What Doctor to See After a Car Accident in SC

One of the biggest mistakes car accident victims make is not seeing or postponing seeing a doctor after the accident. You may feel like you’re fine, but often people do not realize the full extent of their injuries. This can lead to long-term issues or even disability.

If you’ve been in a South Carolina accident, seeing a medical professional as soon as possible is crucial. But if you are unsure where to start, a reliable car accident lawyer in Greenville can help. At Upstate Personal Injury Lawyers, LLC, we offer timely legal help so that you can focus on arranging the medical attention you need. Contact us today.

What Medical Facility/Practice Can You Visit to Treat Your Car Accident Injuries?

Different auto injuries warrant different types of medical attention.

There are various local medical facilities and practices that provide car accident injury treatments.

Here is a quick breakdown and under what circumstances you should visit them:

• Emergency Rooms and Urgent Care Centers: If you experience critical injuries, an ER or urgent care center is your best option. Here, you will receive immediate medical attention from highly trained doctors and nurses. For example, if you suffer from a broken bone, severe laceration, concussion, or head trauma, you should go straight to an ER or urgent care center.
• Primary Care Physicians: If you experience minor injuries—like headaches, muscle strains and sprains, cuts and bruises—you can visit a primary care physician. These doctors are trained to diagnose and treat all non-emergency medical conditions.
• Specialists: You may need to visit a specialist for more extensive injuries. Orthopedists, chiropractors, physical therapists, and neurologists are some specialists qualified to treat car accident injuries. For example, an orthopedic specialist diagnoses and treats diseases, injuries, and disorders of the skeletal system, muscles, joints, and ligaments.

How Long Do You Have to See a Doctor after a Car Accident?

It does not just matter what doctor to see after a car accident, but how soon you see them. Delaying medical attention can have serious consequences.

• If you wait too long, your injury could become more severe and complicated. For example, if you suffered internal bleeding but delayed seeing a doctor for a car accident, it could advance into more serious complications like seizures, organ failure, external bleeding, coma, or even loss of life.
• If too much time passes between the accident and the doctor’s visit, your insurance company may deny your claim. Insurance companies often look for reasons to deny claims. And one of the most common reasons is that they think the victim did not seek immediate medical attention after the accident. Thus, they may argue that your injuries/medical expenses could have been prevented if you had gone to the doctor sooner.
• Delaying medical attention can make it hard to prove that your injuries resulted from the car accident. Evidence may fade with time, and if your medical records show that you waited days or weeks before treatment, it could indicate that the incident did not cause your injuries.

What to Tell Your Doctor After the SC Car Accident

How you talk with your doctor after a car accident also matters. Some tips on how to interact with the medical team are below:

• Be honest with your doctors and nurses. It is vital to provide a clear and accurate account of the events, including how the accident occurred, where it happened, and what type of vehicle you were in at the time. Also, tell your doctor how you feel—mentally and physically.
• Be as specific as possible when describing your symptoms. For example, if you feel dizzy or nauseous, describe these symptoms’ severity, frequency, and duration.
• Ask your doctor for all treatments or medications recommended for your recovery. This includes prescriptions and physical therapy plans.
• Ensure everything is documented. Ask for copies of all medical records, bills, and any X-rays or test results you may have had in the emergency room or at any other doctor’s appointment.

Upstate Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help

If you have been in a car accident, it is essential to determine what doctor to see after the incident. Primary care physicians, ER doctors, and specialists may be necessary to diagnose and treat your injuries. But remember, the sooner you seek medical attention after a car accident, the better—not only for your physical health but also for any potential legal claims you may have down the line.

If you need assistance determining what to do next after a car accident in SC, contact Upstate Personal Injury Lawyers. An experienced attorney can also help take on the at-fault party’s insurance adjusters and pursue legal action, if necessary, to help you get the compensation you deserve.