What Type of Doctor Should I See After a Car Accident?

Have you been in a car wreck and want to know the type of medical care you should seek? Car accident injuries can range from minor bruising to serious, life-threatening conditions, so you’ll need to see a doctor who can properly evaluate and treat you. If the other driver was at fault for the accident, you may be entitled to compensation from their insurance company.

Seeing a doctor helps back up your claim for damages, but having a trusted Atlanta car accident lawyer on your side ensures fair compensation. To learn how a doctor’s documentation impacts your settlement, we’ve compiled commonly asked questions from our decades of legal experience.

The Importance of Timely Treatment By the Right Doctor

After an auto accident, seeking timely medical care from the appropriate doctor is just as important as finding a reputable Atlanta personal injury lawyer to file your injury claim. 

• Prompt medical treatment can significantly impact your road to recovery, especially when dealing with severe injuries such as broken bones, spinal cord injuries, or internal injuries.
• Visiting urgent care centers immediately after an accident can be a good option if you cannot see your primary care physician right away. These facilities are equipped to handle a variety of potential injuries, including soft tissue injuries and fractures. However, for more specialized care, you may need to consult specific types of doctors(i.e., an orthopedic doctor for treating broken bones).
• In addition to initial treatment, follow-up treatments are vital. Physical therapists play a key role in rehabilitation, helping you regain strength and mobility after injuries. Depending on the nature of your injuries, advanced treatment options may also be recommended.

Our personal injury attorneys involved can help ensure that your treatment and recovery process is documented properly, enhancing your injury claim. By prioritizing timely treatment from the right care providers, you increase your chances of a successful recovery and mitigate long-term complications.

What Type of Treatment Should You Get Right After a Car Accident?

The most important factor after a car accident is your health. A medical professional needs to check out your injuries so you can get the treatment you need. The type of treatment you receive and the doctor you see depends on the severity of your injuries.

Depending on the situation, you may need to see a(n):

• Emergency room doctor
• Urgent care doctor
• Primary care physician
• Medical specialists, such as a surgeon, neurologist, or psychiatrist

Should I Visit an Emergency Room Doctor After an Auto Crash?

If your injuries are serious, you will need to see a doctor in the emergency room (ER) immediately after your car accident. Life-threatening injuries should be addressed right away, so call 911 at the scene of the accident if you need an ambulance. Do not delay getting the treatment you need right away.

The ER is also your best option if your accident happens late at night and your injuries worsen soon afterward. An ER doctor will be available at any time of the night outside of regular clinic office hours.

Why Is IT Better to See an Urgent Care or Primary Care Doctor After an Accident?

If you do not have life-threatening injuries, plan to see your doctor as soon as possible after the accident. You could drive yourself to an urgent care clinic to get examined and treated. These typically have longer clinical hours than a primary care physician (PCP), and you can walk in without an appointment.

If your injuries can wait long enough to make an appointment, you can call your PCP and tell them you need a physical examination for a car accident. Be warned, however, that many primary doctors will not see someone after a car accident (more on that below).

Tell the doctor how you feel, and mention anything that feels painful or “off.” Let them know if your injuries affect your day-to-day life in any way. They can examine any clear injuries or run a series of tests to check for other problems. An accurate diagnosis will ensure you receive proper treatment.

When Should I See a Medical Specialist After a Car Accident?

In some situations, your doctor may refer you to a specialist for additional treatment or testing. This might be because you need surgeries or have specific injuries. Seeing a specialist can improve your treatment timeline.

Also, be sure to:

• Follow all instructions from your doctor. If they ask you to schedule an appointment with a specialist, do it as soon as you can
• Keep up with all appointments and treatment directions
• Listen to your doctor so you heal properly, and don’t put yourself at increased risk

You will also need to be responsible for your treatment for insurance purposes. If you’re making an insurance claim for damages and don’t keep up with doctor’s appointments, the insurance company may claim you aren’t hurt as badly as you say you are. It can hurt your chances of receiving fair compensation.

What if Your Primary Care Doctor Won’t See You After the Accident?

For example, if a motorist injured a pedestrian, the victim would be legally entitled to file an insurance claim against that driver for damages. With the help of an Atlanta pedestrian accident lawyer, losses would be calculated and requested in a demand letter. Below, we’ll break down the most common damages you’re entitled to from an accident.

This is actually incredibly common. A lot of doctors will not see car accident victims because they are either:

• Not set up to bill auto insurance companies
• Uncomfortable treating car accident injuries in case they could be called to testify in court

There are still primary care doctors who will treat car accident victims, but they are harder to find than ever. If your PCP’s office tells you that they won’t treat you, call a personal injury law firm like John Foy & Associates. You can speak to a car accident lawyer, and they can set you up with a doctor in your area who will treat you.

If you need treatment right away and can’t find a doctor who can help, go to the ER or urgent care. Even if you have to pay out of pocket, the fees are subject to reimbursement from your claim.

Do You Always Have to See a Doctor After a Car Accident?

Yes. It’s best to see a doctor even if you feel fine. Many car accident injuries are not apparent right away, and they can worsen quickly once they show up. For example, you can have any of the following injuries and not know right away:

• Head and neck injuries, such as whiplash, concussion, or brain blood clots
• Injury or damage to back muscles, nerves, or ligaments
• Internal bleeding
• Spinal column injuries
• Fractures
• Traumatic brain injuries

It can be easy to overlook symptoms like headaches, minor aches and pains, numbness, or swelling, but these can all be signs of something more serious. It’s best to get checked out.

When Should You Contact an Attorney?

You should contact an attorney immediately after your accident. The statute of limitations starts to run from the date of your accident, so you cannot afford to lose time.

We’ll help you gather all the crucial evidence you need, including medical documents and receipts, to prove the extent of your injuries and to help you seek compensation.

What If You Can’t Afford an Attorney?

If you can’t afford an attorney, don’t worry – our firm works on contingency. This means that you don’t owe us anything at all until your settlement comes in. And if you, for some reason, lose your case and don’t win anything at all, you don’t owe us anything at all, either.

If You Need Help Handling Your Car Accident Claim, Contact Our Attorneys Today

John Foy & Associates can help answer any of your questions after a car accident, including how to make sure you see the right doctor. Our injury lawyers have been helping car accident victims win the compensation they need for years, and we can help you, too—starting with a free consultation. To get started today, call us now.