Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog
After a car accident, it’s important to seek medical attention. Even if you may have been fortunate enough to walk away from a traffic collision with no injuries, the only way to know for sure is by getting a medical evaluation. A doctor can determine whether you have sustained injuries, can document your injuries, and can start treatment so you have the best possible chance of healing.
What Is an MRI?
During a medical evaluation after a traffic crash, doctors use many tools to evaluate your condition. One common test you may be asked to take is an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). For this test, you may be placed in a tube while technicians take images of parts of your body.
An MRI uses radio waves and a magnetic field to generate detailed, 3D images of tissues, the skeletal system, and organs. This non-invasive test allows doctors to diagnose a range of conditions and injuries.
MRIs After a Car Accident
After a traffic collision, it’s very common for doctors to recommend MRIs for a few reasons:
- To diagnose tissue injuries. Some injuries, including strains, muscle damage, sprains, whiplash, and other soft tissue injuries may not be obvious after a car accident. Some patients may not even have symptoms right away. An MRI can show doctors whether this type of injury has occurred, so they can begin treatment if needed.
- To diagnose head injuries. Head injuries are another type of injury common in traffic accidents—and an injury which may not always show symptoms. MRIs can help doctors find injuries to the brain, skull, and spinal cord. In fact, by helping doctors diagnose these injuries quickly, MRIs can help save patient lives.
- To diagnose internal injuries. Car accidents can result in serious internal injuries, including herniated discs and organ damage. Often, the extent and exact location of such injuries is difficult to determine. With an MRI, doctors can properly evaluate such injuries and decide whether emergency surgery or other treatments are needed.
- To create a treatment plan. An MRI can show how severe injuries are and where they are. This level of detail can help healthcare professionals diagnose the patient and create an effective treatment plan.
- To follow up. Once treatment for an injury has started, MRIs can help doctors evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment and monitor healing. Regular MRIs can help doctors determine if any updates to treatment are needed.
What You Need to Know About MRIs
MRIs are just one of the common tools medical professionals use to help those who have been injured in a car accident. Doctors may also recommend surgery, x-rays, blood tests, and other diagnostic tools to get a full picture of a patient’s status.
One thing to keep in mind, too, is that MRIs can be expensive. A patient without health insurance can pay thousands of dollars for an MRI in South Florida. Even someone with insurance can pay hundreds of dollars or over a thousand dollars, depending on their coverage. Keep in mind, too, that multiple MRIs as well as additional tests and treatment may be needed, which can increase medical costs.
For this reason, if you have been injured in a car accident, you may want to explore your options for securing compensation for your injuries, including any lost wages, property damage, and medical bills. You may have a claim if your injuries were caused by someone’s negligence or you may be able to seek compensation through an insurance policy.
To find out more, reach out to the Flaxman Law Group by calling 866-352-9626 to speak with a real person available 24/7. Arrange a no-cost, no-commitment consultation with a car accident attorney. With 60+ years of experience and $100 million in client recoveries, we’re here to help.