If you have been in a car accident in South Carolina, your health and legal rights depend on seeing the right medical professional immediately.
Insurance companies often argue that if you did not seek medical help right away, you were not actually hurt. So, although under South Carolina Code Section 15-3-530, you generally have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit, waiting even a few days to see a doctor can hurt your case.
What Doctor to See After a Car Accident: Where Should You Start?
The first doctor you see depends on how you feel right after the impact. If you feel any pain in your neck, back, or head, you should start with an emergency room physician or an urgent care doctor. These providers are trained to find “hidden” injuries like internal bleeding or concussions that might not show symptoms for hours.
If your injuries are not life-threatening, consider calling your primary care physician (PCP). Some primary care doctors in South Carolina do not see patients for car accidents because they do not want to deal with third-party insurance billing or potential legal testimony. You should call your doctor’s office first and ask if they treat “auto accident patients.”
If your PCP will not see you, look for a doctor for a car accident who specializes in personal injury. These doctors understand how to document injuries for a legal claim. They will write detailed notes about your range of motion, pain levels, and how the injury limits your daily life. This documentation is what a lawyer uses to negotiate with insurance adjusters.
How Long Do You Have to See a Doctor After an Auto Accident?
While you legally have three years to sue, you only have a few days to prove your injuries.
If you wait longer than 14 days, many insurance companies will automatically deny your claim or offer a much lower settlement. They view a delay in treatment as proof that the injury was minor.
What’s more, South Carolina follows the comparative negligence rule. This means your compensation can be reduced if you are found partially at fault for your own damages, which can include failing to mitigate your injuries by avoiding medical care.
Should You Go to the Hospital After a Car Accident?
You should go to the hospital after a car accident if you have any loss of consciousness, severe pain, or difficulty breathing. Even if you think you are “just a little sore,” the hospital has diagnostic tools that a regular clinic might not have. They can perform:
- CT Scans: To check for brain injuries or internal organ damage.
- X-rays: To find hairline fractures in the ribs, arms, or legs.
- MRIs: To see soft tissue damage like torn ligaments or herniated discs.
Adrenaline can mask pain. You might feel fine at the scene of the crash, but wake up the next morning unable to move your neck. Going to the hospital creates an immediate link between the accident and your physical state, which protects you later down the line.
Common Types of Doctors for Car Accident Injuries
A car crash affects many systems in the body. You might need to see several different specialists to get back to full health.
Orthopedic Surgeons
These doctors focus on the musculoskeletal system. They treat broken bones, torn ligaments, and joint damage. If you have a knee injury or a broken arm, an orthopedist is the primary specialist you need.
Neurologists
If you have headaches, blurred vision, or numbness in your hands, you may have a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or nerve damage. Neurologists test your brain function and spinal cord health.
Chiropractors
Many victims find relief through chiropractic care, especially for spinal alignment issues caused by the sudden jarring of a crash.
Pain Management Specialists
These doctors help patients deal with chronic pain through injections or specific medication plans that avoid long-term dependency.
Each of these doctors will create a report. These reports describe your “prognosis,” which is a medical prediction of how much you will recover. We use these reports to calculate how much money you will need for future medical care.
The Role of Physical Therapy in Car Accident Recovery
Physical therapy is often the longest part of the recovery process. While a surgeon might fix a bone, a physical therapist helps you regain the strength to walk or drive again. Many car accident victims attend therapy multiple times a week for several months.
Physical therapy records are excellent evidence because they show a clear path of your pain levels over time. The therapist notes your range of motion and your ability to perform daily tasks. If you stop going to physical therapy before the doctor releases you, the insurance company will assume you are fully healed and stop paying your benefits.
Following a physical therapy plan is hard work, but it is the best way to prove the physical impact the accident had on your life. It shows that you are doing everything possible to get better, which makes you a more sympathetic person to a jury or an adjuster.
Contact a Camden Car Accident Lawyer
Getting the right medical care is the first step, but dealing with insurance companies is the second. If you are struggling to find a doctor for a car accident or if the insurance company is refusing to pay your bills, Savage, Royall & Sheheen, LLP can help.
Contact us at 803-432-4391 to request a free consultation to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer about your case. We can review your medical records and help you understand the next steps in your recovery.