The aftermath of suffering a car accident can be an overwhelming and traumatic experience. So many emotions may be rushing through your body, which can leave you not knowing what to do. But remember, the first step after an accident is to check if you and other passengers have injuries.
After examining your injuries, you might have doubts such as: “Should I call an ambulance? Do medical costs come out of my pocket? Who pays for my injuries?” Since we know that you may have more questions after an auto accident, in this blog article, we will provide answers to these issues and more information on receiving medical care after a car accident.
In any type of accident, personal injuries, work accidents, or car crashes, once you’ve checked if you or others have injuries, you should call 911 for an ambulance -if there are any wounds- and wait for the police to arrive on the scene.
Having first aid arrive at the accident scene can establish a link between the incident and your injuries. They document what injuries were visible right after the aftermath. These medical evaluations are a clear piece of evidence to show in your insurance claim, so the insurance company pays for your injuries.
Despite not feeling or seeing any injuries, you will still need to visit a doctor or go to the hospital. Why? Insurance companies can defend themselves from not paying your compensation by arguing that if you didn’t see a physician, you weren’t injured (or severely harmed). On the other hand, you might have injuries that can appear later on, which are:
For these reasons, we strongly recommend you visit a doctor within 24 hours after your accident. Any ache, pain, or sensitivity you have should be discussed with your physician to ensure they document all your symptoms. If there are any preexisting conditions, also disclose this to your doctor. Either way, you will undergo medical tests to check for any brain injury and get a proper diagnosis for your correct treatment.
Also, going to a doctor’s visit allows you to have the documents needed to show that the accident caused you physical harm. By doing so, you can:
A common worry most accident victims may have is: who is responsible for paying for my medical costs? Is it my insurance company or the other driver’s insurer? Does it come out of my pocket? These concerns may cause stress and lead people to shy away from getting medical attention. However, we want to explain how this process works to calm any potential anxiety and assure you get medical care after a car crash.
In Georgia, each driver involved in an accident has to pay for their medical costs upfront. If you have a healthcare insurance plan, your insurer will pay for all of your treatment. Even having medical coverage (MedPay) can pay a portion of your bills.
But if you don’t have health insurance or money to pay and need medical help, it is recommended to have an experienced auto accident attorney on your side. Why? For example, here at Castan & Lecca, we count on an allied network of doctors and chiropractors that can treat you on a lien basis. In other words, their services will be paid once you reach a settlement for your injuries.
However, it’s not always going to be you who’s responsible for medical costs. Once your case is settled, you’ll receive a reimbursement of your medical bills from the at-fault driver’s insurer. That is why having an attorney on your side and keeping all of your medical documents can make sure you are completely compensated for your injuries.
We understand that getting medical help after an auto accident shouldn’t be a road you take alone. At Castan & Lecca, we are committed to helping injured victims of auto accidents and even rideshare accidents get compensation for their injuries.
We guide you when you’re signing legal documents. The at-fault driver’s insurer or even your insurance company has one goal in mind: protecting their economic interests. To do so, they may confuse you with technical vocabulary or propose a lowball offer. Since we know their methods, our attorneys will explain in detail what you are signing to not lose out on your compensation.
On the other hand, we will help you file insurance claims quickly. One common mistake we see in these cases that lose out on a car accident claim is not meeting the deadlines to file a claim. Insurance companies use stalling tactics to delay the process as much as possible and try to go over the statute of limitations period. That is why we advocate on your behalf to speed up this process and attain superior results.
Lastly, when we start representing your case, not only are we making sure your medical costs are covered, we make sure you are compensated for:
At Castan & Lecca, we are ready to help your life get back on track after an accident. Call us today at 770-800-7000 or contact us to schedule a free consultation on your case. We are exceptional attorneys that bring superior results to our clients.
51 Lenox Pointe NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
4131 Steve Reynolds Blvd #102
Norcross, GA 30093
Dustin Thompson
Attorney
Dustin Thompson was raised in rural Camilla, Georgia. Dustin graduated from Georgia Southern University majoring in political science and history. After graduation, Dustin obtained a law degree from Georgia State University College of Law in Atlanta. Before becoming a lawyer, Dustin worked a variety of jobs from a watermelon farm in Mitchell County to a policy think tank in Washington D.C. Dustin has practiced law almost exclusively in the workers’ compensation arena since 2014. For nearly a decade, he worked for a large defense firm in Georgia representing employers and insurers and gaining the invaluable experience and knowledge of how insurers defend claims. In 2023, Dustin joined the firm to use his expertise and litigation skills to help individuals who have been injured as a result of work accidents and third-party negligence. Dustin has been repeatedly recognized by Best Lawyers: “Ones to Watch” in the practice of workers’ compensation. Outside of work, Dustin enjoys traveling, hunting, and attending sporting events. He and his family are active in Buckhead Church.
MICHAEL BOESCHEN
Attorney
Michael Boeschen (Mike) was born in Wichita, KS and raised in Chattanooga, TN. Mike graduated from The McCallie School and went on to study history, Spanish, and Latin American Studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. After graduation, he went on to pursue a law degree from the University Of Georgia School Of Law. During law school, Mike participated in the Legal Aid Clinic, assisting in the defense of indigent criminal defendants. Mike has been licensed to practice law in Georgia since 2002 and his main practice area consists of representing injured workers as they navigate through the Georgia workers’ compensation system. Mike is also fluent in Spanish. In his spare time Mike enjoys following soccer, cooking, and spending time with his wife and two young daughters. Mike and his family are parishioners of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Sandy Springs, GA
CHRISTIAN PECONE
Attorney
ED DENKER
Attorney
ILIANA DOBREV
Attorney
KEN THAXTON
Attorney
ALEXANDER LECCA
Attorney
DANIEL CASTAN
Attorney
Dan Castan is a senior partner at Castan and Lecca, PC in Buckhead and represents injured workers before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation and plaintiffs in State and Superior Courts of Georgia for injuries suffered in accidents. Dan litigated one of the seminal claims securing the rights of undocumented workers to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits in the state of Georgia when injured in the case of Wet Walls, Inc. vs. Ledesma. Dan has successfully fought and settled multi million dollar cases. He was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey to immigrant parents from Cuba. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College and received his Juris Doctor from The Washington College of Law at The American University in Washington D.C. Dan was admitted to the Georgia Bar in November, 1993. He is an active member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Atlanta Bar Association and the Workers’ Compensation Section of the State Bar of Georgia. Dan is a founding member and Director of the Latino Victory Fund Georgia and serves on the Board of The Latin American Association. Dan has been dedicated to getting Latinos elected to local, state and Federal offices in Georgia. He has been a Big Brother through Big Brothers and Sisters of Metro Atlanta and a mentor through The Latin American Association’s mentor/mentee program. Dan is married with two children.