Questions to Ask Your Doctor After an Accident
Your medical treatment plays a critical role in your auto accident claim. For example, the treatment will determine your claim's strength and value. Below are some questions you should ask your doctors. The answers may help you get the settlement you deserve.
What Are Your Credentials?
Doctors have different specializations, and you should know your doctor's specialty. You may get treatment from multiple specialists in case of severe injuries. Say you have suffered severe spinal injuries in a gruesome accident:
- An orthopedist may treat you for the spinal cord injury
- A physical therapist may help you walk again
- A therapist may help you through the resulting emotional trauma
Knowing all your doctors' specialties may help your claim. For example, the insurance company might dispute the necessity and cost of treatments by inappropriate specialists. A PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) diagnosis from a psychiatrist may hold more weight than a similar diagnosis from a physiotherapist.
What Are the Nature and Extent of My Injuries?
You should also have a good understanding of your injuries before you file a claim. For example, you shouldn't just know that you have a fractured limb - you should know what type of fracture you have. After all, different fractures call for different treatments and take different amounts of time to heal. For example, a comminuted fracture is more serious than a hairline fracture.
The nature and extent of your injuries have a direct bearing on your damages. Say the insurance adjuster's offer is low because they understand that fractures take a few weeks to heal. You can explain to them that your type of fracture will require more time - if you understand your injury well.
Which Treatments Do I Need Now and in the Future?
Most injuries have multiple treatment options. Your physician will choose the best option based on different factors, such as:
- Your medical history
- Your age
- The extent of the injury
- Standard operating procedure
For example, treatments for TBI (traumatic brain injury) include:
- Rest
- Medication
- Surgery
- Rehabilitation
In many cases, the doctor will start with the simplest treatment that fits your diagnosis. Thus, not everyone will get all the treatments above. You should know what treatments you need so you can prepare for them and include them in your injury claim. For example, you should include rehabilitation costs in your claim if you need ongoing therapy.
What Should I Do or Avoid?
You should understand your limitations during your recovery. For example, the doctors may advise you to:
- Get a certain amount of bed rest
- Avoid some foods
- Take some medication
- Avoid strenuous physical activities
Understanding these limitations will help you in two main ways. First, they will help you accelerate your recovery. Secondly, you can use them to increase the value of your damages. For example, if the doctor has advised you to avoid strenuous house chores, the defendant should compensate you if you need to pay someone else to do the chores.
Will I Recover Fully?
Your doctors will do their best, but medicine is not yet at the point where it can solve every medical issue. For example, some people have to live with chronic pain and take regular medication for the same.
Ask your doctor if they expect a full recovery from you. If not, you should understand your potential disabilities and their effects on your life. Don't forget that the defendant should compensate you for every loss their injury has caused you.
Wegner & Associates can help you value your accident claim and pursue your damages. We care about our clients and promise to use our skills and experience to help you get the resources you need to recover.
Contact us for a free initial consultation to determine the best approach for your case.