When you get behind the wheel of a car, you probably put safety at the top of your priority list. Even though you focus on your safety, not everyone is the same. Therefore, you might still be involved in a motor vehicle accident. Even a relatively minor motor vehicle accident can lead to significant injuries.
Therefore, you need to see a healthcare professional as quickly as possible. Then, you need to be prepared with questions. There’s no such thing as a dumb question, and your doctor expects you to have a lot of concerns. Make sure you ask all of your own questions but do not overlook these important questions below.
1. What Is My Prognosis?
Of course, one of the first things you should do is ask about your prognosis. Does the doctor think that you will make a full recovery following your injuries? Does the doctor think that you will need to go to a specialist for more specific care? Does the doctor think you will resume your daily routine quickly? Of course, the doctor may have to run some tests before he or she can answer this question, but you should still feel free to ask it when you arrive.
2. Are There Other Issues That Might Develop?
You may think that your injuries will stop getting worse as soon as you see a doctor. Even though that would be nice, there could be other problems that lurk underneath the surface. Following a motor vehicle accident, your body is going to be flooded by a lot of adrenaline. This adrenaline can mask a lot of issues that aren’t immediately visible. You should ask the doctor if you should expect new symptoms to arise once the adrenaline fades. This could also clue the doctor to take a look at other issues that might not yet have risen to the surface.
3. What Are My Treatment Options?
You are in control of your health. You are responsible for making decisions. It is the job of the doctor to clearly explain all of your options. The doctor should explain the benefits and drawbacks of each choice to you. For example, the doctor may recommend taking prescription medication, but this might not always be necessary. The doctor may also recommend surgery, but there are some risks that come with a surgical procedure. You should also visit a chiropractor to learn about other treatment options. Make sure you assess each treatment option in front of you before you decide which one is right for your needs.
4. Do I Need To Have Help at Home?
Eventually, you will return home. You need to make sure you can navigate your house safely. Therefore, you should ask the doctor if you should ask someone to help you at home. You may have a family member who can come over from time to time to help you. Or, you may have a friend nearby who can help out. You might need someone to help you shop for groceries. You might also need someone who can help you cook meals at home. If you can’t navigate the stairs, you may need someone to help you with certain tasks. If you need help at home, the doctor should inform you of that.
5. What Can I Do? What Should I Avoid?
You should also ask your doctor about boundaries. What should you do at home? What should you avoid? For example, if you have suffered a serious back injury, then the doctor may recommend that you avoid lifting items that are above a certain weight. If you have suffered a head injury, then the doctor may recommend that you avoid driving a motor vehicle until your injuries have healed. The doctor might also recommend that you perform stretches at home, but also recommend that you avoid strenuous exercise for a while.
6. What Caused My Injuries?
You need to talk to the doctor about what caused your injuries. The doctor will probably ask you how the accident happened. Where were you sitting in the car? Where did the other vehicle strike you? How fast were you going? Then, the doctor should explain what caused your injuries. Did it come from a blunt injury to the head or neck? Did you suffer a penetrating injury due to glass or shrapnel? You need to collect this information. You may need it for insurance purposes down the road.
7. Will I Experience Long-Term Disabilities?
Do not hesitate to ask the doctor if you will experience long-term complications. The earlier you see a doctor, the greater your chances of making a full recovery; however, there might be situations where you could still end up with residual complications. For example, you might struggle to regain the full range of motion of your arms or legs. Or, you may suffer from chronic headaches. There are even injuries that can lead to chronic pain. If you want to avoid long-term complications, you should try to complete the recovery process by working with a chiropractor. A chiropractor can develop a treatment plan that can help you make a full recovery.
8. Can I Return To School or Work?
Finally, you should also ask the doctor when you can return to work or school. If you have a job, you probably want to return to work as quickly as possible so you can put food on the table and pay your bills. If you go to school, you probably want to return to the classroom so you can avoid falling behind. You may not be able to return to work or school immediately after a motor vehicle accident; however, the doctor should still be able to give you a timetable, so you can plan accordingly.
Count on Doctor Wagner To Help You
These are a few of the most important questions you should ask your doctor following a motor vehicle accident. Of course, you should also have plenty of other questions that are not on this list, but you need to make sure you ask these questions at your next appointment. If you are looking for a doctor who will take the time to answer your questions, you could work with Doctor Wagner.
We are proud to provide you with access to a chiropractor in the Daytona Beach area, and it would be our pleasure to assist you following a motor vehicle accident. We understand that being involved in a car accident can be stressful, and we are always here to help you. Contact us today to make an appointment.