Should I Get a Second Opinion After a Car Accident Injury in New Hampshire?

Medical treatment is important after a car accident in New Hampshire, even if you believe that your injuries are relatively minor. Only a medical professional can fully assess your injuries. But what happens if you feel the medical treatment you receive isn’t reliable, or you want a second opinion before undergoing a big surgery? This is a common experience among car accident victims, and it may require you to get a second opinion from a different doctor. Is this really worth it?

Medical Diagnostic Errors Are Common After Car Accidents

You should know that medical diagnostic errors can happen after a car accident victims. In other words, your doctors might not diagnose you properly after you arrive at an emergency room, such as missing a diagnosis of a fracture. Even if you get an X-ray, a radiologist could miss the broken bone and give you the all clear. A hairline fracture might also be extremely difficult to spot, and you might not even realize that you have broken a bone.

Another misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis can involve traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). You might arrive at the emergency room with a slight knock to the head. These injuries can cause memory loss, so you might forget that you hit your head when speaking with a doctor – particularly if you have other injuries that are particularly pressing and feel more urgent. The doctor may then check out your other injuries without even considering the possibility of a head injury.

This type of missed diagnosis can be especially dangerous because of the potential for intracranial hemorrhaging (brain bleeding). This issue can be fatal, especially if not treated immediately. Make sure you call your doctor if you are having headaches, dizziness, or other head injury symptoms.

See Another Doctor if You’re Not Sure About Your Injuries

If you believe that your injuries were not properly diagnosed, or you wonder about the correct treatment to get, you should get a second opinion. Putting the legal details aside, it also makes sense to get a second opinion from a purely medical standpoint. It always makes sense to prioritize your health, and a second opinion ensures you get the treatment you need.

Can an Auto Accident Attorney in New Hampshire Help Me Access Medical Treatment?

An auto accident claim in New Hampshire could help you access the medical treatment you need and deserve. By working with an experienced lawyer, you could increase your chances of receiving compensation. You can use this compensation to pay for your medical treatment, lost income, and other damages. That said, effective medical treatment is necessary before you file a claim. To learn more about the next steps, contact the Manchester car accident lawyers at Manning Zimmerman & Oliveira PLLC.

Sources: 

qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/33/2/109

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK338594/