Medical Treatment following a Colorado Motorcycle Accident

Medical Treatment Motorcycle Accident

Written by Jeremy D. Earle, JD

January 23, 2023

ASSESSMENT, TREATMENT, AND FOLLOW-UP

Following a motorcycle accident, where should the injured party go for medical treatment?

In a motorcycle accident resulting in injury, receiving medical treatment might be difficult due to the many obstacles that must be overcome. The kind and availability of medical treatment will be determined in part by the recommendations of the victim’s medical providers, the severity of the victim’s injuries, and the type of motor car and health insurance coverage that has been obtained.

The following are examples of the kind of injuries that may be received as a consequence of a motorcycle accident:

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Musculoskeletal Injuries include

  • Traumatic Brain Injury and Brain Damage;
  • Musculoskeletal Injuries;
  • Fractures;
  • Chest Injuries;
  • Road Rash, Lacerations and Scarring;
  • Facial and Eye Injuries; and
  • Other Personal Injuries.
  • Shoulder, Arm, Wrist, and Hand Injuries;
  • Hip, Leg, Knee, Ankle, and Foot Injuries;
  • Neck and Back Injuries;

Traumatic Brain Injury and Brain Damage are among the most serious types of injuries. In addition, there are a variety of other types of injuries.

When a person is wounded in a motorcycle accident, there is common debate or disagreement over which physicians and medical professionals should be used. Many motorcycle accident victims travel to the emergency department or urgent care facility for the first time to be evaluated and treated for their injuries.

Whatever the reason for going to the emergency department, many accident victims have concerns about where to go for follow-up medical examination and treatment after the original accident. In each given town, there is a range of physicians available to treat a biker who has had an injury.

The following medical practitioners may be called upon to treat a person who has been harmed in an automotive or transportation accident:

Firefighters, paramedics, and ambulance services are available. The motorcycle accident scene is often visited by an ambulance service or fire rescue agency to assess the severity of the personal injuries if they seem to be acute and/or traumatic in character at the time of the accident. A local emergency department or an evacuation to a trauma center for additional examination and treatment may be necessary depending on the severity of the injuries.

The hospital’s emergency room. Patients suffering from personal injuries due to a motorcycle collision may usually be treated at an emergency department in most towns. The demands of badly wounded patients after a motorcycle accident are met in certain towns by a trauma hospital dedicated to motorcycle accidents.

Pediatrician. Whenever a kid is wounded due to a motorcycle accident, the youngster may seek medical attention from his or her primary care physician or pediatrician. A doctor may be able to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of the youngster. On the other hand, a doctor is not normally prepared to give continuing specialist care and assessment for severe injuries sustained by a kid in a motorcycle accident. It is common for pediatricians to suggest that an injured kid consult a specialist if the injuries sustained by the child need more than a couple of office visits.

Orthopedic Surgeon (orthopedist). An individual who suffers a bone fracture due to a motorcycle accident should seek examination and treatment from an orthopedic specialist in their area, if necessary. Besides fractures, orthopedic surgeons may diagnose and treat sprains, strains, ligament injuries, and other musculoskeletal ailments as well as fractures.

Neurologist. If the injured victim has suffered head, back, neck, or other neurological ailments, he or she may need to consult a neurologist for treatment. While a neurologist does not do fracture surgery or fix fractures in and of themselves, he or she does offer treatment and assessment for traumatic injuries to the body and head in general. Neurologists are trained to assess and treat pain related to injuries to the head, neck, back, and extremities.

Neurologists may assist in determining the source or origin of pain in the body and then design a treatment program for the patient that may include therapy, drugs, and injections if required for the patient’s specific condition.

Pain Management is a broad term that includes a variety of different types of pain. Many physicians have pursued extra training in the fields of anesthesia and pain management for many years. Those who practice this specialty are trained in techniques that may be conducted to aid the patient in pain alleviation and the identification of accident-related injuries. Pain treatment is not always necessary in the case of a motorcycle accident victim. This style of therapy may prove to be incredibly useful for accident sufferers who are experiencing problems working or otherwise carrying out their regular activities.

Neurosurgeon. In contrast to neurologists and many other medical practitioners, Neurosurgeons devote their whole practice to the evaluation and treatment of surgical candidates and cases. Neurosurgeons do not treat their patients in a non-surgical way, as is common among medical specialists. It is the responsibility of other medical professionals to give this kind of care. If a patient requires surgery, a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic surgeon would be the most competent medical specialist to treat their motorcycle accident-related injuries in most cases.

A physiatrist is a doctor who specializes in physical and sports medicine. A physiatrist is a medical professional who specializes in the treatment of traumatic and sports-related injuries. Patients should not mistake physiatrists for other medical professionals such as psychologists or psychiatrists who treat emotional and mental difficulties. Depending on the severity of the personal injuries received in the motorcycle accident, therapy and examination by a physiatrist or sports medicine specialist may be beneficial in assisting the injury victim in returning to an active lifestyle. To best treat their patients, physiatrists use several therapeutic techniques tailored to each individual’s needs and injuries. Therapy, medicines, and injections are all options for those seeking treatment from or via a physiatrist.

A physical therapist is someone who helps people move better. A physical therapist may give therapy and assessment to an injured person under the supervision and guidance of a treating physician. The use of therapy may be quite effective in assisting the sufferer through injuries that do not need more difficult and involved treatments such as surgery or injections.

Chiropractor. Many chiropractors offer a wide range of services for people of all ages, including children. For the most part, chiropractors use conservative treatment approaches such as spinal adjustments and physical therapy modalities to care for their patients who have been harmed. While a chiropractor cannot prescribe drugs or conduct surgery, the treatment delivered by or via a chiropractor may be very useful and helpful to individuals who have been involved in a motorcycle accident and have sustained injuries. Neck, back, and musculoskeletal injuries are among the most common. An MRI or other diagnostic examination may reveal spinal disc damage, a ligament injury, or another kind of injury needing the treatment of a specialist. In many cases, the accident victim may be treated by both the specialist and a chiropractor or physical therapist at the same time.

As you can see, there are several factors to consider when choosing a doctor, therapist, or another medical practitioner to assist in treating an accident victim. Selecting medical professionals for treatment after an accident or injury may be a time-consuming and difficult process. It is often beneficial to consult with the family physician, other treating medical professionals, friends, and others familiar with the medical provider’s history, reputation, and expertise before deciding who to see.

In which states do doctors and other medical providers accept medical payment benefits under a motorcycle insurance policy?

Many motorcycle accident injury victims ask themselves this question after being involved in an accident with a motorcycle. After being wounded in a motorcycle accident, the victim may be eligible for compensation under a motorcycle insurance policy or an car insurance policy owned by the victim or a family member who lives in the same state as the victim.

Certain medical providers in a given neighborhood do not accept Med-Pay benefits provided by an insurance policy. Rather than accepting such payments, a greater number of medical providers do not take them than the number of medical providers that do. The names of medical professionals in a given town who accept Med-Pay benefits for a motorcycle accident are not currently available in Colorado, either online or via a motorcycle insurance policy or in any other form of publication.

What is the best way to find out whether a certain medical provider accepts Med-Pay benefits? This is an excellent question as well. There are a variety of approaches you might use to get to this conclusion. You may call the medical provider directly and inquire with the assistant or the office manager about whether insurance benefits are accepted as payment for services rendered. You may also inquire of a buddy who may have been involved in an car accident about where he or she had care and whether or not the medical facility acknowledged the insurance benefits. Alternatively, you may seek the assistance of a Personal Injury Attorney for information and direction on medical professionals in the neighborhood that take Med Pay and who are experienced in treating motorcycle accident victims.

A Colorado Motorcycle Accident Attorney can inform you of the services and medical professionals accessible in the community that will treat a patient who has been injured due to a motorcycle accident. A patient’s motorcycle insurance coverage does not need to be accepted by any specific medical professional for them to treat him or her. Several medical providers have taken a commercial choice to expressly refuse or not accept benefits under the Med Pay policy or to not treat accident victims at all due to this decision.

The fact that this sort of job or medical treatment may end in a lawsuit does not detract from the fact that some medical practitioners consider it beneath them or a burden. Other medical providers that take Med-Pay benefits are more accommodating. They accept this type of payment to understand that the individual needs medical treatment and, in many cases, does not have any other means of payment. Furthermore, some medical professionals are just more at ease handling accident victims than others in their profession.

Immediately Following a Motorcycle Accident, Should the Injured Party Seek Medical Attention from a Primary Care Physician or another Health-Care Provider?

It is frequently necessary to choose follow-up care and treatment after a motorcycle accident when an individual is injured in an accident. The injured victim should seek medical treatment from providers that accept Med Pay as a payment source for accident-related medical care if the individual has access to Med Pay (Medical Payment Coverage) under his or her motorcycle insurance. In comparison to traditional health insurance coverage, Med Pay benefits operate differently. Suppose you have been involved in a motorcycle accident. In that case, the following question is often asked of us as Colorado Motorcycle Accident Attorneys: Should I get further medical attention and treatment from my primary care physician?

The solution to this question is not as straightforward as it seems. The most appropriate method to respond to this question is to explain it in a lawyerly manner — “It depends.” There are several issues that need to be addressed about this situation, including the following:

Does the primary care physician accept payment from Med Pay or my health insurance as a payment source in the event of an accident?

What kind of expertise does the primary care physician have in treating people who have been involved in motorcycle accidents?

If the primary care physician does not have a working understanding of motorcycle insurance claims, the patient may be sent to another physician.

In terms of willingness to provide consultations with personal injury attorneys, testify in deposition or court on behalf of the victim/patient, and provide copies of the patient’s records and billing ledgers to the attorney so that those items can be provided to the insurance companies, does the primary care physician collaborate with personal injury attorneys?

Is it common for a primary care physician to refer out or postpone treatment to other specialists regarding motorcycle accident injuries? If so, what is the protocol?

It is common for a primary care physician to either deny treatment for a motorcycle accident victim or give restricted treatment in this situation. According to Colorado law, there is no obligation that accident victims get initial or follow-up treatment from their primary care physician, nor is it required by their insurance. Under most motorcycle insurance plans, there is no necessity that the primary care physician issues a recommendation to visit a specialist, such as a neurologist, orthopedist, or pain management doctor. In other words, a motorcycle accident victim does not have to “jump over hurdles” by obtaining a reference from a primary care physician or another doctor to schedule an appointment with a specialist who takes Med Pay payments.

Is there a list of doctors that specialize in treating victims of motorcycle accidents?

According to the National Motorcycle Accident Compensation Program, the victim of a motorcycle accident will almost always need further medical attention after being taken to a local emergency facility. Individuals injured may seek medical attention and have it covered by private health insurance and/or Medical Payment (Med Pay). If your motorcycle insurance policy includes Med Pay coverage, this form of coverage is normally considered primary to your health insurance coverage unless otherwise specified. A person is advised to seek or acquire medical care and treatment from a doctor or medical provider who takes Med Pay insurance as a form of payment to avoid incurring financial hardship.

The majority of health insurance firms provide an online directory of medical providers that accept their company’s insurance coverage. Companies such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield, CIGNA, United Health, and AETNA maintain databases of physicians that plan clients may use to choose a medical practitioner that meets their needs. The medical providers that accept Med Pay insurance as a payment source are not included or arranged in any list, in contrast to many health insurance firms that do have such a list in their possession. However, although several big insurance companies, including State Farm, Allstate, GEICO, and Progressive, provide motorcycle insurance plans, there is no such list that includes medical providers that take motorcycle insurance as a payment method.

Some medical providers accept Med Pay as a payment source for a motorcycle accident injury; however other medical providers do not accept Med Pay as a payment source. The importance of receiving great medical treatment from a treating physician/medical provider who takes Med Pay as a payment source after an accident cannot be overstated. Also vital is that the medical provider is aware of and understands the difficulties and requirements that the injury victim has in terms of meticulous documenting his or her motorcycle accident- related injuries in the medical reports or records. This is done to provide a solid evidentiary foundation for proving that the underlying collision caused the injuries.

In the absence of any fire rescue evaluation or emergency room visit, is it possible to pursue a case on behalf of an injured victim in court?

In the aftermath of a motorcycle collision, many injured victims are treated by paramedics on the scene and/or examined in a hospital emergency department right away. In other cases, there may be a wait of several days before seeking medical assistance for injuries sustained due to the accident. If you are involved in a motorcycle accident in Colorado, we are often asked the following question:

Is it still possible to bring a lawsuit or file a claim on behalf of an injured party if medical care is delayed after an accident that results in injuries?

“Yes,” is the straightforward response to this inquiry. If no medical attention is offered at the accident site or in the emergency department, the case might still be prosecuted. While it is sensible from both a medical and a legal standpoint for an injured person to seek medical attention as soon as possible, there is no requirement in Colorado that an injured person be seen by a doctor, clinic, paramedic, or emergency room to be able to pursue a case or compensation claim. In addition to monetary compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, and any related losses resulting from the motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to further compensation.

Damage victims and/or their families should seek guidance from a Colorado Motorcycle Accident Attorney for consultation and legal representation due to the intricacies of injury claims, legislation, and discussions concerning injury cases. Colorado Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Whether or whether a case may still be pursued on behalf of an injury victim if the police officer is informed that there were no injuries due to the Colorado motorcycle accident is a question that has to be answered.

In the vast majority of motorcycle accident cases, the local sheriff’s office, police department, and/or highway patrol are sent to the site of the crash. The responding officer will inspect the collision site and gather statements from the drivers and any other witnesses present. An example of a question that a police officer may ask is: Were you harmed or hurt as a consequence of the accident?

Do those who say “no” and refuse any treatment, assistance, or assessment from fire rescue or a local emergency hospital forfeit their legal rights to file a claim for bodily harm against such organizations or individuals? “No,” is the straightforward response to this inquiry. There are certain instances when a person who has been engaged in a catastrophic motorcycle accident may not immediately comprehend or appreciate the extent of the damage that he or she has suffered. Furthermore, in many necks, back, and extremities injuries, the signs and symptoms associated with such injuries do not manifest themselves until a significant amount of time after the motorcycle accident has taken place. The indications and symptoms may manifest themselves that night or the next morning.

When a person becomes aware of or begins to experience the symptoms of personal injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident, they should seek immediate medical attention from an emergency room, urgent care facility, or another medical practitioner. If a claim does not prompt medical attention, insurance companies will question or extensively examine the claim. Numerous claims and cases are resolved or result in a big jury judgment even when the individual involved in the accident does not immediately complain of pain at the accident site.

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