How Can You Ensure that Tampa Bay Area Medical Providers Properly Document Your Auto Accident Injuries?

If you are injured in a car accident in the Tampa Bay, Florida area, an experienced Tampa automobile accidents lawyer will stress the importance of documenting your injuries immediately.

There are several reasons why immediate documentation is so important. First, when you make a claim with an insurance company to pay the medical bills related to your auto accident, your insurance company will want proof of your injuries from an unbiased third party. Your emergency room exam and subsequent examinations will provide this unbiased proof.

Second, if you and your lawyer need to pursue legal action to cover your past, present, and future medical bills related to your auto accident, you will again need proof of your injuries. The at-fault party in the auto accident may try to minimize your injuries or say that your injuries were not caused by the accident. By going to an emergency room immediately after the auto accident and getting follow-up care shortly thereafter, you and your automobile accidents lawyer will have strong evidence in support of your case.

To ensure that you have proper documentation from Tampa Bay medical care providers after your automobile accident, consider the following advice:

• Always go to a hospital immediately after an automobile accident. Even if you are unsure about whether or not you are injured, you should go to a hospital for a thorough examination. Many injuries do not fully develop until hours or days after an accident; in rare cases, injuries may take months to appear. Emergency care physicians at a hospital will know what to look for, what questions to ask, and what injuries are possible according to the type of accident you were involved in.
• Ask the hospital if they feel there are any diagnostic tests you should have such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, blood tests, etc. These could greatly help in proving your injuries.
• If possible, take pictures of your injuries including any scarring or bruises as soon as possible and be sure to take a number of pictures of the wreckage at the scene of the auto accident, including pictures of the other cars involved and even such things as skid marks. After you get home and over the course of the next several weeks, you might consider taking additional pictures so that your injuries and progress can be well documented. If necessary, consider asking family members or friends to help you with this.
• Get follow-up care from a physician of your choice. Your doctor can further document your injuries. By the way, try to avoid missing appointments with your doctor. Missed appointments can give the wrong impression that your injuries are not serious.
• Contact a Tampa automobile accidents lawyer who provides comprehensive service. An experienced lawyer with a sufficient support staff will help gather your medical documentation for you.
• At the emergency room ask for a copy of your medical records which can help facilitate your subsequent treatment.

For more information about documenting your car accident injuries, as well as to receive a free assessment of your case, please contact Tampa automobile accidents lawyer Dale Appell, P.A. today. We are here to help clients throughout the area including Temple Terrace, Bradenton, Clearwater, Riverview, Tarpon Springs, Odessa, St Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Tampa, Hillsborough, and Hudson.