After an accident, it can be difficult to know what to do next. You might be aware that you should do things like exchange information with the other driver and take photos of the damage, but getting medical treatment is always the most important step to take. But what doctor should you go to?
Generally, after facing injuries in a car accident, you should call 911 and get treated by EMTs first. If they suggest you need additional medical care, they will usually tell you where to go or take you straight to the hospital. In most cases, you should go to the ER, and they will direct you to any specific specialists you need to see. Later, follow-up care can be done with your primary care doctor.
For help with a car accident case, call our Westchester car accident lawyers after you seek medical care. At The Martello Law Firm, we offer free case evaluations. Call us today at (914) 685-6950.
Should I Go to the Emergency Room After a Car Accident in New York?
Going to the hospital is not always easy or cheap. After a car accident, it is vital that you get the emergency medical care that you need, and that often means going to the hospital to the emergency department for serious car accidents. But do you actually need to go to the ER after a car accident?
If your injuries are severe enough that you think you need medical care, you should call 911 after an accident and ask for an ambulance. The EMTs with the ambulance will be able to look over your injuries and help you decide if you need additional care and whether going to the ER is necessary. In some cases, you might be okay going to an urgent care center instead of a full-fledged hospital ER.
Sometimes, injuries are mild enough that an EMT might release you from the scene of the accident and suggest that you follow up with your primary care doctor in the next couple of days. Other times, you will be taken to the ER right away – especially if you were unconscious after the crash.
Our White Plains car accident lawyers understand that a trip to the ER is often far too expensive for many people, but getting the care you need is necessary after a crash. Failing to get care for some injuries could actually put your life in danger, especially when it comes to head injuries. Failing to get immediate treatment can also give the defendant grounds to claim that your injuries were actually not that severe if you didn’t “need” medical care.
Should I See My Primary Care Doctor After a New York Car Accident?
If you have a primary care doctor that you see for regular checkups, that might not be the right doctor to see after a car accident. Generally speaking, serious injuries after an accident should be treated at a hospital or an urgent care facility. However, your primary care doctor should still be involved in your treatment eventually.
If your injuries are severe, you should not see your primary care provider first. In fact, most doctors will have recorded answering systems or office staff who tell anyone who calls that if they are facing an emergency, they should go to the emergency room instead of coming in for an appointment. So, if you need emergency care now, seek treatment at an ER first, and consider following up with your primary care physician after you are released.
If the EMTs at the scene of the accident say that your injuries are not too severe, you might be released without being taken to the hospital. The EMTs will usually recommend that you set up a follow-up appointment with your primary care physician in the next few days and that you seek additional care if your injuries get worse.
One other problem with seeing your primary care physician after an accident is one our Yonkers car accident lawyers can help with: billing. Most doctors bill insurance for appointments, but they will typically only bill health insurance, not car insurance. If your treatment will be paid for by your car insurance (or another driver’s car insurance), our attorneys can help you figure out which doctor to see. If you do see your typical doctor, our attorneys can help you track unreimbursed expenses paid so we can include them in later insurance claims or lawsuits.
Should I See a Specialist After a Car Accident Injury in New York?
In many cases, your injuries will require you to see some sort of specialist as part of your medical care after a car accident. Many car accidents involve injuries that typically involve specialists, and our New York car accident lawyers can help you determine whether this care is necessary and help track any expenses for your later lawsuit.
Specialists typically deal with injuries and treatment for certain parts of the body or body systems that require specialized knowledge. The following are common specialists you might see after a car accident:
- Radiologists for imaging (MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, etc.)
- Orthopedists for bone injuries
- Spinal doctors for neck, back, and spine injuries
- Cardiothoracic surgeons for severe heart and chest injuries
- Vascular surgeons for injuries to veins and arteries
- Plastic surgeons for facial wounds
Otherwise, emergency room physicians and trauma doctors will often deal with other injuries and wounds. Ultimately, the decision of whether you need to see a specialist or not is not a decision you have to make on your own: the doctors and nurses at the hospital will help you determine what care you need. Your Mount Vernon car accident lawyer can help you understand these recommendations and help manage your care to ensure compliance with all medical recommendations.
Call Our New York Car Accident Lawyers Today
For a free case review, call The Martello Law Firm’s New Rochelle car accident lawyers right away. Our phone number is (914) 685-6950.
