If you have been in a car accident, you will need a medical evaluation. Even if you feel fine, if you have hit your head or been seriously shaken inside the car during the crash, you will need to at least get checked for a traumatic brain injury. Even serious head injuries sometimes don’t present any symptoms right away, and prompt treatment can save your life.
If you have obvious injuries after your crash, you may be rushed to an emergency room. Depending on your injuries, you may have several medical choices and options for your injuries:
- Specialists. If you have suffered a serious injury, you may need to speak to specialists handling spinal cord injuries, burns, or the injuries you have sustained. If you need to talk to a specialist, make sure they have your medical records and confirm that they understand any allergies or underlying conditions you may have.
- Hospitalization. If you are taken to a hospital after your car accident, you will likely get medical advice and treatment as well as tests at the hospital. There, you can ask about any follow-up treatment you need.
- Your doctor. Whether you are taken to the hospital or not following your car crash, you will want to inform your doctor of your accident and any symptoms you have. Even if you get a clean bill of health at the emergency department, do not hesitate to contact your primary care physician for advice if you develop any symptoms. If you have a permanent or serious injury, your doctor can help you coordinate your care and find the right specialists.
- A walk-in clinic. If you don’t have a regular doctor and have symptoms or medical questions after your car accident, a walk-in clinic can help if you notice any troubling symptoms after your collision.
- Rehabilitation. If your injuries affect your mobility or your ability to complete everyday tasks, rehabilitation and related service may help you gain more mobility and independence.
- At-home assistance or assisted living facilities. If your injuries are serious, you may need help with everyday activities, such as cooking, cleaning, grooming, bathing, and other tasks. At-home assistance, cleaning services, and other services may help. In some cases, assisted living facilities may be needed to provide the around-the-clock medical care and personal care necessary after a catastrophic injury.
- Counseling and therapy. An important part of recovery is emotional and mental healing. Being in a car crash can be traumatizing. You may experience depression, flashbacks, sleep disturbances, mood swings, and other symptoms. Talking to a counselor or seeking therapy can help. Depending on your situation and needs, you may choose a support group or individual counseling or therapy.
- Long-term care and treatment. If you have sustained a serious injury, you may need long term care. For example, burns may require skin grafts and other treatment. Spinal cord injuries may require surgery and other forms of treatment.
Deciding on the right treatment and the right medical options can be daunting. In many cases, you will be balancing many medical treatments at once. For example, you may be seeing a counselor, getting rehabilitation, and consulting with doctors about medication or surgery options. It’s important to ask lots of questions and to review the advantages and drawbacks of each option.
You will also need to pay for your medical treatment, so seeking fair compensation can be an important part of rebuilding your life after a serious car accident. If you have been injured and would like to discuss your legal options, contact Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation.