Advice from Dr. Alok Bhaiji, M.D.
In 2016, nearly 306,000 motor vehicle crashes occurred in Ohio. Unfortunately, car accidents happen all the time, and it can be confusing to know what to do following a crash.
The first thing an individual should do after an accident is “seek medical attention as soon as possible, because you sometimes don’t even know what the injury is,” says Dr. Alok Bhaiji, an internal medicine physician. “Many times people who are involved in a motor vehicle accident usually have so much adrenaline right after that they don’t actually feel anything.” It isn’t until days later that people may feel the full effects of the crash.
Your Next Steps After a Car Crash:
1. See a Medical Professional Immediately After a Car Accident
It’s crucial to see a medical professional immediately after a car accident. If you file a claim for the accident, insurance companies may question how hurt you really were if you didn’t go to the ER or hospital until days or weeks later.
It’s especially important to see a healthcare provider if you notice any mental status changes, headaches, daytime sleepiness, swelling, or bruising. It’s worth having even minor issues evaluated sooner rather than later.
2. Choose a Medical Professional Who Specializes in Personal Injury Treatment
The next decision a person will make after a crash is deciding what medical professional to see for treatment. Go to an emergency room or urgent care for immediate medical help. Then, Dr. Bhaiji recommends contacting his office, because they specialize in personal injury treatment. Each of Dr. Bhaiji’s clinics are M.D. owned and operated, and the staff is comprehensive with physical therapists, chiropractors, nurse practitioners, massage therapists, and case managers. “If someone is injured at work or a car accident, they don’t have to go to numerous providers,” he says. “We have everything under one roof in all of our offices.”
Dr. Bhaiji also advises individuals to be careful of receiving medical treatment from a medical professional who finds your number on a call list and solicits you right after a car accident. “Do your research, do your homework,” he says. “Get the best person for the job.”
3. Who Handles Aspects of Personal Injury Cases After a Car Accident?
At Dr. Bhaiji’s clinics (located in Cleveland and Columbus), they see injuries including whiplash, concussions, back injuries, and even broken bones. When patients come to his offices for personal injury claims, the staff is able to handle most aspects of these cases. They not only create treatment plans, but as the physician of record, they fill out injury reports, handle work restrictions and billing, and deal with attorneys and insurance companies.
After an injury, patients may need to document the injury and the treatment they’re getting; they may require medications; they may require the help of an attorney. “It’s not simply seeing the doctor and getting treatment,” says Dr. Bhaiji. “The nice thing about us is we do all of those things.” At his offices, patients can see a wide range of medical professionals and receive assistance with their personal injury claim all in one place. This makes the process as easy as possible.
4. Knowing what to Expect in a Treatment Plan
Healthcare providers give each patient a road map in the form of a treatment plan. It includes specific instructions on how often to come in and who to see. Each healthcare professional treating a patient will have team meetings and determine the way to give each individual the best care possible. Several sets of eyes and hands look over each case.
Dr. Bhaiji opened these clinics after he had family members involved in motor vehicle accidents many years ago. He couldn’t find them help quickly after the crashes, and he made it his mission to provide a service dedicated to personal injury and workers compensation.“We want to do it in the interest of the patient, and we make sure we treat them as well as possible,” says Dr. Bhaiji. “It makes me proud to be able to start this business in a city that’s already a mecca for medicine.”
