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What should I ask my doctor after a car accident?

03/03/2021

Car accidents are traumatic and life-changing experiences. Whether major or minor, it would always affect the victims one way or the other. They cause loss and several other damages. What should I ask my doctor about after a car accident.? After auto accidents, one major step you have to take is to visit your primary care doctors.

Your doctor would carry out all the necessary examinations and ensure you are appropriately cared for. However, most people do not realize how important it is to ask their doctors questions. At Firouzbakht Law Firm, we can help you ask the relevant questions.

This article would educate you about the questions you need to ask your doctors and their relevance.

Steps To Take After a Car Accident

The actions you take after a car accident can make or break your case if you decide to file a lawsuit.. Not taking the appropriate steps after a car accident can also result in you losing more than you bargained for. We would be providing you with the essential steps to take immediately after an accident.

A patient sees her doctor after a car accident

Stay in a Safe Area and Check for Injuries

After the accident, if possible, you should get your vehicle and yourself off the road. This would prevent you from being hit by other road users. Then, you proceed to check if you have any physical injuries or feel any pain.

Seek Medical Help

Once you are in a safe area, you should call 9-1-1 and get the paramedics to the accident scene. They would help with whatever pain you feel at that moment. The police would also be there to get a report. Once you can leave the scene, get to a hospital to get a thorough medical treatment.  

Exchange Information With the Other Driver

It is also essential to exchange contact information with the other driver(s) involved in the wreck. You should get the name, address, phone number, and insurance information of the driver.

Document Everything

Take pictures of the accident scene, vehicles, landmarks around the area, etc. It is important to record the conditions that occurred before, during, and after the accident. Do this as soon as possible to avoid forgetting important details.

Contact Your Insurance Company and Attorney

You have to report the accident to your insurance company and personal injury attorney. This will help them prepare if you want to file a lawsuit or pursue your claim.

What should I ask my doctor after a car accident?

Seeing your doctor after car accidents is one of the most crucial steps to take.. Your doctor would ensure that your wounds are not life-threatening. But, if they are, it is the hospital that would handle such injuries. When you get to your doctor’s appointment, there are some inquiries you have to make. Below are six of the most important queries.

1. What Injuries Did I Sustain?

The doctor would not tell you in detail the types of injuries you got from the accident. This is why you need to ask your doctor to give you a list of all your minor and major wounds. If you feel pain anywhere, let them know. Your injuries could determine your treatment plan.

After you have asked this particular question, the physician may end up giving you more details than if you had not asked. You can also make further inquiries like what was the extent of the injuries? That is, is it a minor or severe injury? This would help you in managing your injuries well.  

2. What Effect Would the Accident’s Injuries Have on Me?

Some car accident injuries have been known to leave the patients disabled.. The disability could either be temporary or permanent. Either way, it is always a good idea to ask your doctor if the injuries sustained in the accident can affect you in the future..

Also, some wounds do not show immediately after accidents. Your physician needs to give you a list of the possible future complications you can get from the injury. This would, in turn, make it possible for you to receive compensation for your future expenses and damages.

3. Can I Have Copies of My Medical Records?

Your medical records and reports are essential documents you need if you plan to sue the person responsible for the car crash. Your attorney and insurer would need these documents when building your case.

Your inability to produce these reports can threaten your claim. Because of this, we included this question in the list of questions you should ask during your doctor’s visits.

Before you leave the hospital, request copies of your medical records. It is possible that the other driver’s insurance company would also want to have copies of your medical history. In general, getting your medical reports would definitely help your case.

4. Can I Return to Work?

Staying off work can result in lost wages. These lost wages are part of what you can recover in a personal injury claim. The individual(s) liable for the crash has to compensate you for your time off work. However, if you do not have a doctor’s opinion declaring you unfit to go to work, it may be disadvantageous to your case.

The nature of your job can also determine if you return to work immediately or not. It could take several weeks before you can resume. However, if you cannot resume work during your recovery, ensure that the doctor documents it well.

5. What Type of Medications Should I Take?

There are two ways of getting medications. You can either get them through prescription or over-the-counter (OTC).

It is important to let your doctors know about all the medications you were taking before the accident. This is because there could be negative reactions between the old drugs and the new ones. Letting your doctor know about any previous medication would also reduce the risk of harmful side effects during your treatment plan.

It is equally essential for you to clarify the drugs you need to take for your pain and the exact dosages required for you to take. This would help you avoid overdosing, under-dosing, or abusing your medication.   

6. Would I Need Help From a Specialist?

As we have said earlier, accidents are very traumatic experiences, especially if they were serious. Because of this, doctors recommend that some patients should go to therapy or counseling. Therapy would help them deal with the mental and psychological effects of accidents.

The doctor sees a man that was involved in a car accident in Denver

Some people might also need to go to physical or rehabilitative therapy. Therapy helps patients in their recovery process. You need to confirm from your doctor if you would need any therapist’s services after the accident.

In a personal injury lawsuit, you could also get compensation for therapy and other damages. Ensure you keep the appropriate documentation if you go for therapy.

Get a Personal Injury Lawyer From Firouzbakht Law Firm for Your Case

At Firouzbakht Law, we are an experienced personal injury law firm that dedicates its resources to assist the injured. While you focus on recovering from your pain, we focus on helping you win your case. We have a lot of experience in handling personal injury claims, and we would ensure you get your due compensation for all your damages. Book a free consultation with us today; we are available 24/7.

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