Reasons You Must Consult With A Doctor When You’ve Experienced an Injury
If you have just been involved in an auto accident then the wisest choice is to see a doctor for further evaluation and treatment if necessary. Many injuries from accidents may not be apparent immediately after the accident because increased adrenal, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and increasing inflammation may cause someone to ignore or minimize their injury after trauma. While visiting a doctor while you are injured can be difficult and downright intimidating due to the unknown. Yet, you can’t compromise your health because you don’t want to deal with the inconvenience of seeing a doctor. When you decide to go and see a doctor, here are a few questions you want to be answered.
What is the Extent of the Injury?
Not all injuries immediately show signs or symptoms after an accident. For instance, whiplash symptoms can take weeks or even months to become apparent and have a tendency to worsen with time leading to many chronic complications after car or motorcycle accidents. For a victim who has just suffered an injury, it is critical to know how severe the injury is and what the short vs long-term prognosis is. Even though no obvious symptoms appear suggesting a potential injury, it’s important to see a healthcare professional for proper evaluation. In other words, simply because you can’t see a wound and don’t currently experience pain doesn’t mean that a latent problem exists. These slowly appearing injuries can end up causing problems in the future. Don’t neglect pain because it is your bodies warning sign that something is wrong and needs to be addressed.
Is Future Care needed for this Condition?
Depending upon the extent of the injury, a doctor might ask you to follow up again in the office to determine if your injuries are healing properly. Ask your doctor what the future concerns may be with your specific injuries. A doctor might suggest you take a few precautions during the healing process such as altering your workout routine or taking nutritional supplements to naturally decrease inflammation and assist in healing and aiding in a timely recovery.
Do I Need to See Other Specialized Doctors?
Many doctors may recommend you see a specialist for your injuries. General practitioners or internist doctors are great at treating kidney infections or the flu but they are far from having any specialized knowledge in dealing with patients after a car or motorcycle accident. Chiropractors help realign the spines and joints after a trauma allowing for proper recovery after car accidents or whiplash. Many times chiropractors will take an X-ray or refer for an MRI after trauma to assess the condition and make sure there are not broken bones or further injury than initially realized. If a bone is broken or extensive trauma is caused to the ligaments or tendons then an orthopedic specialist or neurosurgeon may need to be consulted to determine the extent of the injuries. A physical therapist can help in prescribing the best exercises for strengthening muscles and restoring normal range of motion after trauma.
Should I Take Time off Work?
In certain cases, your doctor may instruct you to take time off work to allow for proper healing of your injuries. Many times a request for time off work or light work duty will need to be accompanied by a doctor’s note. If the injury is serious, make sure to give yourself adequate time to heal before going back to work.
Med-legal Documentation
Med-legal documentation is needed especially if someone else is responsible for your injuries. If you are looking for financial restitution or reimbursement for your accident personal injury case, med-legal documentation is an absolute necessity. Since a doctor’s notes can provide evidence of injury this will help in dealing with the claims adjuster, insurance companies or assist in enabling your attorney to seek the best settlement outcome possible for your case. While a doctor can provide you with all the medical reports necessary for your personal injury case, an attorney can help you understand your rights and what aspects of the report are critical for you to get the necessary treatment and compensate you for time off work or suffering. If you do not already have a lawyer after your car accident then Doctors Accept Liens can help in finding trustworthy attorneys to assist you after your injury or car accident.
It’s always better to have a specific diagnosis for any accidents or injuries to determine if treatment is needed. Don’t let a small injury turn into a big problem. Call (949) 245-2392 to get assistance regarding your personal injury case.