When you see the doctor after a car accident injury, your health should come first. However, it is not the only thing you should worry about.
What you do at the doctor’s office could affect any legal claim you make. Here are some things to do — and some to avoid — when seeking medical attention for an injury someone else caused.
1. Do not discuss your case
Talking to your doctor about your legal issues is probably not a good idea. Your medical care provider should focus on improving your health. If there is any doubt as to what you should talk about, please ask a lawyer.
2. Seek immediate attention
Even if you only suspect you have an injury, please seek immediate medical attention. We find that insurance companies often use delays in their arguments to lower benefits.
3. Follow doctors’ advice
You should follow the advice your doctors gave you. If you do not believe the diagnosis is appropriate, you could follow directions while seeking a second opinion.
4. Show up for your appointments
When our clients miss a doctors’ appointment, the insurance companies often jump on this as evidence that an injury is not serious. If there are emergencies that lead you to miss an appointment, please make a complete record of what happened.
5. Communicate with your doctor
Your doctors’ records are likely to be an essential element of your car accident case. Please have them make a note of your pain level, how the injuries affect your ability to work and so on.
If you do not see them enter this information into your file, it is acceptable to ask them to do so. It’s as simple as asking this: Could you please make a note of that in my records?
When you have an injury, there is a lot to think about. We support our clients in every way we can, from representing them in negotiations to preparing them for the process ahead.
