There is a common misunderstanding regarding what a lawyer can and cannot, or should not, do for clients who are injured in a car accident. It is understandable that the entire process of setting up doctors’ appointments and navigating through your treatment can be overwhelming, especially if your car has been totaled or is being repaired. However, when it comes to personal injury claims, there are certain things that are best handled on your own, such as establishing treatment with a doctor. Yes, your attorney can guide you through some of the processes, especially when doctors’ offices claim they cannot use health insurance if you were in a car accident.
However, you may ultimately build a stronger case and save yourself money in the end if you do not rely on the attorney to set up appointments or determine what doctors you see.
Many insurance companies cynically suspect that if the attorney assists you in procuring medical treatment, then you are not hurt or are being steered toward a doctor-friendly to your lawyer. You do not want is the perception that your attorney, who is not a doctor, dictates your treatment. However, sometimes an injured client might have no choice but to seek assistance from the attorney for treatment because there is no health insurance or because some providers refuse to treat car crash victims.
This does not mean you are completely on your own. It simply means you will want to take control of your treatment from the beginning. When you meet with an attorney for a consultation, let him or her know if you have health insurance or not and what follow up instructions you were given at your initial treatment visit, whether that was at the emergency room, urgent care or your primary care physician. This information will help your attorney guide you towards the appropriate starting path, which usually consists of clarifying what the doctor told you at your initial treatment visit.