What To Do After a Motor Vehicle Accident
To think clearly after a traumatic experience such as a motor vehicle accident can be difficult. Plan ahead as this eventually may occur sooner than you would like or think.
If you are injured, the first thing you should do is seek medical care. We recommend finding an experienced pain management doctor who specializes in motor vehicle accidents. The next step is to find an attorney that also specializes in motor vehicle accidents. The third step is to make a plan with your medical & legal counsel and follow through. Seeking professional guidance from experienced and specially trained professionals is the best way to ensure you heal from your injuries and get the settlement you deserve.
Step 1: Seeking Medical Care
Your priority should always be your health. When seeking a pain management doctor, two traits in your medical personnel should be experience and specialized training. A doctor trained in motor vehicle injuries will be familiar with the injuries that come with auto accidents, how to treat them and know how to best document your treatment for your legal team.
Doctors that treat patients of motor vehicle accidents use various tools such as pain medication, pain relief therapies inclusive of spinal manipulation & massage therapy, and even surgery in more serious cases. Naturopathic pain management doctors see surgery as a last resort and may utilize additional pain management therapies such as acupuncture or various injections to support the healing of the individual. Whether you prefer a conventional, or more natural approach to healing, the most important thing to remember is to follow the treatment plan provided by your doctor.
Step 2: Finding an Attorney
Next, find an experienced attorney who specializes in motor vehicle injury cases. Hiring an attorney will protect you and ensure you are treated fairly. Remember, insurance companies are working to settle your case for the least amount possible. Be sure to provide your attorney a detailed description of theaccident, any photos/videos you may have and the information from your police report.
Your doctor may be able to recommend someone. An attorney with specialized training and experience in motor vehicle injury cases will know how to document your treatment, form a valuation of your pain & suffering and build a case around the accident.
Despite the average attorney taking 33% of a settlement, studies show that clients still walk away with more money and higher settlements. Trying to handle your own case or hiring the wrong attorney can ruin your case and ultimately reduce your settlement.
Step 3: Create a Plan & Follow Through
Consistency is the most important part of undergoing both medical treatment and handling a legal case. Your doctor will develop a treatment plan, often utilizing additional therapists and other healthcare professionals. Be sure to follow this plan for the sake of your health and the consistency or your legal case. If you don’t show up to your appointments, the opposing insurance company will make the argument that you don’t need the treatment.
Additionally, you want to follow the advice of your legal counsel. If you are told not to communicate with the opposing insurance company, be sure to follow their advice. Make sure the information you have given your legal team is consistent with what happened. If you can, provide photos.
If you find yourself or a loved one injured in an auto accident, we hope this blog can help you navigate the journey ahead. Focus on healing, first and foremost. Once you have an experienced doctor to treat your injuries, they may be able to refer you to a local attorney that specializes in motor vehicle accidents.
In summary, follow your medical treatment plan and the advice of your legal counsel the best you can. Consistent treatment is what’s best for your health and your case.