Life following a car accident can be a stressful and challenging time, and neglecting injuries — even those that seem minor — can have a lasting impact on your health. Car crashes often leave some form of injury that can vary from minor to severe. Choosing the right medical doctor to treat your injuries will ensure you’re properly cared for and are on the path to recovery.
Why You Should Seek Medical Treatment Immediately Following An Auto Accident
There are several reasons why you should seek medical treatment immediately after an auto accident. The first reason is to ensure all injuries are recognized and tended to to ensure they do not worsen. Additionally, many injuries such as whiplash can take hours, days, or even weeks to be felt, and waiting to see a doctor will only worsen the condition.
What type of medical care you choose to seek will depend on the severity of your injuries. Most individuals are taken to the emergency room following an accident to be promptly seen and assessed by physicians. Once an assessment and tests are ran, the emergency room physician may refer you to a specialist or another department within the hospital. Some individuals may be sent home to recover on their own if injuries are not severe.
Another reason why seeing medical care after an accident is important is because it provides you with important documentation needed when filing a personal injury claim. Every detail of your injuries and medical treatment must be documented to show the insurance company or court that your injuries were a direct result of the accident. This documentation will support your claim and potentially ensure you receive the compensation you need and deserve.
Types Of Injuries Incurred In An A Car Accident
There are several types of injuries a person can sustain in an accident. Some are more common injuries while other are severe or even life-threatening injuries.
Examples of specific injuries incurred in car crashes include:
- Sprains and strains
- Herniated discs
- Brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Cuts and bruises
- Lacerations
- Amputation
- Whiplash
All of these injures would be assessed by a doctor as soon as possible after an accident. Even if you only feel minor back pain after a crash, it’s still important to get medical help to ensure it’s not a more serious injury that you simply can’t see.
Types Of Doctors You May Need To See
There are a number of different types of doctors you may see following an accident. The specific type of doctor will largely depend on your injuries. Examples of doctors you may encounter include:
Emergency Room Doctor
This is typically the first type of doctor you’ll encounter when seeking medical attention immediately following an accident. An emergency room doctor will do a full assessment, run tests such as x-rays as necessary, and determine whether you need to be referred to a specialist or surgeon for your injuries.
Primary Care Physician
Primary care doctors are typically not the first doctors you should see as it can take days or weeks to get in for an appointment. Primary care doctors also do not specialize in serious injuries, and injury detection can be more difficult in this setting. However, you may need to regularly follow-up with your primary care physician after your accident to ensure you are healing properly.
Urgent Care Doctor
An urgent care physician is similar to a primary care physician but can typically see patients on a say-day, first-come-first-serve basis. While they have limited testing available, they can assess you and determine if you need to seek more advanced treatment.
Neck And Spinal Cord Doctors
Neck and spinal cord doctors are physicians you would see if you incurred injuries to your neck or spine. They may perform neck or spine surgery or create a holistic treatment plan to help you recover from your injuries.
Neurosurgeons
A neurosurgeon is a type of doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions that relate to the brain and nervous system. For example, if you suffered a brain injury and require surgery, you would likely be referred to a neurosurgeon.
Neurologists
Neurologists are similar to neurosurgeons in that they specialize in treating and diagnosing conditions of the nervous system and brain. They may perform tests such as MRIs, CATs, and CTs to assess the situation of your bran or nervous system. Unlike neurosurgeons, neurologists do not perform surgery.
Plastic Surgeon
You may need to see a plastic surgeon if a part of your body has been disfigured. For example, if you received a large scar on your face that may not heal fully, you may see a plastic surgeon to have the scar removed or covered up.
Orthopedic Surgeon
An orthopedic surgeon is a physician who specializes in the ligaments, tendons, bones, muscles, and joints. Examples of injuries that may result in needing to see this type of medical doctor include those related to the foot, ankle, hip, shoulder, hand, knee, or elbow.
Chiropractic Doctor
Chiropractic doctors are typically seen after initially working with another physician to ensure you are on the right path to healing. Chiropractors can help keep your body aligned and support healing through various treatments such as alignments and body work.
Physical Therapist
Many people need to see physical therapists for weeks or months following a car accident to reclaim their range of motion and the proper functioning of their body parts. Physical therapists work in hospitals, offices, and some will even come to your home to perform physical therapy on the patient.
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Tests A Doctor May Order
There are a number of a tests that a doctor may order to assess your injuries after a car accident. These tests may include:
- Bloodwork
- Liver and kidney function tests
- Balance tests
- Blood oxygen level
- CAT scan
- MRI
- CT scan
- X-rays
- Diagnostic imaging
- Ultrasound
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How To Choose The Right Doctor For You
While a personal injury lawyer can’t heal you or provide medical treatment, they can ensure you get proper referrals as well as compensation for the medical bills you incur on your path to recovery. The dedicated personal injury lawyers at the law firm of Florin|Roebig are here to help as soon as you’re ready. Give us a call today for a confidential and free consultation.
