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.

The first thing to do is: get medical help.

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:

• Neck, back, or shoulder pain caused by whiplash.
• Back pain due to injuries to the muscles, ligaments, or nerves.
• Numbness in arms and hands.

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:

• Have a report of any progress or new health developments of your injuries.
• Show the insurance company that your injuries are affecting your livelihood.
• Have proof of all the physicians and therapy sessions needed during your treatment.

Who pays for my medical costs?

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.

How can Castan & Lecca help me during this process?

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:

• Pain and suffering damages.
• Lost wages and future lost income.
• Car repairment costs.

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.