pain and suffering.
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At Fault Car Accident Treatment
For starters, you should always see a Doctor after any car wreck, regardless of who was at fault. You can always get a new car or fix the old one but you cannot easily replace your health and vitality. Seeking medical care is the only way to know the extent of your injuries. Always remember that many soft tissue injuries can take several days or even weeks to feel. Moreover, many accident injuries can lead to permanent damage without proper treatment.
Luckily, most PIP states provide up to $50,000 in medical coverage to all passengers, regardless of who was driving or who was at fault. However, you generally need to document your injuries to qualify for PIP benefits. Some states require you to see a doctor within 14 days. While others have no limit. Failure to see a Doctor in time may disqualify your PIP coverage, so be sure to check the PIP limits in your state. All of our Doctors can help you understand the medical options available if needed.
Other options when at fault in a car wreck include contacting an attorney, Med Pay and/or paying out of pocket for treatment. Just remember that delays and gaps in treatment can be used against you by the insurance company to limit or deny your claim. Call our customer support line if you were at fault and need help locating an Accident Doctor.
Not at Fault Car Accident Treatment
As mentioned, seeking medical care is the best thing you can do to help satisfy the insurance company after any serious car wreck. Luckily, obtaining treatment is generally much easier if you were not at fault in the accident. Regardless of who was at fault, make sure to seek immediate medical care. We generally recommend seeking treatment within 72 hours and no later than 14 days after the auto accident.
In general, any accident Physician should be able to treat your injuries after a No-Fault car accident. However, some Doctors may require a Letter of Protection from an attorney before providing medical care. Don’t be afraid to ask your Doctor for recommendations for a good attorney. A good Injury Clinic works with hundreds of different attorneys. Moreover, they can provide information for attorneys who specialize in your specific injury needs.
In PIP states, most Accident Physicians will bill the insurance company directly, without the need of using an attorney. In fact, most PIP states provide access to medical care to all passengers, regardless of who was at fault. However, there may be time and billing limits, so be sure to check with the guidelines for your state, or contact a Doctor in our database.
Billing Options for Car Accident Treatment
As mentioned, the billing options for at fault and no fault car accidents can be very different depending on your state. Automobile accident insurance is commonly referred to as third party billing. A list of commonly accepted third party billing options includes:
- Automobile Insurance
- Med Pay
- PIP or Personal Injury Protection
- LOP or Letter of Protection from an attorney
Any good Injury Clinic will accept all forms of third party billing. Make sure to ask your Clinic if they accept third party billing before accepting treatment. Many Doctors, including your Family PCP, will only accept healthcare insurance or cash for payment. Not to mention that your claim could get denied when attempting to use healthcare insurance for auto accident treatment.
Family PCP and Car Accident Treatment
One of the common questions we get is whether you can see your Family PCP after a car accident. In general, most family physicians cannot accept the billing required to treat automobile accident injuries. For instance, your Family Physician will commonly accept heath care insurance or cash for payment. However, car accident treatment requires third party billing such as PIP, No Fault or Auto Insurance.
The second mistake we see is when car wreck victims attempt to use their healthcare insurance when they realize that their Family Doctor will not treat accident injuries. Always remember that your claim could get limited or denied if they find out that you were involved in a car wreck. As a result, most Medical Doctors will decline treatment after a car wreck as they could be responsible for the collection of medical bills.
That being said, we do recommend informing your Family Physician after any car wreck. Your Family PCP has a history of all past treatment provided, medication allergies and more. Just be prepared to find a good Injury Clinic for long-term treatment that includes a team of Medical Doctors, Chiropractors and Physical Therapists. You can always find a qualified Accident Clinic by using our Doctor locator.
Steps to take if you were At Fault for a car wreck
Collect evidence
Regardless of who was at fault, there are simple steps that you can take to minimize the stress and damage after an automobile accident. Collecting documentation should be the goal after any car wreck, which starts at the scene of the accident. Make sure to take pictures of everything following the car wreck. Items of interest include the persons involved, license plates and/or vehicles, location, noticeable injuries and anything abnormal.
Accident Report
Next, be sure to request a copy of the accident report and check the report for any errors or misspellings. Inform the officer on site if you find any mistakes in the report before leaving the scene of the accident if possible. As mentioned, documentation is going to be your best defense after any car wreck. And the accident report gives the insurance company the information they need and starts the documentation string. In addition, the accident report helps in case stories change after the car wreck.
Injuries
Lastly, make sure to document your injuries as soon as possible. Not only does this help support your personal injury claim but it also helps prevent additional injuries. The body is weak after any car wreck, which commonly leads to further damage and pain without proper care. Furthermore, seeking medical care is the best thing you can do to help satisfy the insurance company as delays in treatment could be used against you.
Following these simple steps can make a big difference after any automobile accident. In general, both gaps and delays in treatment can be used against you by the insurance company to limit or deny your claim. In addition, make sure to check the PIP time limits in your state to qualify for treatment after any car accident. Otherwise, you may be forced to use an attorney or pay out of pocket for treatment.