Were you injured at work or in a car accident? If so, it is very likely that you have (or you should have) spoken with a personal injury doctor. A personal injury doctor is a physician that specializes in a wide range of conditions and treatments.
They are trained to provide treatments for injuries caused by car accidents, slips and falls, or any other incidents that may be caused by negligence.
A personal injury doctor is essential for a patient’s recovery. They are also a key part of any personal injury claims. This is why it’s so important to be seen by a quality personal injury lawyer…especially in Texas.
When is a Personal Injury Doctor Needed?
First and foremost, the personal injury doctor is typically required to be called in when someone is injured in an accident. You can connect with a doctor before meeting with anyone else but it’s likely you may be referred by one of the following:
- Emergency or Urgent Care Center
- General Practitioner
- Personal Injury Lawyer
- Hospital or Clinic medical professional
- Nurse Practitioner
At your initial visit your injury doctor will diagnose the injuries and determine the course of action to take for treatment. This initial visit may include some of the following tests or exams:
- Imaging tests: X-ray, MRI, and CT scan.
- Joint range of motion tests
- Neurologic diagnostic evaluation
- Palpitation and pain tests
Each of these tests is designed to help with diagnosing the injury and the source of the irritation and pain that you are suffering from. The doctor will then use the results to determine the appropriate course of treatment for your particular medical condition. In some cases, this may mean referring you to a chiropractic physician for the treatment of medical problems like whiplash.
Documents Injuries and Treatment
As mentioned earlier, the personal injury doctor tends to be an all-encompassing role. The personal injury doctor is responsible for more than just diagnosing and treating injuries. They must also document their findings.
This information must be documented in the patient’s medical record and submitted to the appropriate party/parties when requested. For instance, you or your personal injury lawyer may be required to submit your medical records to an insurance company, other attorneys, or the court. So, personal injury doctors and their staff’s role is to provide the information requested in a timely manner.
These records will usually consist of the doctor’s findings, your current progress in the treatment provided, and any future treatment plans if necessary. Whatever the situation, this information will be used to help everyone involved in the case to understand the injuries. It is also used as supporting documentation for the case to determine the amount of compensation you may be entitled to.
Refers Patients to other Doctors
According to the (AAMC) American Association of Medical Colleges, there are over 135 medical specialties and subspecialties in the medical field. Therefore, if the personal injury doctor finds problems that require medical attention by other specialists, they may refer you to a doctor that specializes in this area.
There are many types of doctors in the medical field who may be needed for further medical treatment.
Here is a list of six of the most common:
- Primary care physicians
- Neurologists physicians
- Pain management specialists
- Chiropractors
- Physical therapists
- Spinal and neck specialists
These doctors can treat a variety of car accident injuries, such as whiplash, broken bones, concussions, spinal cord injuries, and other soft-tissue injuries.
Provide Ongoing Medical Care to Patients
It is also important to note that a personal injury doctor may be needed to provide ongoing medical care. If you have suffered a whiplash injury, you may need ongoing medical attention. This will ensure that the injury is properly treated and improves with time. Actually, this is a very common scenario in personal injury cases since it takes time for this type of injury to heal.
Also, based on information published by medical sites like Cleveland Clinic, the average time for whiplash to heal usually varies from one individual and severity to another. For example, a whiplash injury that is less severe may take anywhere between a few days to several weeks to heal. Yet, a more severe injury may take several months to heal.
No matter the circumstances, a personal injury doctor may provide ongoing medical care. This care ensures that the patient’s pain is adequately managed and that no other issues arise. The personal injury doctor may need to refer the patient to a specialist. This specialist has the expertise to perform a surgical procedure.
Final Thoughts
A personal injury doctor is a medical practitioner who specializes in providing treatments for injuries resulting from car accidents, slips and falls, and other incidents caused by negligence. They have a wide range of specializations aimed at ensuring that their patients receive all-encompassing care.
Personal injury doctors have a vital role in the recovery of patients and injury claims. This helps patients return to optimal health and well-being as fast as possible.
Looking for a texas personal injury doctor? Give us a call or schedule an appointment at one of our two locations:
