If you have been involved in a major car accident, and you suffered injuries that required medical attention, you are going to want to keep track of your injuries and medical care in case you end up needed to purse a personal injury lawsuit in order to get your bills paid. Here are three things you should do following a car accident when you need medical care.
#1 Document Your Injuries
The first thing that you need to do is make sure that you document your injuries. When you get hurt, if possible, take pictures of your injuries before you even head to the hospital. Then, take pictures of your injuries at the hospital and the treatment that you receive.
If your injuries evolve over time, such as a serious bruise or a break, make sure that you take pictures of the evolution of the injury as it goes through the healing process. Visual evidence of injuries can be really compelling.
#2 Ask For Copies Of Your Treatment Notes
If possible, after you are treated in the emergency room and after each doctor visit, ask to get a copy of the treatment notes from your appointment. These notes will help you keep track of all the treatment that you receive and will allow you to see what the doctors wrote down about your injuries.
Ask that all medical codes that indicate the type of treatment that you received be included in the doctor's notes. Make sure that you can read this information. Also, be sure to tell the doctor that the injuries that you sustained were obtained in a car accident and make sure that they note this information on your medical notes.
#3 Keep Copies & Records Of All Bills
Generally, doctor's offices and health care facilities do not bill you immediately. Instead, they send out their bills later to your insurance company or to your home address. These bills often come months after the treatment.
Be sure to let the medical facility or doctor know the name and information for your car insurance that is supposed to cover your treatment. Also, make sure that they send you a copy of all the bills as well. You may want to ask that they expedite your bills through their system so that you can keep an accurate record of your treatment. You don't want to go through treatment and get a settlement from your insurance company for the accident only to get surprise bills months later.
For more information, contact local professionals like those found at Monohan & Blankenship.
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