While a majority of car accidents result in minor injuries, there are plenty that result in fatalities. Minnesota experienced a drop in car-accident-related fatalities when 392 people lost their lives in 2016, in contrast with 411 in 2015, according to the Office of Traffic Safety.
If you find yourself with injuries following a car crash, then you need to see a doctor immediately, preferably within 24 hours of the incident. There are some instances where a person does not feel any pain right after a collision, but there are plenty of health conditions that have hidden symptoms. Play it safe and see a doctor. When you are at the office, here are some topics to broach.
Request medical documentation
For insurance purposes, you will probably need to submit documentation related to what injuries you sustained. In most cases, your doctor should automatically provide you with these papers. However, if you do not receive them, then make sure to ask before you leave the facility. Make sure you have the following items:
- Copies of referrals to other medical specialists
- Copies of any of the doctor’s notes, including information about whether you should take time off work
- Copies of any prescriptions
- Proof of how long injuries will last based on follow-up appointments
- A written account of a long-term health plan
- Proof of all injuries in question, which can include copies of X-rays
Ask about any health concerns
A doctor’s visit is your opportunity to ask about anything that worries you. For example, if you still feel pain in an area the doctor has not addressed, then make sure to bring it up. You can even request an X-ray or another scan of the area to see if the medical team can find anything. If for whatever reason you are not happy with the diagnosis, then do not hesitate to seek a second opinion. It is best to get all the information right after a car accident rather than wait months.
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