After any type of accident, an injured victim should make his or her health and recovery a top priority. Whether you are able to receive medical treatment immediately at the scene of the accident, you were transported to a nearby hospital facility, or you did not receive medical attention right away, you should follow up with your physician. Not only will doing so protect your health, but it will also protect any personal injury claim you may later have against the at-fault party.
Questions to Ask
When you have sought out medical attention for your accident-related injuries, there are a few important questions you should be asking. These include:
- What injuries do I have? When you seek medical treatment from a physician after an injury, he or she will need to know what happened during the accident. After you have explained this, the doctor can take the proper tests including X-rays, MRIs, and other exams. These tests can help to diagnose your injuries, which is critical to proper treatment;
- What treatment options do I have? Once your doctor has determined a medical diagnosis and you know the nature of your injuries, the next topic to discuss is your treatment options. If your injuries are not severe immediately after the accident, your doctor will likely want to use conservative treatments first. These may include pain management, chiropractic care, and physical therapy. Should these not provide relief, more invasive treatment may include trigger point injections or surgical intervention;
- Do I need to see a specialist? The type of injury you suffered may be best treated by a medical specialist. This is because specialists focus on treating certain injuries. Examples of specialists include neurologists, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, pain management doctors, among others. Speak with your treating physician to find out if a specialist is the better approach for your medical care;
- What is my prognosis? This is simply a medical doctor’s opinion about your injuries, including the short-term and long-term symptoms you can expect to experience, and how long it should take you to recover. This can help you better understand what needs to be done as you get treatment, care, and rehabilitation;
- What are my restrictions and limitations? This is an important conversation to have because many accident victims hurt themselves even more by returning to work too soon or engaging in activities that they are not ready for. Discuss what work – if any – you can perform and what physical activities you should avoid.
Personal Injury Help in Nevada
Trying to figure out a personal injury claim can be difficult for a layperson, let alone an injured accident victim. The main focus of an injured victim should be seeking medical treatment, not dealing with insurance companies’ tactics. If you or someone you know has been hurt in Nevada, contact the experienced Las Vegas personal injury attorneys at Matt Pfau Law Group today. We will answer your questions, guide you on the next steps to take, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
