SHOULD I SEE MY PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT?

As we’ve discussed on this blog before, we stay in our lane as attorneys and don’t unduly influence our clients’ course of medical care.  We are attorneys, not doctors, and we know that.  Our clients are, more often than not, though, benefited greatly by having one particular medical provider at the helm of their medical treatment—answering their questions, guiding them, and making appropriate referrals to the needed types of care to address their specific injuries and symptoms.

YES, TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR

While we are not doctors, I do feel we can say with some confidence that, in many situations, your primary care physician is best suited for the role described above (having one particular medical provider at the helm of their medical treatment). Your primary care physician is aware of any and all prior medical issues you have dealt with and how those may or may not have been affected by your crash-related injuries and symptoms.

THEY CAN GIVE YOU REFERRALS FOR THE BEST CARE

Additionally, your primary care physician presumably has a network of other healthcare providers and specialists should it be appropriate to make some sort of referral for you.

Beyond the medical considerations themselves, from a billing and financial perspective presumably your primary care physician is covered by your health insurance. This can be a very important factor in maximizing your ability to get care and in maximizing your potential recovery, depending on the circumstances your face.

IF YOU DON’T HAVE ONE, YOU SHOULD ESTABLISH CARE

If you do not have a primary care physician, you may want to try and establish care with one after being in a car accident.

If you do not have health insurance, there may be ways to find a medical provider who is able to provide care despite that fact.  We outlined on this blog prior the answer to the question: What if I’m in a wreck and don’t have health insurance?

If you’d like to discuss the particular circumstances you are facing, our attorneys would be happy to chat with you. Please feel free to give us a call.