Medical Documentation You Need After a Car Accident in Pottsville, PA
Each year, approximately 5.1 million people receive medical care for injuries sustained in motor vehicle crashes. Successful recovery depends on more than just establishing the other party’s liability but also demonstrating the extent of your losses. In a car accident case, most damages will be based on diagnostic testing, doctors’ notes, emergency room records, medication records, and itemized bills. At Fanelli, Evans, & Patel, our car accident lawyers discuss the importance of medical documentation in Pottsville, PA, and how a personal injury lawyer can be of help.
Diagnostic Testing
Medical Imaging: Medical imaging encompasses X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, and echocardiograms. Imaging can provide better insight into the extent of your injuries and strengthen your claim. A summary of which follows:
- An X-ray uses electromagnetic radiation similar to radio waves to determine the severity and location of a fracture.
- A CT scan combines X-rays with computer processing to diagnose tumors, infections, blood clots, and fractures.
- An MRI, which stands for magnetic resonance imaging, uses a magnetic field combined with radio waves to diagnose traumatic brain injuries, soft tissue injuries, and other internal injuries.
- An ultrasound is a non-invasive type of test that uses high-frequency sound waves to detect internal bleeding, blood clots, and soft tissue injuries.
- An echocardiogram is a type of non-invasive ultrasound test that takes moving pictures of the heart to check on how efficiently blood flows through the heart’s chambers, valves, and vessels.
Laboratory Tests: Laboratory tests can measure specific biomarkers that indicate if brain damage occurred. These tests can also measure elevated enzyme levels in the blood or urine, indicating damage to the kidneys, liver, or heart.
Biopsy: A procedure that collects a small sample of tissue, cells, or fluid, which is examined under a microscope by a pathologist to determine whether a disease is present. Any of these diagnostic tests, along with medical imaging, can help to prevent the progression of a condition and to avoid further complications.
Doctor’s Notes: As part of any medical evaluation, a physician will detail their assessment of your condition, including their observations, your treatment plan, prognosis, and follow-up recommendations. Under 49 Pa.C.S. §16.95, a doctor’s notes must be accurate, legible, and reflect the patient’s evaluation and treatment. In accordance with state law, a physician must retain a patient’s medical record for at least seven years from the date of the last medical service.
Emergency Room Records: An ER physician must promptly evaluate, diagnose, treat, and discharge a patient. ER doctors may treat two to three patients per hour. If you visited the ER after your car accident, an ER record is essential for determining your initial condition. The record will document the patient’s arrival (via ambulance or walk-in), the chief complaint at admission, physical examination findings, vital signs, diagnostic tests, diagnosis, treatment, and discharge instructions.
Medication Records: Medication records will show what medications your provider prescribed while you were physically recovering from your accident. You will also want to have a list of your prescriptions before your accident to show that you were not on any medications that would have interfered with your driving abilities. Each listed medication should include the drug name, prescribed dose, prescribing date, and the prescribing health care provider’s name.
Itemized Medical Bills: Especially if you suffered severe injuries, you likely have seen various providers. Each provider will issue an itemized bill detailing your treatment and the cost of each service. You must collect every one of your medical bills, since they contain CPT codes and diagnosis codes, which are essential to having your insurance claim approved. Additionally, these bills will show the extent of financial damages you have incurred from the crash.
Assistance from Experienced Counsel
Gathering medical documentation is a tedious process and a task that you may not be up for, given the trauma that you have been through. Thankfully, a Pottsville car accident attorney will know what medical documentation is necessary to demonstrate the severity of your injuries. Even better, a car accident attorney can help you gather any medical documentation to help move your claim forward. There is no shame in needing help, and our legal team is ready to help you every step of the way.
Reach Out to Our Pottsville Car Accident Attorneys Today
A car accident can cause debilitating injuries, leaving you unable to work, all while being saddled with thousands of dollars in medical bills. At Fanelli, Evans, & Patel, we understand the financial anxiety that accompanies a crash, even as you are recovering physically.
That is why our legal team is devoted to helping individuals recover the maximum compensation they are entitled to, allowing them to meet their needs. If you have recently been involved in a crash, feel free to contact our Pottsville car accident lawyers today. To schedule your free consultation, contact us online or call (570) 622-2455.