Tips for Working with Medical Professionals After an Accident

James

Hey everyone, welcome back to The Brief! I’m James, here with Emily, and today we’re digging into something that doesn’t get nearly enough attention after an accident: how you should talk to your doctor or medical team. Honestly, it's more important for your claim than you may think.

Emily

Yeah, this is one of those things we see accident victims just don’t realize in the moment. You’re juggling doctor visits, maybe missing work, balancing regular life, and if you’re like most people, there are a lot of things you just assume these medical professionals know.

James

Exactly. And listen, insurance companies—well, they’re counting on you to fall into this common trap. There’s a stat I read from the 2024 Experian Health ‘State of Claims’ report that shows 46 percent of denied claims were because of incomplete or inaccurate medical records. That’s almost half, just because of things missing from your records!

Emily

And that’s something most people just don’t see coming until it's too late. For example, a single missed appointment can be all that's needed for the insurance company. They can claim a victim's pain had resolved just because they missed a follow-up. In this example all an adjuster needs to do is point at the gap and say, ‘Well, looks like things got better fast.’

James

Incomplete or vague doctor notes are a blinking ‘please deny my claim’ sign for insurers. If the record doesn’t say exactly what you’re feeling or if the story doesn’t line up start to finish, adjusters will pounce. So much of this, as we discussed in our “After the Crash” episode, is about controlling the facts that get written down as thorough and as soon as possible.

Emily

And look, this isn’t about sounding ‘legal’ or rehearsed. It’s about being as honest and as detailed as you can every single time you talk to your provider. I promise, the more thorough those records, the less wiggle room there is for an insurance company to shortchange you.

James

They are scrutinizing everything to look for patterns and inconsistencies. With 73 percent of providers reporting increased claim denials, every missing detail or vague description becomes a reason to delay or deny your case.

James

So, let’s get into the how, right? What are the concrete steps you can take to protect your claim when you’re face-to-face with your doctor or a medical professional? We’ve actually narrowed this down to five—kinda like our “accident aftermath” checklist from last time.

Emily

Alright, step one: Be detailed—painfully detailed even—and don’t stress if you feel like you’re repeating yourself, stating the obvious, or taking up too much of your doctor's time. Here's a hypothetical: Say, ‘I get a sharp pain in my lower back every time I stand for more than fifteen minutes. It keeps me from picking up my toddler or working a complete shift.’ That beats just saying, ‘my back hurts.’ With enough details, the injury is connected directly to the accident, not just floating out there.

James

Step two: Don’t downplay your symptoms—seriously. I know folks want to tough it out, but the National Institutes of Health found that over half of soft tissue and neurological injuries are missed in early evaluations because people just didn’t spell it out. Being modest can actually set you back in both your care and your claim.

Emily

Step three: If you’ve had injuries before, own that history. Just make the difference clear. For instance, maybe your back used to ache after yard work, but now since the accident, it’s a sharp pain running down your leg. You should get specific just like that. And—tell your lawyer about every provider or professional you’re seeing, not just the main doctor. Nobody likes surprises, least of all when there are medical records involved.

James

Step four’s a big one, and I think people overlook it. Talk about how your injury affects your daily life. Doctors will chart the swelling, range of motion, all that. But it’s on you to say, ‘I’m not sleeping through the night,’ or, ‘I can’t pick up my kids,’ or, ‘I’m struggling at work.’ Juries, adjusters—they care about those daily realities.

Emily

And step five, which I always push: Keep a symptom journal. Write down your pain levels, what makes it better or worse, all the details, every day. Then take it to all your appointments. It not only jogs your memory, but it helps your provider make connections—and your consistency? That’s gold for your case.

James

And even though it’s not technically in the ‘top five,’ here’s my soapbox—don’t skip appointments, don’t reschedule unless it’s absolutely necessary, and if you do, tell your provider exactly why. Those gaps, even if innocent, can later be twisted to say your injuries magically disappeared or should be taken less seriously.

Emily

Honestly, the biggest pitfall we see is folks skipping or spacing out on appointments, even if it’s for a good reason. Insurers are just waiting to argue you weren’t really hurt if you don’t stick with your care. Like, they’ll say, ‘This can be closed out. The injury must’ve healed up.’ And that can mess with both your health and your case.

James

Yeah, and it’s not just the physical stuff to report, either. We always tell clients: Discuss any anxiety, sleep trouble, brain fog—whatever’s going on. No matter how trivial or difficult to explain. These emotional or mental health symptoms are just as important as a limp or bruised rib. They help complete your story, you know?

Emily

Right. Here's why it's effective to keep a journal. Let's say there's a hypothetical client—she kept a simple, handwritten symptom journal, just little notes about what she struggled with each day. When her notes showed this pattern of pain and sleeplessness that nobody else had quite pieced together, it was a total game-changer for her doctor’s treatment plan–and for her legal claim. That type of detail can tip the scales in your favor.

James

So, as we wrap, remember: your medical records are the backbone of your claim. The clearer and more consistent you are, the stronger your case. Bring a symptom journal, tell your providers every single detail, and make all your appointments—even if it’s inconvenient. And if you’re feeling lost on what to do next, reach out. We literally help folks with this every day.

James

And don’t forget, the Personal Injury team at Bannister, Wyatt and Stalvey works on a contingency basis, so there’s no cost to you unless we recover money on your behalf.

Emily

That's the team that's going to explain to you how even small things can make a big difference in your case. The more your records reflect your whole experience, the easier it is to fight for the compensation you deserve. If you’re sitting there going, ‘Did I cover everything?’ or ‘What am I supposed to tell my doctor at my next visit?’—use our checklist, ask questions, and we’ll walk through it with you. No pressure, just real answers. Thanks so much for tuning in. James, always a pleasure.

James

Thanks, Emily. And thanks to all of you for listening to The Brief. We’ll be back soon with more ways to protect your rights and move forward after an accident.

Emily

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James

Take care, everyone!