Should I Go to Urgent Care After Car Accident?

Whether you should go to urgent care after a car accident or visit another facility can also be a question of cost. Urgent care is generally less expensive than the emergency room. However, urgent care typically only provides medical care for non-life-threatening conditions and minor car crash injuries, such as cuts, bruises, or sprains. The cost of urgent care services typically ranges from $75 to $150 per visit, although this can vary.

Emergency rooms, on the other hand, are designed to provide immediate medical attention for severe and life-threatening conditions. The cost of emergency room services is usually much higher than that of urgent care and can be several thousand dollars per visit, depending on:

• The severity of the condition
• The tests and procedures required
• The hospital or facility providing the services

However, your health should always come first, and for many moderate to more severe injuries, the emergency room can be your best choice. Remember that if someone else causes your accident, you could recover compensation for all your medical costs, including those incurred at urgent care or the emergency room.

If another driver or other party caused your accident and injuries, you could have a car accident claim and pursue compensation. Here are some situations that could entitle you to a settlement from the at-fault party or their insurer:

• Speeding, drunk driving, or other negligent driver actions
• Vehicle defects or defective parts
• Deliberately causing harm and car damage, such as road rage
• Defective or poorly designed roads

If you want to find out whether you have a car accident claim and could seek damages, schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer at Morgan & Morgan. We can assess your case, determine your next best steps, and move forward with a claim on your behalf.

Going to urgent care after a car accident can put a dent in your finances, and you may be worried about your medical bills piling up while waiting for a settlement. However, you may have some options to bridge the time until you receive your payout:

Health insurance – If you have private health insurance, use it to cover your medical bills.

Medical Payment Coverage (MedPay) – MedPay is an optional car insurance coverage in some states. The coverage pays for insured drivers’ and passengers’ medical expenses, regardless of who is at fault.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – PIP is mandatory in some no-fault states and covers some medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to the accident.

Negotiate with healthcare providers – If you don’t have other options, try negotiating with healthcare providers to reduce medical bills, defer payment, or set up a payment plan.

Whatever you decide, remember to keep detailed records of all medical bills and expenses related to the accident. Doing so allows you to provide evidence to the insurance company and the court of the total amount owed.

Whether you should go to urgent care after a car accident can also depend on waiting times. Emergency rooms generally have longer wait times due to the nature of the injuries they treat, which include severe conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, and trauma. On the other hand, urgent care centers usually have shorter wait times because they are designed to treat minor to moderate injuries, such as soft tissue injuries, cuts, and infections.

However, wait times can vary depending on the location, time of day, and day of the week. Sometimes, emergency rooms have more capacity and shorter wait times than urgent care centers, and vice versa. In addition, the severity of your condition can also affect how quickly a doctor will see you.

It can be a good idea to call ahead of your visit and inquire about wait times. However, if your condition worsens while waiting, seek immediate medical attention.

Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident on your own, especially if you are severely injured, can feel overwhelming. However, a lawyer at Morgan & Morgan can handle your legal claim, leaving you free to concentrate fully on your recovery. Here are some situations where working with an experienced attorney is strongly recommended:

You Want to Learn About Your Rights and Options

If you are injured in a car accident and unsure of your legal rights, consulting with a car accident lawyer can be essential as you may be entitled to compensation. Morgan & Morgan’s attorneys can help you understand your rights and ensure that you’re not taken advantage of by insurance companies or other parties involved in the accident.  

You Suffer Severe Injuries

Car accidents can cause devastating injuries such as spinal cord damage, brain injuries, broken bones, and others. Such injuries could result in long-term disability, reduced quality of life, and high medical bills. If you are affected, a car accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, and other losses.

The Insurance Company Is Not Playing Nice

Insurance companies are notorious for denying or undervaluing accident victims’ claims. If you have trouble getting what you deserve from an insurer, consider hiring a car accident lawyer. Morgan & Morgan can negotiate with the insurance company, fight for fair compensation, and protect your legal rights.

The Other Party Blames You for the Crash

If the other driver or their insurance company blames you for the accident, you need a car accident lawyer to argue your case. They can investigate the accident and gather evidence to prove your innocence. An attorney can also represent you in negotiations and court proceedings to help you receive the compensation you deserve.

How much compensation you could receive will depend on the severity of your injuries, the extent of your damages, and other factors of your accident. Generally, damages available to car accident victims can include:

• Loss of income
• Medical expenses
• Car damage repair costs
• Pain and anguish
• Emotional distress

You could also be entitled to other or additional compensation, depending on the details of your case.

If you are wondering whether you should go to urgent care after a car accident or seek other types of medical care, Morgan & Morgan could help. We can be here for you in your hour of need, help you get adequate medical treatment, and pursue compensation from the responsible party.

Morgan & Morgan has recovered over $20 billion in damages for injured clients. We could help you, too, rebuild your life after a car crash. You pay nothing until we win and recover compensation. Contact us now for a free case evaluation to identify your next best steps.