Choosing Your Doctor Following a Car Accident

An interesting lawsuit was filed in Florida federal court this summer. The State Farm insurance company sued Gary Kompothecras, the founder of 1-800-ASK-GARY, an accident-referral service. State Farm alleges that the service commits no-fault insurance fraud by referring people injured in a car accident to medical clinics owned by Kompothecras himself. State Farm is seeking a judgment that it does not have to pay the approximately $9 million in no-fault claims relating to medical services provided by the clinics to the patients referred by 1-800-ASK-GARY. The medical clinics claim the lawsuit is frivolous and an attempt by the large insurance company to avoid paying outstanding claims.

Why Choosing a Doctor is Important After a Car Accident

The choice of physician is always an important decision, regardless of how you were injured or became sick. The competency of your doctor and medical staff is crucial to your prospects for recovery. In a car accident situation, your doctor is also important, because the doctor may be called to testify and demonstrate how your injuries are serious and that they were caused by the accident. Insurance companies, in evaluating bodily injury claims, look at the reputation of your physician and are skeptical of no-fault clinics with multiple medical providers, especially when you were referred to one by someone you didn’t know.

What Should I Look for in a Doctor After Being Injured in an Accident?

There are many types of medical treatment centers that are adept at treating car accident victims and have physicians, chiropractors and physical therapists. It is important to look for the following in choosing a doctor to treat you following a car accident:

• Is the physician licensed in the state of Florida?
• Are you comfortable with the doctor and the staff?
• Is the physician skilled in treating the types of injuries you suffered in the accident?
• Does the physician normally treat others with similar injuries to yours?
• Does the medical practice treat no-fault patients, and is it knowledgeable about no-fault procedures?
• Does the facility offer the convenience of providing chiropractic, physical therapy, neurological consultations and diagnostic testing on-site?
• Is the physician willing to testify in court?

The doctor you treat with is important when you have been injured in a car accident. It is also important to consult with a qualified St. Petersburg car accident attorney.