One of your first steps after a car accident should be to seek medical attention. Not only does getting a medical evaluation protect your health, but it also ensures your injuries are properly documented, something that is vital if you later need to file an insurance claim or legal case.

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, our Mobile car accident attorneys are dedicated to helping injured victims after a car crash; from helping them avoid critical mistakes that could hurt their claims to getting medical care and securing compensation they deserve.

Call Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys today at 251-888-8888 for a free, no-risk case review.

What Are My Immediate Medical Care Options After a Car Crash in Mobile?

After a motor vehicle accident, there are a few potential options for seeking medical care, but not all of them are optimal.

Primary Care Physician – Not Optimal for Emergency Care

If you were involved in a collision, you may feel more comfortable going to your primary care doctor, however, this is not the best idea for several reasons.

• You could wait weeks to get an appointment.
• Primary care offices are not equipped to handle critical situations.
• Internal injuries, soft-tissue damage and other trauma may worsen without immediate treatment.
• It is harder to link your injuries to the crash that caused them if you are not seen until days to weeks after the incident occurred.

From the insurance company’s point of view, if you can wait weeks to seek medical care after being involved in a collision, your injuries are minor or do not exist at all. If you filed a claim for medical damages, waiting this long to seek treatment gives insurers room to claim that any injuries you did sustain likely happened somewhere else.

Urgent Care Centers – A Slightly Better Choice

Urgent care centers are a significantly better choice for immediate medical care after a car crash. They are cheaper, your wait time may be shorter, and you may be able to get treated the same day.

While Mobile offers several urgent care centers for less severe injuries, including American Family Care and Urgent Care by Infirmary Health, there are still some downsides to choosing an urgent care center over emergency care:

• Urgent care centers have set operating hours, and since car crashes often happen at odd hours, one may not be open.
• There may only be basic X-ray equipment on site, which may not help you if you have internal bleeding.
• Even if the equipment needed is available, there is no guarantee a radiologist or X-ray technician will be on site.
• If urgent care is not open or the equipment you need is not available, you have just delayed getting the care you need. If your injuries are internal, this could put your health at risk.

Why Should I Go to the Emergency Room Instead of Urgent Care After a Car Crash?

Often the most optimum choice for getting immediate medical attention is at a nearby emergency room. Mobile’s emergency rooms at facilities like USA Health University Hospital and Providence Hospital provide 24/7 trauma care for critical situations.

Emergency Rooms Are Always Open and Better Equipped

The reason emergency rooms are often the best choice is because time is critical. ERs never close, and they are equipped with advanced diagnostic tools, including CT scans and MRIs. They also have specialized trauma teams that are trained to quickly diagnose and treat serious injuries, including:

• Internal bleeding
• Spinal trauma
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Fractures
• Soft tissue damage
• Punctured lungs, damaged spleens, and other internal damage

Crash victims who delay seeking emergent medical care risk getting treated quickly enough to avoid dangerous complications.

How Soon After My Car Crash Should I Seek Medical Care to Protect My Claim?

To protect your health and reduce the risk of potentially life-threatening situations, you should seek medical care right after your car crash.

Delaying Medical Care Could Risk Your Health

Even if you do not see or feel any visible damage, you may have serious internal injuries. Serious and even life-threatening injuries can present without any noticeable symptoms for hours or even days following a crash.

Time Gaps Could Cause Your Claim to Be Denied

Insurance companies routinely deny claims when victims delay seeking treatment after a car crash. Medical records created within hours after your crash establish a clear relationship between the collision and your injuries.

Delaying medical care endangers your health and provides insurance adjusters with potential reason to minimize or reject your claim entirely.

What Medical Tests and Documentation Are Essential After a Mobile Car Crash?

Proper medical documentation is the foundation of your injury claim, as it creates an official record that connects your injuries directly to the accident.

• Diagnostic Imaging Tests: X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs help doctors to identify fractures, soft tissue damage, and internal injuries more quickly.
• Detailed Clinical Notes: Your medical records contain doctor’s notes detailing the symptoms you described, pain levels, and physical limitations,
• Documented Medical Opinions: Any notes your doctor makes about your injuries after the crash will be added to your medical records. This could include your doctor’s diagnosis, restricted activities, and an estimated time to recovery.
• Follow-up Appointment Records: This information is vital, as it shows insurance companies whether you are serious about healing from your injuries. Skipping appointments or not following your doctor’s care plan could harm your claim.
• Prescription Records: Documentation about prescribed or over-the-counter medications recommended for your recovery get documented in your medical records.
• Referrals to Specialists: If your treating physician feels you need specialist injury treatment, those referrals will also be included in your medical records.

How Does Alabama Insurance Coverage Work for Car Accident Injuries?

Alabama is an at-fault state, so the insurance of the driver who caused the crash becomes responsible for reimbursing your health insurance and covering any additional medical expenses related to the crash. This process may take weeks or months to resolve, creating a significant delay in payment settlements.

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we can help you understand your medical payment options while your case is pending. If your budget allows it, purchasing optional MedPay coverage which can pay for your initial medical costs up to your policy’s limits.

Why Following Your Doctor’s Complete Treatment Plan Matters for Your Case?

Following your doctor’s treatment plan creates evidence of your injuries and your commitment to recovery, significantly strengthening your legal position against insurance companies looking to minimize your claim.

• Complete treatment records provide essential documentation: Medical records document your progress, the impact of treatments attempted, pain levels and limitations.
• Insurance adjusters search for treatment gaps or missed appointments: Even if you initially sought medical care without delay, be diligent to continue to attend appointments for your follow-up care. Insurers use skipped appointments and treatment gaps as an opportunity to argue that you exaggerated the severity of your injuries. They may also say you are not doing your part to heal from your injuries.
• Your physicians become potential expert witnesses: Your healthcare providers can testify on the status of your condition, including your recovery outlook.
• Premature termination of treatment suggests full recovery: Insurers can use this against your claim to minimize your potential compensation
• Courts view failure to follow medical advice negatively: Along with missing medical appointments, not following your doctor’s medical advice will be seen as “failure to mitigate damages.“
• Each follow-up appointment reinforces your case: These visits are documented in your medical records, along with the updated status and severity of your injuries, creating a detailed and verifiable timeline.

When Should I Consult Specialists for Car Crash Injuries in Mobile?

Seeking specialized medical care may be critical if your injuries extend beyond what general practitioners can effectively diagnose or treat. This is especially true for conditions that may have long-term implications for your health and legal claim.

Common reasons to seek specialist care after a car crash include:

• When ER physicians or primary care doctors specifically recommend it.
• For persistent neck or back pain needing an orthopedic or neurosurgical evaluation.
• When headaches, memory issues, or other issues, suggest a traumatic brain injury.
• For chronic pain conditions that do not improve with initial treatments.
• When diagnostic imaging shows specific injuries requiring specialized treatment.
• If psychological symptoms like depression or PTSD develop following your accident.
• When injuries affect your ability to work or perform daily activities long-term.
• If you develop nerve damage symptoms, such as numbness, tingling, or weakness.
• For any injuries that could potentially result in permanent impairment or disability.

Seeking Compensation After a Car Accident? Contact a Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys Today

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, our experienced Mobile car accident attorneys are prepared to fully manage your injury case, including handling the complex insurance negotiations on your behalf.

Our experienced legal team is compassionate, but fierce, and ready to fight aggressively for the full compensation you deserve.

Worried about costs? There are no upfront costs when we fight for your justice.

I win or you don’t owe me a dime. 251-888-8888