5 Tips for Finding a Pain Management Doctor After a Car Accident

Accidents happen, especially in populated places like New York and New Jersey. If you were in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, you might have injured yourself or be experiencing pain after the fact. Ongoing, untreated accident injuries can lead to chronic pain, mobility issues, inability to work, and a lesser quality of life. For this reason, it’s essential to find an auto accident injury doctor in New York and New Jersey as soon as possible after your crash.

1. Avoid Going To Your Primary Care Physician

You already have a rapport with your primary care physician, so you may be tempted to make an appointment with them after an auto accident. However, your PCP is a general medical doctor who focuses more on physicals and ailments. Car accidents cause specialized injuries like whiplash or concussions, which require a specially trained pain management doctor to diagnose them correctly and provide the proper treatment. 

2. Choose Someone Based on the Injury You Have

Consider the type of injury you have when choosing a doctor. If you went to the emergency room after your accident, the ER doctor might have provided you with a referral. If you didn’t, consider whether you feel muscle strain, deal with neck or back pain, or have headaches. Bodily injuries like neck and joint pain require seeing an orthopedic doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. However, if your injury is related to your head, you’ll want to see a neurologist. Specialists typically require a referral from another doctor or from your insurance to be seen.

3. Consider a Trained Accident Doctor

Did you know some doctors are specifically trained to handle injuries sustained from car, truck, or motorcycle accidents? Accident doctors are trained to determine what type of injuries you have and specialize in their areas. For example, if an accident doctor provides care for whiplash but has a concussion, they will refer you to a different accident doctor. Seeing an accident doctor is beneficial even if you aren’t sure if you have an injury. Sometimes, internal injuries don’t appear right away. If you have documentation that you went to the doctor right after the accident, you will be more likely to have what you need for a personal injury claim should an injury present itself in the future. 

4. Read the Doctor’s Reviews

Whether you find your doctor through emergency room referrals or searching the internet, it’s essential to ensure you are working with a reputable person. Google the name of the doctor you’re interested in to find their website. Does it look professional and provide plenty of information? A good doctor will list their license numbers online or provide them when asked, allowing you to verify their authenticity. Read online reviews as well. Naturally, the ones on the website will all be good, but search Google for a broader range of reviews to see how previous patients felt about the care they received.

5. Be Honest With the Doctor You Choose

Even an excellent doctor can’t give you the proper care if you aren’t honest about the situation. If you were in a car accident, be honest about whether you were under the influence of anything, wearing a seatbelt, any pain you felt directly after the accident, and any pain you’ve felt up until the appointment. It is also important to tell the doctor about any old injuries or diagnoses and whether you take medications, including over-the-counter ones. This way, you’ll receive the best care possible, as well as have complete and honest documentation in case you need to file a claim or petition for a personal injury lawsuit.

If you need a car accident pain management doctor in New York or New Jersey, let us help you. Accident Help Zone can connect you with dozens of trained, professional, and friendly doctors in the area, as well as provide answers to your questions about ongoing care, insurance claims, and personal injury lawsuits. Contact us today!