What Type of Doctor Should I See After a Car Accident?

Car accident injuries can range from mild to severe. After a crash, you may need immediate medical attention, or you may be able to wait to receive treatment. Even if you think your injuries are mild, you will want a physician to examine you.

If you were injured, TK Injury Lawyers is here to assist you. Our car accident lawyers have represented thousands of clients. We will gather all the necessary information to prove the at-fault driver’s liability, ensuring that you receive just compensation.

Should I Visit the Emergency Room?

Car accident victims will be brought to the emergency room (ER) if the paramedics are called to the scene.

Even if paramedics are not present, an ER visit may be necessary if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms which may suggest a spinal cord injury:

• Extreme back pain or pressure in your neck
• Weakness or numbness
• Difficulty breathing
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Difficulty balancing or walking

If an ER doctor thinks your injuries warrant further investigation, an MRI, X-ray, or CT scan may be taken. Imaging is performed so the doctor can correctly diagnose you.

Urgent Care

If you have minor bumps and bruises but you want to be evaluated right away, it may be a good idea to visit an urgent care center.

Urgent care centers are normally open longer each day than primary care offices. Walk-ins are usually welcome, although some centers have long wait times depending on patient volume.

The major drawback: an urgent care physician will not be familiar with your medical history and medications. In order to manage your pain, an urgent care doctor may prescribe a pain reliever. It is important that you tell the urgent care physician your current medications to avoid drug interactions.

Primary Care Physician

If you only have minor injuries or no injuries, you might wait to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician (PCP). Patients with HMO plans may need to first see their PCP to get a referral for a specialist.

If you decide to skip urgent care and schedule an appointment with your PCP, let your doctor’s office know that you need a medical evaluation following a car accident.

During your appointment, make a list of any concerns that you have so that you can address these items with your doctor.

Be completely honest with your physician about any pain you may be experiencing with certain movements. This is not the time to be a hero.

Medical Specialists

Many PCPs will not treat patients who have been in a car accident. If your doctor refuses to see you, he or she may recommend certain specialists who can treat you.

If your doctor does not give you any recommendations, a car accident attorney should be your next call. The car accident attorneys at TK Injury Lawyers will be able to recommend a physician based on your symptoms. We will make sure that you get seen.

Orthopedic Spine Specialist

In the event that you may have a spine or neck injury, you may consider seeing an orthopedic spine specialist.

If you experienced back or neck pain, tingling, or numbness, even in your extremities, you probably already made a visit to the ER. If possible, you will want to have the ER doctor’s notes when visiting an orthopedic spine specialist.

Additionally, if you suffered whiplash in your car accident, you will want to consult with an orthopedic spine specialist. Whiplash is essentially a “sprain” to the neck that is caused by a sudden back-and-forth movement of the neck.

Whiplash can damage your spine, muscle, ligaments, and nerves. Although the pain is usually short-term, whiplash can sometimes cause chronic pain.

Neurologist

Sharp, sudden movements in a car crash can do further damage than just affecting your neck. Whiplash can also cause brain damage. If you suspect you may have suffered brain damage, you should consider consulting a neurologist.

Traumatic brain injuries are common after motor vehicle accidents. In 2021, there were over 69,000 TBI-related deaths annually in the United States, or about 190 TBI-related deaths daily.

Many times, in a collision, there is sudden, hard braking to avoid a crash. The sudden deceleration can cause the brain to make contact with the insides of the skull. Your brain can swell (cerebral edema), blood vessels can tear (contusion), and you can even sustain a break in the skull (skull fracture).

Unfortunately, there are many symptoms of a neurological injury. Even feeling dizzy after a car accident may be a sign of a neurological disorder.

It is important that you tell your neurologist which symptoms are newly onset so that the specialist can better help you.

Learn more: Delayed Neck Pain After Car Accident: What You Need to Know

Chiropractor

A chiropractor is a licensed healthcare professional who makes adjustments to the spine through spinal manipulations. A chiropractor focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular disorders.

A chiropractor can help you with posture and movement in order to decrease your symptoms. The majority of patients do not realize that they have poor posture while sitting, standing, or sleeping, which can put unnecessary pressure on the nerves that surround your spine.

In evaluating your spine, a chiropractor may need to see an X-ray to determine your spinal alignment. A full evaluation will be performed, and treatment options will be suggested based on your condition.

An Austin Car Accident Lawyer Working for You

We understand that receiving the medical treatment you need after an accident can be challenging. At TK Injury Lawyers, we believe that everyone should receive medical care. If you have been in a car accident and still need medical treatment, contact us as soon as you can. Your health and well-being come first.