According to NHTSA, around 9,560 people died in motor vehicle crashes in Q1 of 2022. When you’re involved in a truck accident, knowing what to do is important. One of the first steps is filing a police report, but you also need to take other actions.
For example, you may want to file an insurance claim for your injuries or vehicle damage. It means gathering all your medical records and sending them to your insurance company. Here are the top important medical records you may need in a truck accident:
Names of Any Doctors and Physicians You Have Seen After The Accident
Keeping a record of all doctors and physicians you have seen after a truck accident is important. It will help you and your lawyer get the care you need and help them determine whether or not any medical bills are legitimate. If you met with an accident in St. Louis, it would be best to hire a St. Louis truck accident lawyer as they know all local regulations, but they will need access to data like doctors and physicians you saw after the accident.
The information should include the names and addresses of all doctors and physicians that treated you after the truck accident, along with their phone numbers so You can contact them easily. Additionally, if a specialist treated you for injuries related to this incident, be sure to include that information in this list as well (i.e., “Dr. Smith: orthopedic surgeon”).
Prescription and Non-Prescription Medication You Are Taking
It is an important one. You may not realize it, but your medications can affect how much pain you feel and how quickly your body heals after an accident. The last thing you want is a doctor telling you that they can’t help because they don’t know what types of medications you are on.
You should list all medications, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements (vitamins). The more information that is provided, the better. Dosage amounts, frequency of use, and how long you have been taking them to side effects or problems that have occurred while taking them.
Names and Addresses of Your Family Doctors and Physician
You should also include the names and addresses of your family doctors. If you have been sick, your family doctor is likely the best source of information about your health. Your attorney may need this information to show that you were in a good state of mind before the accident and that you are not acting out of malice or greed.
In addition, if your family doctor has prescribed medication for any medical conditions—even minor ones such as allergies or headaches—their knowledge about what drugs were being taken could be helpful to both you and your attorney.
Health Insurance Information
Another important medical record you should keep in your car is health insurance information. If you are ever involved in a truck accident, your treatment and recovery may require extensive care and multiple hospital or doctor’s visits. Health care providers will likely ask for proof of your insurance before providing services. To avoid being held responsible for these costs, you must have all your health insurance information to fill out any forms required by medical personnel.
If you do not have health insurance, other options may be available to help pay for the treatment costs associated with injuries sustained during a truck accident. Occasionally, charity organizations may provide free or discounted medical treatment through volunteer doctors’ groups or community clinics run by churches and nonprofits like the American Red Cross or Salvation Army.
Medical History
When you are involved in a car wreck, it’s important to have your medical history available. It includes high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, or other illnesses, as well as if you have had any serious injuries in the past, any allergies, any surgeries, and what medications you are currently taking.
If you don’t know whether or not someone has a preexisting condition (a condition they were born with), ask them if they take medication for anything. If they take medication regularly, ask what it is for and whether or not it could impact their ability to drive safely after an accident.
Bottomline
If you are involved in a truck accident, the most important medical information to have on hand is your medical history. It includes any past illnesses, surgeries, and medications you may be taking. If you are having difficulty breathing or other symptoms that may indicate internal bleeding, this also needs to be noted.
The more information you can provide regarding your medical records, the better off your lawyer will be at getting the compensation that you deserve for all of your injuries.
While this article has only touched on a few medical records you may need after an accident, it is important to remember that there are many more. The key takeaway is that you should keep your medical records updated and accessible in case of an accident to be used as evidence during litigation.
