While experiencing a car accident is bad enough, dealing with the Doctors, Attorneys and mechanics only make matters worse. Car wrecks are one of the most stressful events many of us will ever experience in life. Moreover, many collision injuries are unique and require special attention from a trained accident doctor. Many accident victims will visit the Emergency Room to diagnose any life-threatening injuries. However, the ER will not provide long term treatment, and will oftentimes recommend seeking follow up treatment from an accident doctor within a few days to a week.
If you have suffered Soft tissue injuries, you may want to see a chiropractor. A chiropractor is trained to treat soft tissue injuries. A primary care doctor may give you some painkillers and muscle relaxers and send you home with a follow up two weeks later. You want to make sure you are free from pain and healthy following an auto accident. If you chose to do nothing about your auto injuries, it’s possible those injuries could be with you for quite some time.
Can I see any Doctor after the Emergency Room?
There are Doctors who accept health care and/or cash for payment, and then there are Doctors who handle accident injuries. Many family Primary Care Physicians will not accept third party billing, which is a general name for car insurance, PIP, Med Pay, NO Fault and Letters of Protection from an attorney. Make sure to ask if your family Doctor accepts third party billing before receiving treatment or you could get stuck with the medical bills.
Now for the good news. There are Medical Doctors, Chiropractors and Physical Therapists who specialize in complicated automobile accident injuries. Moreover, these Doctors are trained in the documentation required for a successful personal injury claim. Whereas, most family PCPs are not trained on the documentation required for slip and fall and automobile cases, which is why they will likely deny accident treatment.
See a doctor for minor injuries
If you have suffered a minor or major accident and feel discomfort or pain, see a chiropractor or a doctor right away. This is only to protect yourself, but also to find out what is wrong with your body and what injuries you may have. The quicker you go see a car accident doctor, the quicker you can recover from your injuries.
- Arm Pain
- Back Pain
- Contusions (bruising)
- Depression
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Leg Pain
- Muscle Weakness
- Neck Pain
- Numbness
- Shoulder Pain
- Spasms
- Sprains
- Strains
- Tension
- Tingling sensation
- Whiplash
What is the time frame to see a Doctor after a car wreck?
We generally recommend seeking treatment within 72 hours after any serious car accident. Of course, PIP coverage gives all passengers access to medical care after any car accident, but you must receive treatment within the time determined by your State. You can always call one of our Doctors to see if you qualify for PIP coverage or check online.
In addition, delayed treatment may lead to additional injuries and could damage your personal injury claim. Your body is in a weakened state after any serious collision, which leaves you vulnerable to worsening pain and injuries. Make sure that your Accident Physician understands the documentation required for complicated personal injury cases, and accepts third party billing.
Why 72 hours?
Insurance companies use advanced computer software models to calculate injury claims. In these models, 72 hours is commonly seen as a reasonable amount of time to seek medical treatment if you are injured. Moreover, the insurance company is incentivized to limit your injury claim. They will look at delays and gaps in treatment as signs that you are not truly injured, which could damage your injury claim.
Additionally, many automobile accident injuries are considered Soft Tissue Injuries. And while soft tissue damage sounds harmless, many STIs can lead to permanent damage and pain if left untreated. Furthermore, STIs may take days or even weeks to feel and are nearly undetectable with X-Rays, MRI or other imaging. Don’t delay treatment if you have been injured in a car, bus or slip and fall accident. Early detection is one of the keys to a speedy and pain free recovery.
Waiting to seek medical care is not good for a personal injury case
Waiting to seek medical care from a doctor or a chiropractor after you have been injured in a car accident can have devastating effects on a personal injury case. One thing the insurance company will look at is how quickly did you receive or seek medical attention after your car accident, a day, a week, a month? Minor accident can cause underlying injuries that may not be detected right away.
I don’t have money for a Doctor
Not all Doctors welcome accident patients for a number of reasons. For one, many Medical Clinics and physical therapists want their money up front. For example, many Urgent Care Clinics will only accept health care or cash for payment, similar to your Family PCP. Make sure to ask the Doctor if they accept third party billing for car accidents before seeking treatment.
In states that offer PIP or NO Fault coverage, you should not pay out of pocket for medical care following an auto accident. PIP insurance allows the Doctor to bill the insurance company directly, without the need of an attorney. However, if your injuries will require more treatment than PIP will cover, then you may need to hire an Injury Attorney. Talk to your Doctor about the pros and cons of using an attorney.
If you don’t know what to do after a car crash, contact our team and we will help you find a qualified Accident Doctor, and Attorney if needed. Our team can help you get treatment within 72 hours, from an Injury Clinic that accepts third party billing. Moreover, all of our Physicians are trained in the documentation required for complicated collision cases.
Is it ok to go see my chiropractor after my accident?
The insurance company uses a software model that recognizes a chiropractor as a qualified physician. A chiropractor is a Doctor with a specialized focus on more natural, noninvasive medical care. Chiropractors can do more than just crack your neck and back. A good Chiropractor will provide a medical exam similar to your Family PCP; however, they cannot prescribe certain medications.
Research shows that you can suffer injuries even if you have minor or no physical damage done to your car. A chiropractor can treat soft tissue injuries perhaps better than any other doctor.
The majority of accident injuries suffered in minor auto accident are soft tissue injuries. A chiropractor can help you recovery quickly and safely after your auto accident.
A qualified Accident Doctor can go under many different names. A general list includes chiropractors, medical doctors, physical therapists, pain management specialist and others. However, they all share one thing in common, they specialize in car accident treatment. Most Doctors specialize in one area, which makes them exceptional in that area of treatment. A good accident clinic will offer an integrated approach to accident and injury treatment that includes a team of Doctors.
Issues a chiropractor can address
Reduction of pain
When a minor or major accident occurs it’s possible that your joints, muscle and tendons could become inflamed, if left untreated this could become scar tissue leading to future health issues. Whiplash is the most common of these injuries. A chiropractor can treat and resolve much of your pain with these types of conditions
Preventing Further Damage
Receiving chiropractic therapy can reduce further damage by strengthening and stabilizing your spine and neck. You could be very vulnerable to another injury at work or around your home because of your muscle weakness in your neck and back
Restoring Mobility
It’s very common to be sore after an auto accident. You may not be able to move as well as you did before the auto accident. A chiropractor can help you restore mobility to your body and get you active again after your car wreck.
The legal side to not seeing a doctor after a car wreck
Here is the downside to not seeing a doctor after an auto accident. If you never see a doctor after a car accident, do you think the insurance company is going to believe that you were hurt in that accident? If you are hurt, and you wait to seek medical care, how do you think that looks to the insurance company?
Can I use my health insurance for car accident treatment?
Third party billing for car accidents does not include health insurance. Moreover, the insurance company will likely deny your claim, leaving you owing the medical bills. Third party billing includes letters of protection from an attorney, PIP, NO Fault, Med Pay and other standard automobile insurance plans. It is always a good idea to ask your Injury Doctor if they accept third party billing before receiving treatment. This will ensure that you do not get stuck paying out of pocket for treatment.
Call today if you or someone you love were injured in a car accident. All of our clinics offer an integrated approach to medical care including Medical Doctors, Chiropractors and Physical Therapists.