Car accidents can cause many different types of injuries depending on the severity of the crash and the way the accident happens. Some common injuries a car accident victim may suffer include:
- Broken bones
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Contusions and bruises
- Dizziness
- Sprains and strains
- Muscle damage
- Whiplash
In severe cases, victims can suffer spinal cord damage, paralysis, and traumatic brain injury. They may be burned if there is an explosion.
Why it is important to treat with your doctors immediately
The insurance company for the people who are at fault for your accident will make every effort to argue that you are not really hurting that badly. If you delay seeing an ER doctor or a primary doctor, they will say – if you were really in pain, you would have gone to the doctors right away. So, this is why you should see your doctors as soon as possible instead of waiting.
Seek immediate help
A car accident victim should also seek immediate medical care for other reasons. Delays in diagnosis and delays in treatment can affect your recovery. You may not heal properly. You almost certainly will not heal as quickly. In some cases, your symptoms may be delayed. Early intervention can help address any complications, sometimes even before symptoms occur. For example, many whiplash victims don’t experience pain until the next day or several days later. Early treatments can help minimize the muscle damage associated with whiplash.
Emergency room doctors
In most cases, accident victims will either go to the ER by ambulance or may have someone drive them there. Many times, the police officer at the scene of the accident will direct the accident victim to the ER Center.
Emergency room centers are open 24/7. ER doctors have special training to make a quick diagnosis. They usually begin by taking X-Rays and other imaging tests. Emergency room doctors will make a recommendation to admit a patient if necessary. They will also indicate what other doctors the driver, passenger, or bystander who is in pain should see for treatment in the hospital.
ER doctors may treat an accident victim initially but most of the extensive treatments are with other doctors.
Emergency medical technician
In some cases, the police may arrange for an emergency medical technician to be brought to the accident site – especially if there is a life-threatening danger to the victim.
Urgent Care Center Doctor
Many victims are now seeking treatment from walk-in clinics called urgent care centers. These clinics treat people with immediate needs but usually not with life-threatening needs. They are often used by patients who can’t afford to treat with their primary care physicians.
Primary Care Doctor
All patients, whether they go to an ER center or not should see their family doctor. A family doctor will have records of your full medical history. Therefore, the family physician will have a better understanding of your family and emotional needs than other doctors because he/she sees patients on a regular basis. The family care physician also serves as a point-person for all the other specialists and therapists the car accident victim may see. First, this means that he/she should receive reports from all the specialists and therapists the victim sees. this way there is one doctor who understands your full medical situation. Secondly, the primary care doctor is often the person, along with your Florida car accident victim lawyer, who will make recommendations for which other doctors you need to see.
Orthopedic doctors
These doctors treat broken bones and fractures. If an X-Ray shows that a bone is broken, they may perform a surgery to repair the damage. They often put arms, legs, and other parts of the bodies into casts so that the bone can heal properly. Non-surgical treatments often involve some form of rehabilitation. Orthopedists also have special training in all parts of the musculoskeletal system including muscles, nerves, joints, ligaments, and tendons – in addition to the bones. Also, many orthopedists specialize in treating the bones of the hands, feet, arm, leg, foot, ankle, knee hip, and spine.
Pain Management doctor
Many car accident victims experience acute pain as a result of the accident or the surgeries they have after the accident. Drivers, passengers, and others often suffer chronic, long-lasting pain as well. Pain management doctors have special training in diagnosing the source of the pain and treating the pain. They have experience with nerves, tissues, muscles, the spine, and other parts of the anatomy. Common medical treatments include epidural steroid injections. Some pain management doctors are now working with neurosurgeons to implant a spinal cord stimulator. Medications usually include anti-inflammatories. Some pain management doctors are also qualified to prescribe stronger pain medications.
Neurosurgeons and neurologists.
These doctors are often called in to treat people with spinal cord damage and traumatic brain injuries. The neurologist usually focuses on the diagnosis of damage to the peripheral and autonomic nervous systems – and in providing treatments. Neurosurgeons have the training to perform necessary often delicate surgeries.
Therapists
Also, often, a car accident victim will spend a lot of time treating with different types of therapists. These therapists usually have special medical training but they are not licensed, doctors. Therapy includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, and vocational therapy. It can also include speech therapy and other types of therapy. Hence, therapy can last months or even years and is often done multiple times in a week or a month. They help a car accident victim move, obtain function in body parts, and also minimize pain – often by strengthening other parts of the anatomy.
Chiropractors
These doctors have training in spinal manipulation. They help many patients improve their range of motion. Many car accident victims find working with a chiropractor helpful.
Many patients often treat with psychologists and psychiatrists too.