Can I Change Doctors During a Personal Injury Case in Columbia, SC?

If you live in Columbia, South Carolina, and are injured in an accident, you have the right to choose your doctor. However, if you decide to change doctors and you’re pursuing a personal injury case, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

It is important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney before making any decisions about your medical care. An attorney can help you understand your rights and options under the law. Contact the Law Office of Jason E. Taylor today for a free consultation. We will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

What Doctor to See After an Accident in Columbia, SC

If you are injured in an accident, you will likely be seen by a doctor in the emergency room. However, once you are released from the hospital, you will need to find a doctor who can provide you with long-term care. If you do not have a regular doctor, your insurance company may give you a list of their network providers.

If you already have a regular doctor, you may want to stick with them for your injury case. This is because they already know your medical history and can provide continuity of care. However, if you are unhappy with your regular doctor or need specialized treatment, you may consider finding a new doctor.

How Long Do I Have to Go to the Doctor in Columbia?

It is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible after an accident. In South Carolina, you must file a personal injury lawsuit three years from the accident date. However, if you wait too long to see a doctor, the insurance company may argue that your injuries are unrelated to the accident.

How to Find a Doctor After an Accident in Columbia, South Carolina

If you need to switch medical providers after an accident, there are a few ways to go about it. You can ask your insurance company for a list of their network providers. Alternatively, you can search for doctors online or ask your personal injury lawyer. Once you have found a few potential doctors, you can read online reviews or ask for recommendations from friends or family.

You should also:

  • Ensure the doctor is board certified and has experience treating patients with similar injuries.
  • Feel comfortable with the doctor and be able to communicate openly with them.
  • Make sure the doctor is familiar with personal injury cases and knows how to work with insurance companies.

If you have been injured in an accident, we can help you find the right doctor for your case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We will review your case and help you make the best decision for your situation.

How to Talk with Your Doctor After an Accident in Columbia, South Carolina

If you have been in an accident, it is important to be honest with your doctor about your injuries and how the accident happened. Your doctor will use this information to create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Additionally, if you are planning on filing a personal injury claim, this information will be used to support your case.

Be sure to:

  • Tell your doctor about all of your injuries, even if they seem minor.
  • Be honest about how the accident happened and what symptoms you are experiencing. For example, if you were injured in a car accident, tell your doctor how the accident occurred and what parts of your body were injured.
  • Keep track of your symptoms, even if they seem unrelated to the accident. For example, tell your doctor if you are experiencing anxiety or depression after an accident. These symptoms could be related to your injuries and should be treated accordingly.

If you have any questions about your treatment or case, ask your personal injury lawyer. They can help you understand your rights and what you need to do to protect yourself.

What to Bring to Your Doctor’s Appointment After an Accident in Columbia, South Carolina

When you go to the doctor after an accident, it is important to bring all of your relevant medical records. This includes any records from the hospital or other doctors you have seen for your injuries. Make a list of all the medications you are taking, both prescription and over-the-counter. Be sure to include vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies.

Bring any X-rays or MRIs that have been taken and your medical records from before the accident. This will help your doctor get a complete picture of your health. Finally, bring your insurance information so the doctor’s office can submit a claim.

Reasons You May Want Switch Doctors During Your Columbia Personal Injury Claim

There are a few reasons why you might want to switch doctors during your injury claim.

  1. It may be time for a change if you are unhappy with your current doctor or feel they are not meeting your needs.
  2. You may need to see a specialist such as a neurologist, orthopedist, or pain management specialist. If this is the case, your current doctor can provide you with a referral.
  3. You may need to find a new doctor if you have moved since the accident or your current doctor is not conveniently located.
  4. If your current doctor is not in the insurance company’s network, you may want to find a new doctor who is in-network.
  5. Your insurance coverage has changed.

The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with your doctor and that they can provide you with the care and treatment you need.

Switching Doctors Could Impact Your Claim

It is important to note that switching doctors could impact your personal injury claim. For example, if you change doctors before settling your case, the insurance company may argue that your injuries are not as severe as you claim. They may also try to use any gaps in treatment against you. Additionally, if your new doctor follows the same treatment plan as your previous doctor, the insurance company may deem the treatment unnecessary and refuse to pay your medical bills.

Furthermore, if you have already seen a specialist and switched to a new doctor, the specialist may need re-evaluation. This could delay your case and add additional costs. Therefore, speaking with your personal injury lawyer before deciding to switch doctors is important. They can help you understand the potential impact on your case and make sure you are making the best decision for your situation.

Allegations of Doctor Shopping

If you change doctors during your case, the insurance company may accuse you of “doctor shopping.” Doctor shopping occurs when an accident victim disagrees with their original doctor’s diagnosis and seeks a new doctor who will give them the diagnosis they are looking for. For example, if your first doctor says you only have soft tissue injuries, you may go to another doctor hoping to get a more serious diagnosis.

While there is nothing wrong with seeking a second opinion from another doctor, insurance companies often use this as an excuse to deny claims. They may argue that you are not injured or that your injuries are not as severe as you claim. If the insurance company accuses you of doctor shopping, it is important to speak with a personal injury lawyer who can help you defend your claim.

Other Compensation You May Be Eligible For in a Columbia Claim

In addition to medical expenses, you may also be able to recover others, such as lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. If someone else’s negligence caused the accident, you might be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against them. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you understand your legal options and get the compensation you deserve.

Common Personal Injury Claims in Columbia, SC

Car accidents are the most common type of personal injury case in South Carolina. Other common cases include:

  • Slips and falls
  • Dog bites
  • Motorcycle accidents
  • Workplace injuries

Contact a Columbia, South Carolina Personal Injury Attorney for a Free Consultation

If you have been injured in an accident, it is important to speak with a personal injury lawyer who can help you understand your legal options. The lawyers at The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor have helped thousands of accident victims get the compensation they deserve. We offer free consultations, so there is no risk in speaking with us about your case. Call us today to schedule your free consultation. We do not charge any fees unless we win your case.

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Notice of Data Security Event
Updated March 28, 2025

The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor is providing notice of an event that may affect certain individuals’ information. Although we have no indication of identity theft or fraud in relation to this event, we are providing information about the event, our response, and additional measures individuals can take to help protect their information, should they feel it appropriate to do so.

What Happened? On October 28, 2024, The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor identified suspicious activity related to our email system. We quickly took steps to investigate and determined that an unknown actor may have accessed certain emails within our email system between August 7 and November 7, 2024. We then conducted a comprehensive review of the potentially affected emails and attachments to determine what information was contained therein and to whom the information related, which was completed on February 25, 2025. Unfortunately, we were unable to verify the addresses of certain affected individuals, so we are providing this notice to ensure potentially affected individuals receive information about the event.

What Information Was Involved? The information affected may include individuals’ Social Security number, driver’s license and state ID information, financial account number, and health information.

What We Are Doing. We are notifying individuals about this matter and providing guidance about free resources that are available to assist with monitoring relevant accounts, credit reports, and how to place a fraud alert or security freeze on one’s credit file. Further, as with our typical security practices, we will continue to evaluate our policies, procedures, staff training, and technical security measures to reduce the likelihood of an event like this reoccurring.

What Individuals Can Do. We encourage you to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing your account statements and monitoring your free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. We also recommend you review the below “Steps Individuals Can Take To Help Protect Personal Information”.

For More Information. If individuals have questions about this matter, we have a dedicated assistance line with agents ready to answer their questions. Please contact our toll-free dedicated assistance line at 1-800-939-4170, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. through 9 p.m., excluding holidays. You may also write to us at The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, Attn: Compliance, P.O. Box 2688, Hickory, NC 28603.

Sincerely,

The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor

STEPS INDIVIDUALS CAN TAKE TO HELP PROTECT PERSONAL INFORMATION

Monitor Your Accounts

Under U.S. law, a consumer is entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. To order a free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. Consumers may also directly contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below to request a free copy of their credit report.

Consumers have the right to place an initial or extended “fraud alert” on a credit file at no cost. An initial fraud alert is a 1-year alert that is placed on a consumer’s credit file. Upon seeing a fraud alert display on a consumer’s credit file, a business is required to take steps to verify the consumer’s identity before extending new credit. If consumers are the victim of identity theft, they are entitled to an extended fraud alert, which is a fraud alert lasting seven years. Should consumers wish to place a fraud alert, please contact any of the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below.

As an alternative to a fraud alert, consumers have the right to place a “credit freeze” on a credit report, which will prohibit a credit bureau from releasing information in the credit report without the consumer’s express authorization. The credit freeze is designed to prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved in a consumer’s name without consent. However, consumers should be aware that using a credit freeze to take control over who gets access to the personal and financial information in their credit report may delay, interfere with, or prohibit the timely approval of any subsequent request or application they make regarding a new loan, credit, mortgage, or any other account involving the extension of credit. Pursuant to federal law, consumers cannot be charged to place or lift a credit freeze on their credit report. To request a credit freeze, individuals may need to provide some or all of the following information:

1. Full name (including middle initial as well as Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.);
2. Social Security number;
3. Date of birth;
4. Addresses for the prior two to five years;
5. Proof of current address, such as a current utility bill or telephone bill;
6. A legible photocopy of a government-issued identification card (state driver’s license or ID card, etc.); and
7. A copy of either the police report, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft if they are a victim of identity theft.

Should consumers wish to place a credit freeze or fraud alert, please contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below:

Equifax Experian TransUnion
https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/ https://www.experian.com/help/

https://www.transunion.com/credit-help
1-888-298-0045 1-888-397-3742 1-800-916-8800
Equifax Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348-5069 Experian Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016
Equifax Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348-5788 Experian Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094

Additional Information

Consumers may further educate themselves regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and the steps they can take to protect their personal information by contacting the consumer reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission, or their state attorney general. The Federal Trade Commission may be reached at: 600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20580; www.identitytheft.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The Federal Trade Commission also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. Consumers can obtain further information on how to file such a complaint by way of the contact information listed above. Consumers have the right to file a police report if they ever experience identity theft or fraud. Please note that in order to file a report with law enforcement for identity theft, consumers will likely need to provide some proof that they have been a victim. Instances of known or suspected identity theft should also be reported to law enforcement and the relevant state attorney general. This notice has not been delayed by law enforcement.

For District of Columbia residents, the District of Columbia Attorney General may be contacted at: 400 6th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001; 1-202-442-9828; and oag.dc.gov.

For Maryland residents, the Maryland Attorney General may be contacted at: 200 St. Paul Place, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202; 1-410-576-6300 or 1-888-743-0023; and https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/.

For New Mexico residents, consumers have rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, such as the right to be told if information in their credit file has been used against them, the right to know what is in their credit file, the right to ask for their credit score, and the right to dispute incomplete or inaccurate information. Further, pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the consumer reporting bureaus must correct or delete inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information; consumer reporting agencies may not report outdated negative information; access to consumers’ files is limited; consumers must give consent for credit reports to be provided to employers; consumers may limit “prescreened” offers of credit and insurance based on information in their credit report; and consumers may seek damages from violators. Consumers may have additional rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act not summarized here. Identity theft victims and active-duty military personnel have specific additional rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. We encourage consumers to review their rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act by visiting www.consumerfinance.gov/f/201504_cfpb_summary_your-rights-under-fcra.pdf, or by writing Consumer Response Center, Room 130-A, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20580.

For New York residents, the New York Attorney General may be contacted at: Office of the Attorney General, The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341; 1-800-771-7755; or https://ag.ny.gov.

For North Carolina residents, the North Carolina Attorney General may be contacted at: 9001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-9001; 1-877-566-7226 or 1-919-716-6000; and www.ncdoj.gov.

For Rhode Island residents, the Rhode Island Attorney General may be reached at: 150 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903; 1-401-274-4400; and www.riag.ri.gov. Under Rhode Island law, individuals have the right to obtain any police report filed in regard to this event.
STEPS INDIVIDUALS CAN TAKE TO HELP PROTECT A MINOR DEPENDENT’S PERSONAL INFORMATION

Typically, credit reporting agencies do not have a credit report in a minor’s name. To find out if a minor has a credit report or to request a manual search for a minor’s Social Security number each credit bureau has its own process. To learn more about these processes or request these services, consumers may contact the credit bureaus by phone, writing, or online:
Equifax Experian TransUnion
https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/request-child-credit-report/
https://www.experian.com/help/minor-request.html
https://www.transunion.com/fraud-victim-resources/child-identity-theft

1-800-685-1111 1-888-397-3742 1-800-916-8800
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348-5788 P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013 P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016

To request information about the existence of a credit file in a minor’s name, search for a minor’s Social Security number, place a security freeze or fraud alert on a minor’s credit report (if one exists), or request a copy of a minor’s credit report consumers may be required to provide the following information:
● A copy of their driver’s license or another government issued identification card, such as a state identification card, etc.;
● Proof of address, such as a copy of a bank statement, utility bill, insurance statement, etc.;
● A copy of the minor’s birth certificate;
● A copy of the minor’s Social Security card;
● The minor’s full name, including middle initial and generation, such as JR, SR, II, III, etc.;
● The minor’s date of birth; and
● The minor’s previous addresses for the past two years.

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