Detailed Answer
When you ride as a passenger and suffer injuries in a vehicle collision, maintaining continuity of care helps protect your injury claim. Continuity of care means keeping a clear, unbroken medical treatment record from your initial evaluation through your final recovery milestones. This record demonstrates the extent and cause of your injuries, making it harder for insurers or defense attorneys to argue gaps in treatment or unrelated conditions caused your symptoms.
1. Seek Prompt Medical Evaluation
After the crash, go to an emergency department or urgent care immediately—even if your injuries seem minor. An early evaluation creates a baseline for your injury claim. Emergency and urgent‐care notes document your symptoms, tests (X-rays, CT scans), and recommended follow-up care.
2. Follow Prescribed Treatment Plans
If a doctor prescribes physical therapy, medication, or specialist referrals, follow those orders closely. Skipping appointments or delaying recommended care allows insurers to claim you weren’t seriously injured or were non-compliant. Ask for a written treatment plan and bring it to each visit.
3. Consolidate Your Providers
Stay with a primary treating physician or clinic when possible. Switching providers without medical necessity can create gaps in your records. If you need specialist care (orthopedics, neurology, chiropractic), ask your primary doctor for a referral and ensure each specialist communicates findings back to your main provider.
4. Obtain and Organize Medical Records
Request complete copies of your medical records—imaging reports, progress notes, billing statements—after each appointment. Keep them in chronological order in a folder or secure digital file. This packet becomes vital evidence if you file a claim or lawsuit.
5. Monitor Your Symptoms and Treatments
Maintain a symptom diary. Log pain levels, mobility challenges, medication effects, and how treatment helps. Date each entry. This contemporaneous record supports your account and aligns with medical notes.
6. Communicate with Insurers and Lawyers
Notify the at‐fault driver’s insurer promptly, as required by your policy. Provide medical releases only after speaking with a personal injury attorney or when required. Avoid discussing fault or settlement offers without legal advice.
7. Understand North Dakota Deadlines
North Dakota law limits most personal injury claims to three years from the accident date (N.D. Cent. Code § 28-01-16). Filing after this deadline generally bars recovery. Early treatment helps you determine if long-term care is needed before the statute of limitations expires.
8. Preserve Evidence Later
Keep any imaging discs (MRIs, CT scans) and x-ray films. If providers discard old films, request digital copies. Secure photos of injuries over time. These materials tie your treatment history to the accident.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified North Dakota attorney to discuss your situation.
Helpful Hints
- Use a single medical record release form when dealing with multiple providers.
- Bring a trusted friend or family member to appointments to take notes.
- Keep copies of all bills and insurance explanations of benefits (EOBs).
- Notify your health insurer of the collision—some plans cover initial costs and seek reimbursement from the at-fault insurer.
- Ask your doctor to explain any unexplained gaps in treatment in writing.