Top 10 Important Things to Remember
1- All car accidents have the potential to cause lifelong spinal and joint conditions that will cause pain and degenerative changes to the spine and joint.
2- Not all patients will feel the effects of the auto accidents immediately, some patients will not feel their pain up to 2 weeks later. WHY? Every person has a different body reaction to trauma. Some people have very delayed response and inflammatory cells can take several days to kick in and cause pain. Some patients take pain meds or OTCs and expect the injury will go away in 2 weeks. Not so, Pain meds do not treat the injury, they help you deal with the injury while you get proper therapy.
3- Waiting to get a proper evaluation can really hurt your chances of getting an insurance company adjustor to cover your claim. Don’t wait!! Opting to self treat is not an option to the adjustor. They do not care.
4- Always take photos of the accident scene. Be sure to take photos of the cars or vehicles involved. Your car may not have damage, but if the other car does have damage, then photos will show a jury and an adjustor that impact forces were present. At the end of the day, it does not matter how injured you feel. What matters to the adjustors is your property damage. Call the police, you will need a police report.
5- Never leave big gaps in your treatment plan or care. Adjustors that will pay for your care do not have to follow the law. They make the rules and if he/she feels that you skipped care, and therefore you were not really hurt, then they will give you a lot less for care. Not even your attorney can help you at this point.
6- If you are seeing another doctor or healthcare provider, and not getting better, get another opinion. In our office, we will refer you to other healthcare providers if you are not recovering as expected.
7- Will your insurance go up if you use your benefits? Maybe, or maybe not. Remember you pay for the policy, so use it or lose it. Keep in mind, if the police are called to the scene, the accident will show on your record anyways. And a little secret about insurance companies to remember is….. the increase in premiums mostly comes from the losses they incur across the U.S., not just from your accident. If in a one year period they pay out on a lot of claims, the next year they will raise your premium, even if you did not have a claim.
8- Never attempt to handle an auto accident claim on your own. Every patient I have had that attempted to do so was very unsuccessful. The insurance companies prey on your ignorance. Let us help you and guide you.
9- Be cautious of signing a check from the insurance company within 30 days of your accident that is to cover your medical expenses. I have had many patients do this and never realized the tricks the responsible party played on them. It’s very sad to learn you need care, and you will not be covered for that care. Most of my patients settle the car damages separately. Any legal questions about what to sign and when should always be directed to an attorney that has expertise in personal injury. We can help you find good Personal Injury attorneys.
10- Most importantly: It’s your spine. You will only be given one once. There is no replacing your spine, so make sure you take this injury seriously. And remember, we are here to help you recover fast.
Our office will see and treat pregnancy patients involved in car accidents.
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