What Should I Ask My Doctor After a Car Accident?

Being involved in an accident and sustaining injuries is a traumatic and overwhelming experience and the aftermath can be just as stressful and frustrating if you neglect to take certain steps. Your first priority should be to seek medical treatment as soon as possible, even if you believe your injuries to be minor. Symptoms do not always arise immediately after an accident and, if you wait, this can hurt your personal injury case if you choose to pursue compensation. While at your doctor’s office, there are some crucial questions you should ask to get the most out of your visit.

Remember to ask your doctor the following questions:

1.What is the extent of my injuries and what do they mean for my future? It is imperative to get a comprehensive understanding of what your injuries are, how severe they are, and how long it might take to achieve a full recovery. The more you understand, the smoother the process of recovery will go and if you can expect any complications. Ask your doctor to explain everything.

2.Will I face any future health concerns due to my injuries? Some injuries never fully heal, leading to a continued struggle and a lifetime of health problems. Ask your doctor if you can expect long-term issues and if they can be minimized by visiting a specialist such as a physical therapist or a chiropractor. Understanding what you are dealing with is not only important for your recovery, but for valuing your personal injury case as well.

3.What caused my injuries? Yes, you were in a car accident, but knowing that does not exactly tell you how you sustained your injuries. Having an understanding of how you specifically might have sustained your injuries is important, so ask your doctor to write this down and explain it to you. This will be valuable evidence you can use against the at-fault party’s insurance company if they try to say your injuries were caused by something other than the car accident.

4.When can I return to work? Oftentimes, even for relatively minor injuries, time off from work is necessary to recover and prevent further damage or discomfort, so you will need to ask your doctor how long you can expect to be unable to work. Your insurance will likely be able to compensate you for your inability to work if your injuries are serious.

5.May I have copies of my medical records? Obtaining your medical records is crucial for a personal injury case. It provides documented proof of the types of injuries you sustained, the treatment you received, and more. This can strengthen your case and increase your chances at securing compensation.

Tampa Bay Car Accident Attorney

If you were injured in a car accident and are now facing costly medical expenses and time away from work, now is the time to retain the legal representation you deserve to obtain the compensation you need. At the Paulsen Law Group, our Tampa Bay legal team has been serving the area for over 15 years. We will guide you through each step as we file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company.