If you’ve been involved in a car accident, getting proper medical attention should be a priority. This is true even if you don’t think you’ve suffered anything worse than some bruises. In the aftermath of a collision, heightened adrenaline levels can limit your ability to feel pain and some injuries, including internal bleeding and certain types of traumatic brain injury, don’t always show symptoms right away.

However, getting the right medical treatment isn’t as simple as seeing your primary care physician. Depending on their education and background, they may not have the ability or resources to make an appropriate diagnosis. They may also lack the resources to accurately process your claim and bill the car insurance providers, which affects how soon you receive compensation.

In this blog, The Schafer Law Office addresses the question of how to find a doctor after a car accident in KY. We also explain how working with a car accident attorney in Louisville, KY can help ensure that you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.

Check the Doctor’s Area of Expertise

Chances are that there are a lot of doctors in your area, but not all of them have experience diagnosing and treating car accident injuries. When looking for a treating physician, check out their website to confirm their qualifications. If‌ ‌you find a doctor who treats people who have suffered car accident injuries, like muscle strains and torn ligaments, they are likely in the best position to provide an accurate diagnosis and thorough medical report.

Check Reviews and Ratings

Do you read reviews and ratings before buying something online? ‌When you are looking for a car accident doctor, you need to do the same thing. ‌Visit‌ ‌the‌ ‌website‌s for various doctors ‌and‌ ‌see‌ ‌if they’ve posted patient testimonials. ‌It may also be worth looking at a few third-party websites to see if anyone else has posted reviews. A doctor with positive reviews is likely to be the right choice for you, so if you’re unsure how to find a doctor after a car accident in KY, this type of social proof can help you make the right decision.

Get Recommendations From Friends and Family

If you have friends or family members who have been injured in motor vehicle accidents, ask who treated them. Was the doctor knowledgeable and efficient? Did they understand the process of supporting a car accident claim? If the answer is yes to all, ask for the provider’s contact information.

Confirm Availability

Following a car accident, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. You‌ ‌may not realize you have suffered serious injuries due to a high level of adrenaline running through your body. ‌You must therefore find a doctor who understands the urgency of your situation and is willing to help you as soon‌ ‌as‌ ‌possible.

If you call a doctor’s office and the receptionist informs you that the next available appointment is in a few weeks, look elsewhere. Many car accident doctors offer same-day appointments. ‌Faster access to a doctor will put you in the best position for‌ ‌a‌ ‌full‌ ‌recovery.

Confirm Access to Imaging Modalities

Not all serious injuries are visible. The doctor treating you must have the right imaging modalities to collect all the necessary information before making‌ ‌a‌ ‌decision. This includes access to an X-ray machine and, for more detailed images, an MRI scanner. A doctor who needs to send you elsewhere for these tests won’t be able to give you the faster diagnosis and access to the treatment you need.

Ask About Experience Documenting Accident Injuries

Not all doctors have the same degree or amount of experience documenting car accident injuries. Your family doctor, for example, may not know how to document all the information and details that the insurance company needs to make a decision on your claim. Physicians who dedicate much of their practice to treating car accident victims will have the right level of experience and familiarity with correct billing practices.

Ask About Experience With Billing Auto Insurance Companies

A motor vehicle accident can result in a complex billing process. ‌You may have health insurance, but‌ ‌in Kentucky, you will be filing a claim against the PIP coverage on your own auto insurance company unless you deliberately opted out of the no-fault system.

Following a motor vehicle accident, it is important to find a doctor who is experienced in dealing with auto insurance companies. ‌Are they familiar with the right CPT coding and authorization of appropriate medical procedures? The last thing you want is to be surprised by an unexpected medical bill.

Get a Recommendation From Your Kentucky Personal Injury Lawyer

When you know you’ve been injured, you’ll want to hire a car accident lawyer to represent you in settlement negotiations with your insurance company. Your lawyer will likely have a list of doctors they have worked with in the past to treat injured clients and secure the documentation needed to make a strong claim. If you’re wondering how to find a doctor after a car accident in KY, this may be the best option, as your KY personal injury attorney can refer you to someone that they already have a relationship with, which simplifies the claims process.

Do You Have Questions About How to Find a Doctor After a Car Accident in KY?

Your choice of treatment by a physician after a car accident can make a huge difference in the outcome of your personal injury claim. You need to find someone who is immediately available, knows how to document your injuries, and will take the time to carry out a thorough physical examination. You also deserve a customized medical treatment plan, not a one-size-fits-all solution.

If you’ve been seriously injured in a collision, reach out to The Schafer Law Office today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We can help you access medical care in a timely manner, use the resulting report to prepare a strong claim, and advocate for you at the negotiation table or in court if necessary.

For more information contact the Louisville personal injury lawyers at The Shafer Law Office today!

How to Find a Doctor After a Car Accident in KY