Interested in learning how to protect your whiplash injury claim amount? This article discusses one critical aspect you may not have considered.
Thousands of car accidents happen every day, and a large portion of those accidents result in some sort of neck injury. Since they see them so frequently, insurance companies are all too familiar with whiplash injuries—and how to avoid paying out for them.
You should do everything you can to keep your claim free of any mistakes that might help your insurance company deny your claim. And that includes one seemingly simple choice you make following an accident.
The Doctor You Choose Could Make or Break Your Case
When you visit a doctor for treatment after your accident, you should be careful to choose someone who is reputable and qualified to treat your injuries. While you may not have a choice about the doctor who treats you first if you are in need of emergency medical services, you can choose where you go once you are no longer in immediate danger.
This choice could prove to be one of the most important in the insurance claim process. The size of your whiplash injury claim amount could be impacted if you choose poorly, which could leave you with some unexpected medical expenses that you will need to pay out of pocket.
What to Avoid
When you receive treatment from a doctor, here are a few things to be aware of:
Insurance Scams
It would be nice if we lived in a world where everyone was honest. Unfortunately, that is not reality, and even medical professionals can try to take advantage of you when you are at one of the lowest points of your life.
The value of your insurance claim is largely based on the cost of your medical treatment, so a dishonest doctor could try to get more money from your insurance by running unnecessary tests or providing unnecessary treatment. You might think that it’s not a big deal because it’s the insurance company’s money, not yours, but it could come back to haunt you if your insurance provider denies your claim for these costs.
Independent Medical Examiners
Another thing to know when you file an insurance claim is that not all doctors are on your side. If the insurance company doubts the legitimacy of your whiplash injury, they may require you to see an Independent Medical Examiner (IME) to confirm your condition. IMEs are there to report back to your insurance company, so only give them as much information as you think they need about your condition.
If you are required to see an IME, you may benefit from the guidance of a personal injury attorney.
Want to Protect Your Whiplash Injury Claim Amount?
Our attorneys are here to help you get the car accident settlement you need to treat your injuries. Talk to us today to set up a consultation so that we can help you build your case.