When To See Someone Other Than Your Primary Care Doctor After An Accident

It’s natural to turn to someone you know and trust, like your primary care doctor, after sustaining an accident injury. While this is understandable, your primary care doctor may not be the best (or only) medical professional to see.

The medical care you receive following a car accident can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation, especially through Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. Have a conversation with an Orlando personal injury attorney to be sure you are choosing the right healthcare provider to access financial relief.

The Role of Your Primary Care Provider (PCP)

Primary care doctors are excellent for routine care, ongoing medical conditions, and general wellness. They know your medical history and can provide a trusted opinion on how a car accident may have affected your body. Yet there are limitations:

• Scheduling delays. PCPs are often booked weeks out, and Florida PIP law requires that you receive treatment within 14 days of the accident to qualify for benefits.
• Lack of experience with trauma injuries. Many PCPs do not specialize in diagnosing or treating injuries commonly sustained in car accidents, such as whiplash, herniated discs, or soft tissue damage.
• Incomplete documentation. For insurance and legal purposes, detailed medical records are essential. Not all PCPs are familiar with the specific documentation needed to support an injury claim.
• Many PCPs are not familiar with the intricate details of submitting a bill to your your auto insurance company under Florida’s PIP law and may use your health insurance.  Using your health insurance for accident related injuries can result in a lien and reimbursement of any medical benefits they pay related to your case, if you are successful in obtaining monetary compensation.

Should you see your primary care doctor, let them know you’ve been in an accident and ask for a referral if needed. In many cases, your injury attorney can also help connect you with a network of qualified specialists who regularly work with accident victims and understand how to coordinate care with legal claims.

Why a Specialist May Be the Better Choice

In many cases, it’s advisable to see a provider who specializes in accident-related injuries. This could include chiropractors, orthopedists, neurosurgeons, neurologists, and pain management specialists. These professionals are experienced in identifying and treating trauma and are also well-versed in providing the proper documentation required by insurance companies and attorneys.

Proper diagnosis and imaging can be accessed with specialized care. Which is important as accident injuries aren’t always obvious right away. MRIs and other advanced imaging to detect issues that a general physical exam might miss.

Additionally, injury care specialists understand what is best for you to heal from your injuries following an accident.  They can provide you with the correct treatment plan, medication, and opinions so that you can make a speedy recovery.

Getting the right medical treatment is not just about healing, it’s about protecting your legal rights. Medical opinions from qualified experts can also help bolster your case and meet your legal burden of proof under Florida law.

Talk  to an Orlando personal injury attorney before speaking to any insurance company.  Could which doctor you see have an impact on your claim? While your primary care doctor is a trusted resource, seeing a provider experienced in accident-related injuries can make all the difference when it comes to receiving full benefits. To learn more, connect with the dedicated lawyers at Israoui Law. Call 407-381-4529 for the personal attention you deserve.