If you’ve recently been injured in a car crash, your first instinct may be to visit a medical professional you’re familiar with and trust, like your primary care doctor. However, don’t be surprised if your primary care doctor turns you away instead of treating you after a car crash.
Primary care doctors often refuse to treat car accident victims. Private practices may choose to do this because they are ill-equipped to treat a victim or because the billing process is too complex. Generally, it’s not a good idea to visit your primary care doctor after an accident. Instead, go to the emergency room, where medical professionals can more easily treat your injuries. Getting the right medical care immediately is crucial, especially if you plan to sue a negligent driver for compensatory damages.
Our attorneys are dedicated to helping injured car crash victims hold negligent drivers accountable. For a free case evaluation with the Philadelphia car accident lawyers at The Reiff Law Firm, call today at (215) 709-6940.
Why Do Primary Care Doctors Refuse to See Car Crash Victims?
After a car crash, victims may be inclined to visit their primary care doctor. Generally, a primary care doctor won’t see a patient after a car crash. These practices often aren’t stocked with the necessary medical equipment to provide adequate care. Not to mention, the billing process in certain states may be too complex for primary care doctors’ staff to handle. So, more often than not, it’s likely that a primary care doctor will refuse to see you after a car crash.
Lack of Equipment
Generally speaking, primary care doctors don’t have the necessary equipment on hand to help car accident victims after a damaging crash. Unlike an emergency room or urgent care facility, these practices don’t have access to the proper equipment to treat serious physical trauma. This is often a major reason why primary care doctors refuse to treat patients after a car accident, and it’s a valid one. If your primary care doctor does not have access to the necessary equipment and materials to treat you, they’ll likely turn you away.
Difficult Billing
Treating injuries from a car accident is complicated, as car insurance companies often are involved. Because of this, billing the necessary parties for treatment costs can be challenging for a primary care doctor’s staff. Billing can be even more complex if you live in a no-fault state and carry personal injury protection insurance. Because of the challenges related to billing a patient after a car crash, primary care physicians may refuse to treat you if you’ve sustained injuries in a damaging collision.
Outside Scope of Services
While primary care doctors are trained medical professionals, they may not have the experience necessary to treat extreme physical trauma. These individuals generally see patients for minor illnesses or routine check-ups, and not for serious physical injuries. Because of this, your primary care doctor may feel that they are personally unable to give you the medical care you need after a serious car crash.
Should I Visit My Primary Care Doctor After a Car Crash?
Even though you may feel more comfortable visiting your primary care doctor after a car crash, it’s not ideal. If you’ve sustained serious injuries, it’s wise to visit an emergency room or urgent care facility that’s better equipped to handle your care. Not to mention, primary care doctors often require patients to make appointments, which can ultimately harm your future claim against a negligent driver.
As a general rule of thumb, you shouldn’t visit your primary care doctor after a car crash. Generally, car accident injuries are serious and require immediate medical care. It’s best to go to the emergency room after a collision. The medical professionals you encounter there will be better equipped to assess your injuries and give you the immediate medical care you deserve.
Even after receiving immediate treatment, don’t only follow up with your primary care physician. While you can certainly inform your normal doctor of your injuries, our Pennsylvania car accident lawyers advise victims to seek continued medical care from specialists. In some cases, your primary care doctor may be able to refer you to a specialist that can better handle the continued medical care you need for your injuries, like a physical therapist.
The longer you wait to seek medical care after a car accident, the more it can harm your claim against a negligent driver. Acting quickly is crucial so that your car accident lawyer can show the severity of your injuries and your need for compensation. Waiting for a scheduled appointment with your primary care doctor isn’t good for your health or future compensation claim.
Why is it Important to See a Doctor After a Car Crash?
It is crucial that injured car accident victims see a doctor after a damaging care accident. It’s important for a medical professional to corroborate your injuries so that you have a better chance of recovering the damages you deserve in a lawsuit against a negligent driver.
After a car crash, it’s necessary for victims to seek immediate medical attention from professionals equipped to handle their injuries. It’s important to assess the severity of your injuries so that your car accident lawyer can estimate the damages you deserve from a negligent driver.
It is also necessary that injured victims maintain any scheduled appointments with specialists in the weeks and months following a collision. You must be able to show that you are continuing to seek medical care for your injuries and that they have impacted your life.
Your medical records from immediately after a car crash, and those from continued treatment, can be invaluable evidence in a lawsuit against a negligent driver. Your Chester, PA car accident lawyer can use those crucial documents to outline the severity of your injuries and your need for compensatory damages.
Call Our Attorneys if You’ve Recently Been Injured in a Car Crash
After sustaining injuries in a car accident, it’s important to reach out to an attorney who will represent your interests against a negligent driver. For a free case evaluation with the West Chester car accident lawyers at The Reiff Law Firm, call today at (215) 709-6940.
