Are Car Accident Medical Visits Covered By Insurance?
When the insurance company says ‘no,’ we get results
You should go to the doctor after a car accident for multiple reasons. Even if you feel OK, to protect your health and legal options, it's important that you visit a doctor as soon as possible after a car accident.
- Protect your health: A medical examination might identify an unnoticed underlying injury like a brain injury, hairline fracture, or internal bleeding. Your doctor can start treatment right away and reduce the risk of a long-term, disabling injury.
- Protect your compensation: Additionally, going to the doctor creates solid evidence to support your car accident claim. This visit gives you an official medical record of your crash injuries.
If you do not see a doctor after a car accident, even if it was a minor accident, an insurance adjuster will very likely argue that your injuries are “not that bad” or that they were unrelated to the crash. Therefore, even if it has been a day or more after a car accident, it is still a good idea to see a doctor now.
It’s difficult not to worry about who is going to pay for all these medical visits but try to relax. Crash-related medical expenses and lost wages due to recovery are covered by car insurance. The Lexington car accident attorneys at Johnson + Johnson, Attorneys at Law will fight to get you top medical care at no out-of-pocket expense to you. Our personal injury law firm serves injured accident victims in Lexington, Columbia, Red Bank, Oak Grove, and throughout South Carolina. Get answers you can trust in a free case evaluation with Johnson + Johnson.
What kind of doctor should I see after a car accident?
Many kinds of doctors and medical professionals treat car accident victims. If you are not taken by an ambulance to the nearest hospital after a crash, it is important that you get yourself to a doctor for a full medical evaluation right away. Walk-in emergency trauma medical service is available throughout South Carolina. In the Lexington area, providers include Prisma Health Baptist Hospital in Columbia and Lexington Medical Center in West Columbia, among others.
Once you have gotten an initial and thorough medical evaluation, you should follow the doctor’s orders and recommendations. Follow-up care is almost always necessary. Injured car accident victims see medical professionals who are adept at treating their specific injuries. Some types of specialists and medical professionals you might visit after a car accident include:
- Primary care physician (PCP)
- Radiologist
- Orthopedic surgeon
- Neurologist
- Orthodontist
- Plastic surgeon
- Chiropractor
- Ophthalmologist
- General surgeon
- Physical therapist
- Psychiatrist
- Mental health professional
- Burn specialist
Medical costs and other incident-related costs can quickly add up. Insurance providers are aware of this. Their job is to deny claims and cut thousands of dollars out of the ones they must pay. That’s why, before you are aware of the entire scope of your accident-related expenses, an adjuster may make you a quick lowball settlement offer. They hope that you’ll be too worried about medical bills and missing work to realize that the lowball settlement they’re offering is a lot less than you deserve.
Demand everything you are entitled to collect. Tell the insurance companies “no” and send in Johnson + Johnson. We can hammer away at the insurance company while you heal. If they don’t make you a substantial offer, we take them to court.
When is it too late to go to the doctor?
If you don’t seem to be seriously hurt, you may ask, “should I go to the doctor after a car accident?” The short is answer is yes – always get medical care after a car accident as soon as possible. Waiting too long can do more harm than good. Some injuries might have delayed symptoms that get worse without prompt evaluation and treatment.
Don’t spend time deciding when to see a doctor for car accident injuries. It's better to err on the side of caution. Get checked by a healthcare professional promptly, even after a minor accident. A doctor can ensure any injuries are identified and treated early.
Who pays the medical bills after a car accident
What you should do with medical bills after a car accident depends on the situation. If you have health insurance, you may be able to submit medical expenses to your health care insurance provider. However, your insurance company may want to be reimbursed for those expenses when you receive compensation for the accident.
Other resources for crash-related medical expenses may include Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Medical Payment (MedPay) are optional car insurance policies that pay for some expenses not covered by health insurance. If the driver that hit you does not have insurance, you may file a claim on your Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage.
If you do not have health insurance, we may be able to negotiate a “treat now, pay later” agreement with your doctors. We can also work with your insurance company to help you keep more of your eventual settlement.
Remember: You only get one shot at your case. Once you accept a settlement or other money from the insurance company, you can’t go back for more. Johnson + Johnson places the highest value on your health and well-being. We negotiate aggressively and stop at nothing to get the results you deserve.
Get maximum compensation for your car accident injuries
If you were hurt in a South Carolina car accident, you might not know what to do next. Every step of the legal process can be handled by our Lexington car accident lawyers. We can provide you with regular updates on the status of your case and help you weigh your choices.
What will this set you back? Nothing upfront or out-of-pocket. We represent injured accident victims for a contingency fee. That means that you owe us nothing unless we win. Find out more about how we can help you pursue justice and compensation after a car accident. Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation right now.
