Medical Treatment After a Wreck

Getting the right medical treatment after an automobile wreck--or any other injury--is important for two main reasons: (1) the injured party is doing what they can to get better, and (2) the claim is easier because medical practitioners are documenting the injuries and efforts to improve.

When it comes to medical treatment, most clients in South Carolina begin with an EMS trip to the hospital's emergency room. Alternatively, the client will wait a few hours or a few days and then go see their primary care physician once the client realizes the injury is not going away.

Attorney Andrew Littlejohn Johnson tells all clients the same thing: do what the physician suggests, and try your best to improve your medical condition. Never do we tell a client where to treat or who to treat with.

So, what treatment occurs in different injuries? It depends. However, below is what we typically see.

Treatment Examples

Typical treatment that we see for the following types of injuries (after obtaining a referral from a primary care or general practicing, emergency room physician) is as follows:

Neck/Back Pain

• Examples: slipped disc, cervical strain, lumbar strain, thoracic strain, disc herniation, disc bulge, sacroiliitis, sciatica, spondylolisthesis, muscle strain

• Treatment: physical therapy > x-ray > orthopedic treatment > MRI > potential steroid injections or surgery

Nerve Damage

• Examples: nerve impingement, nerve compression, spinal cord compression, sciatica, spondylolisthesis

• Treatment: physical therapy > x-ray > orthopedic treatment > MRI > neurology treatment > potential steroid injections or surgery > potential long-term orthopedic or neurological treatment

Broken Bones

• Examples: slipped disc, cervical strain, lumbar strain, thoracic strain, disc herniation, disc bulge, sacroiliitis, sciatica, spondylolisthesis, muscle strain

• Treatment: orthopedic treatment > physical therapy > multiple imaging throughout treatment

Brain Injury

• Examples: concussion, closed head injury, traumatic brain injury (TBI), minor traumatic brain injury (mTBI)

• Treatment: neurology treatment > potential neurosurgery treatment > potential physiatry appointment > an array of imaging and studies (CT scan, 1.5T MRI, 3T MRI, FMRI, and DTI)

Death (Wrongful Death or Survival)

• In some instances, survivors of individuals killed in a car wreck may need counseling and medication. If these are related to the death of their loved one, the costs may be compensatory (owed by the wrongful party/defendant).

Paying For Medical Treatment

Many clients are concerned regarding how to afford medical treatment after a car accident or other injury. In our more detailed article on this topic, Andrew examines different forms of payment, including Letters of Protection (LOPs), health insurance payments, and more. As explained in the below video, not treating should never be an option.

South Carolina Personal Injury Attorney

Our belief is that doing what the client's treating physician says is the most important thing. Our firm never tells a client to treat or who to treat with.

If you're stuck in a situation where someone injured you, and you don't know where to turn or how to get the proper care, feel free to call or email Andrew. We do this for a living and are happy to help members of the community, from Spartanburg, to Lexington, to Orangeburg, to Myrtle Beach. We are based in Columbia but will travel when necessary for our people. We are available for free and confidential consultations.