Common Mistakes When Speaking to Doctors After an Accident

If you’ve been in a crash, your health and well being are of utmost importance. You must seek immediate medical care to assess your injuries and determine the best plan of action for any follow-up care. It’s essential always to follow your doctor’s orders. You should avoid some frequent missteps when following up with your care.

All too often, people forget about the legal aspect involved in their medical care. What you say to your doctor will become a part of your claim against the insurance company and potentially your lawsuit. If you want your insurance claim to go smoothly, you should be sure to involve a trusted attorney such as those at Mickey Keenan, P.A. Have you been involved in an accident? Give Mickey Keenan a call today at (813) 871-1300.

Missing Your Doctor’s Appointments

Life gets busy, but you must show up to all of your medical appointments. If you miss one or fail to follow your treatment plan, an insurance company could use that against you, claiming that you aren’t as injured as you actually are.

Make sure you’re on top of all of your appointments, not only for insurance matters but also for your health. It’s very common for people to stop treatment as soon as they feel a little better, when often the underlying issue is still persistent.

Not Keeping Detailed Notes

Make sure you get a copy of every X-ray, MRI, ultrasound, lab work, and doctor’s visit notes. Ensure you jot down information your doctor shares with you during your visits, as it may be useful to yourself and your case. Additionally, keep track of all billing and payment info as well as contact info for each doctor, medical facility, and billing department. Having a filing system to keep track of your health history as you go simplifies the process of maintaining a paper trail.

Being Dishonest About Your Medical History

Going to the doctor can be stressful for some. But you can significantly hurt your case if you lie about or omit facts regarding your health, habits, or pre-existing conditions.

Of course, it’s essential to tell your doctor about any injuries or conditions you already have so he or she can accurately diagnose and treat you. But it’s equally important that you follow your treatment plan as prescribed and that you are honest about it.

Sharing Too Much Information

On the flip side, you don’t want to give too much information. If your doctor asks about your accident, make sure you stick to the facts only. Don’t comment on any other parties involved or speculate about the crash’s mitigating circumstances.

Instead, only tell your medical providers factual information pertaining to your medical care. Keep the relationship professional with the doctor and try not to vent about the cause of the crash, no matter how much you may want to vent.Conversations with your doctors should revolve only around your injuries, not your active case.

Talking About Your Case With Medical Staff

The only person who should be discussing your case with your doctor is your attorney.Any conversations with your health care team could severely affect your claim. It’s essential to have a trustworthy and reputable attorney on your side, like those at Mickey Keenan, P.A.

To avoid any potential issues with your case, make sure you avoid asking your doctor to testify on your behalf, and stick to discussing only your injuries and treatment plan.

Mickey Keenan Will Help Make You Whole Again

The Mickey Keenan team of personal injury and car accident attorneys works around the clock to help you get back to your life after an accident. Get representation from a Tampa Bay law firm with the experience, knowledge, and genuine compassion you deserve. Contact us today, and we’ll fight for the best possible resolution for you.