A truck accident can leave victims seriously injured and permanently disabled. If you’ve been hurt in an accident involving a large truck, your injuries may require extensive treatment by a team of doctors, each with different specialties, to help you recover. The lineup of medical professionals will likely start with an emergency room doctor. 

Emergency Room Doctors

Immediately after an accident, you’ll report to an emergency room doctor. If you are unable to leave the accident scene on your own, an ambulance will take you to the nearest emergency room. 

Emergency room doctors handle your immediate triage to determine if you have:

  • Broken bones
  • Excessive bleeding
  • Burns or injuries that require debridement
  • Severe cuts and lacerations
  • Skull injuries (concussions, punctures, etc.)

An emergency room doctor takes care of life-threatening injuries. If you do not have life-threatening injuries, they will likely order tests and scans to determine where you will go next – to a surgeon, for instance, if you have internal bleeding, or a physical therapist if you have a sprain or strain. 

Surgeons

Some injuries require surgical intervention. Depending on your injuries, you may need the expertise of multiple surgeons.

  • Trauma surgeons. Trauma surgeons work to surgically repair life-threatening injuries. They perform surgery that helps stabilize a patient who has undergone a severe accident. 
  • Orthopedic surgeons. Orthopedic surgeons take care of injured bones, tendons, and ligaments. Although a trauma surgeon may set a fractured bone or amputate a damaged appendage, an orthopedic surgeon may be required to fix additional issues a person has with long-term recovery. 
  • Neurosurgeon. If you sustain head and/or spinal cord damage, a neurosurgeon may be called in to operate.
  • General surgeon. General surgeons perform operations like hernia repairs, or skin and soft tissue repair. Typically, these are conditions that aren’t life-threatening, and could be scheduled out for a alter date if needed. 

Radiologists

Even if you are fortunate enough to walk away from a truck accident, you’ll need pictures of your organs and bones to make sure that the inside of your body is not injured. Radiologists use diagnostic machines to collect images of your body via X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. These are critical pieces of evidence that you will likely need for your case, especially if your injuries aren’t noticeable. Furthermore, since the evidence of most physical trauma fades over time, these scans and images can help show a jury how severe your injuries were when you first sustained them. 

Neurologist

A neurologist diagnoses and treats problems with the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system. Some of your injuries may need the help of a neurologist months after you had your accident. Nerve pain may not develop until several days or weeks after your accident. Likewise, a neurologist can help if you develop symptoms like headaches, seizures, or sleep disorders. 

Physical Therapist

Physical therapists help people with certain types of musculoskeletal injuries recover and regain use of their bodies. For instance, physical therapy may be required if you have surgery on your leg and need to learn how to walk again. 

Physical therapy can be useful in helping you both short-term and long-term, depending on your injuries and your ability to recover from them. 

Your Primary Care Physician

Although your primary care physician (PCP) may not be the first stop on your list of providers, you will need to visit your PCP eventually and inform them of your accident, injuries, surgeries, medications, and therapies. They’ll need this information as they continue to treat you for your minor illnesses and injuries, and as the doctor who is responsible for your medical history. 

If, throughout the course of your recovery, you need an additional doctor or specialist, your PCP is an excellent choice for obtaining referrals. 

Other Doctors and Medical Specialists You May Need to See

Depending on your injury, there are other providers with whom you’ll need to consult and receive care. These may include, but are not limited to: 

  • Chiropractor. Chiropractic care may be necessary for spinal and appendage pain, head, and neck injuries.
  • Occupational Therapist. An occupational therapist helps you reacclimate to work and home life, ensuring that you are still able to care for yourself and work (if possible) with accommodations that make it easier for you to do so. 
  • Speech Therapist. Some brain injuries may impact your ability to speak properly. A speech therapist may be useful for helping you remember how to form words and communicate with others. 
  • Psychologist, Psychiatrist, or Counselor. A truck accident can be a life-altering event that is traumatic and terrifying. If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other overwhelming feelings, seeing a mental health professional is a necessary part of your recovery. 
  • Plastic Surgeon. Some accidents leave victims with scars or disfiguring injuries. Plastic surgeons can help lesson the disfigurement and give you more confidence about the way you look. 

If you have an issue that stems from your accident and you aren’t sure what kind of doctor you need to see, give your primary care physician a call and ask for a referral or recommendation. 

What to Do If the Insurance Company Demands That You See a Doctor of Their Choosing

An insurance company may want you to visit a doctor they choose, even if you feel you need another doctor. First, know your rights. Generally, you can visit any doctor you choose, but some insurers will want you to have an independent medical exam, known as an IME, to validate your claim. The IME doctor may be a doctor they choose. 

If you feel you are being forced to see a doctor who is not giving you the care you need because the insurance company is requiring you to see them, contacting a truck accident attorney can help. An attorney can review your case and make certain your claim is being handled correctly. 

Making a Claim for Medical Expenses in a Truck Accident

If you are injured in a truck accident, follow these steps to get the care you need and protect your right to collect compensation for your injuries. 

  • Get immediate medical attention. Even if you think you are not injured, get a head-to-toe assessment just to be sure. 
  • File a report. Call the police to the accident scene and have a report filed. 
  • Gather information. In truck accidents, there may be more than one party liable for your injuries. Drivers, owner-operators, and loaders may also play a role. You’ll also want to gather information from any other motorists involved and eyewitnesses who may have seen the accident. 
  • Call an experienced attorney. An attorney can help you properly and timely file a claim for injuries and determine who is liable. Hiring an attorney allows you to recover from injuries while still pursuing a claim for your injuries. 

Truck accidents are often catastrophic due to the sheer weight and force of the truck. The injuries that result can be life-changing. You may need to see multiple doctors on your road to recovery, so talk to your primary doctor about next steps after a crash.