Local Advantage: My Primary Care Doctor Won’t Treat Me For My Car Accident

When Your Own Doctor Refuses Care After a NYC Car Accident

After a car accident in New York City, many people try to do the responsible thing. They call the doctor they trust, their primary care physician, hoping to avoid the emergency room or to get follow-up care after an ER visit. Instead, they hear something shocking:

“We don’t treat car accident injuries.”

If this has happened to you, you are not alone. This situation affects injury victims across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island every day. It does not mean your injuries are minor or imaginary. In most cases, the refusal has far more to do with insurance billing rules, paperwork, and legal concerns than with your medical condition.

At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, our New York City car accident lawyers help injured New Yorkers take control of what happens next. That includes understanding your medical options, avoiding gaps in treatment, and protecting your right to compensation.

Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) for a free consultation.
No fee unless we win. NYC-focused representation.

Why Primary Care Doctors Often Refuse Car Accident Cases in NYC

A refusal from your doctor often feels personal, but it usually is not. Common reasons include:

No-Fault insurance billing complexity

New York’s No-Fault insurance system requires strict forms, codes, and deadlines. If anything is submitted incorrectly or late, payment can be delayed, reduced, or denied. Many primary care offices are not structured to handle No-Fault billing and choose to avoid the risk entirely.

Administrative burden and paperwork

Car accident cases often involve additional authorizations, insurer communications, and medical record requests. Some medical practices simply do not have the staffing or resources to manage the extra workload.

Avoiding legal involvement

Even when cases never go to trial, treating doctors may receive record requests, attorney letters, or insurance inquiries. Many practices adopt a policy of refusing accident cases to avoid any connection to the legal process.

Injuries outside a PCP’s scope

Car accidents frequently cause whiplash, herniated discs, fractures, nerve damage, and concussions. These injuries often require imaging and specialist care. A primary care doctor may reasonably believe urgent care or a specialist is more appropriate.

Is It Legal for a Doctor to Refuse to Treat Me After a Car Accident?

In most cases, yes. Emergency rooms are required to screen and stabilize patients with emergency conditions. Private physicians and medical practices can usually decide which cases they accept. Even though it may be legal, it can still put accident victims in a dangerous position if care is delayed. That is why it is critical to act quickly and make informed decisions after a refusal.

What To Do If Your Primary Care Doctor Won’t See You

If your doctor has refused to treat you after a car accident, take these steps immediately:

Get evaluated as soon as possible

If you have severe symptoms such as head injury signs, chest pain, dizziness, numbness, or significant pain, go to the emergency room. For non-emergency injuries, urgent care or a specialist evaluation may be appropriate.

Avoid gaps in medical treatment

Insurance companies frequently argue that delays mean you were not seriously injured or that something else caused your condition. Consistent treatment creates the medical timeline your case depends on.

Ask for referrals anyway

Even if your PCP will not treat accident injuries, they may still refer you to orthopedists, neurologists, physical therapists, or pain management specialists.

Be honest and thorough about symptoms

Clear and accurate symptom reporting helps doctors treat you properly and prevents insurers from claiming inconsistencies later.

Be cautious with high-volume accident clinics

Some clinics focus on volume rather than individualized care. Poor-quality records can attract insurer scrutiny. The goal is legitimate treatment and credible documentation.

Why Medical Treatment Is Critical for Your NYC Car Accident Claim

Medical care after a crash is not only about recovery. It is the foundation of your personal injury claim. Strong medical records help establish:

• the diagnosis of your injuries
• the treatment required
• how long recovery took or whether injuries became permanent
• how the injuries affected your work and daily life

When treatment is delayed or stopped early, insurance companies often use that to justify reduced settlements, even when pain and limitations are very real.

New York No-Fault Insurance and Car Accident Medical Care

New York is a No-Fault insurance state. This means your own auto insurance policy, or the policy covering the vehicle you were in, typically pays certain benefits regardless of fault.

What No-Fault insurance may cover

• medical bills such as doctor visits, hospital care, imaging, and physical therapy
• up to 80 percent of lost wages, subject to statutory caps
• reasonable out-of-pocket expenses such as transportation to medical appointments

In most cases, No-Fault benefits are capped at $50,000 per person, which can be exhausted quickly in serious injury cases.

Critical No-Fault deadlines

• No-Fault applications must generally be filed within 30 days of the accident
• Medical bills must be submitted correctly and on time

Missing deadlines can result in denials even for valid injuries and can weaken your overall claim.

When No-Fault Insurance Is Not Enough

No-Fault insurance does not compensate you for pain and suffering. If your injuries meet New York’s serious injury threshold, you may pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver for:

• pain and suffering
• long-term disability or limitations
• future medical expenses
• lost income beyond No-Fault benefits

Insurance companies closely examine how quickly you sought care, whether there were gaps in treatment, and whether medical records clearly connect your injuries to the crash.

The Greenstein & Pittari, LLP Local Advantage

At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, we help New York City car accident victims navigate both the medical and legal realities after a crash. Our attorneys assist clients by:

• explaining No-Fault insurance rules in plain English
• helping avoid missed deadlines and technical denials
• protecting access to appropriate medical care
• building strong claims supported by credible medical evidence
• pursuing full compensation when No-Fault insurance is not enough

Free consultation. Serving all five NYC boroughs. No fee unless we win.

Common Car Accident Injuries That Often Require Specialists

Many injuries caused by car accidents require specialist care, including:

• herniated or bulging spinal discs
• nerve compression and radiating pain
• shoulder, knee, and joint injuries
• concussions and traumatic brain injuries
• fractures and serious soft-tissue injuries
• chronic pain and reduced mobility

Specialist treatment is often medically necessary and legally important.

NYC Car Accident Practice Areas We Handle

Greenstein & Pittari, LLP represents injury victims throughout New York City in cases involving:

• car accidents
• Uber, Lyft, and taxi accidents
• pedestrian accidents
• bicycle and e-bike crashes
• motorcycle accidents
• truck and delivery vehicle accidents
• hit-and-run accidents
• serious injury and wrongful death claims

We serve clients in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.

Speak With a NYC Car Accident Lawyer Today

If your primary care doctor will not treat you after a car accident, do not let that delay your recovery or jeopardize your claim.

Call Greenstein & Pittari, LLP at 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) for a free consultation.
The call is free. The consultation is free. You do not pay unless we win.

FAQ: My Primary Care Doctor Won’t Treat Me After a Car Accident in NYC

Why would my primary care doctor refuse to treat accident injuries?
Most refusals are due to No-Fault billing complexity, paperwork, or concerns about legal involvement, not because your injuries are insignificant.

Is it legal for a doctor to refuse care after a car accident?
Outside of emergency situations, most private doctors can choose which cases they accept.

Will delaying treatment hurt my car accident case?
Yes. Treatment gaps are one of the most common reasons insurers challenge injury claims.

What if my pain started days after the accident?
That is common. Adrenaline can mask symptoms. Seek medical evaluation as soon as symptoms appear.

Is urgent care a good option if my PCP refuses to see me?
Urgent care can be appropriate for non-emergency evaluation, documentation, and referrals.

Can I use my regular health insurance after a car accident?
Sometimes, but accident-related billing can become complicated and may cause delays or denials.

Will my doctor have to testify in court?
Most cases settle, but doctors may still receive record requests, which some practices prefer to avoid.

What type of doctor should I see after a car accident?
It depends on your injuries. Orthopedists, neurologists, physical therapists, and other specialists are commonly involved.

How can a NYC car accident lawyer help with medical issues?
A lawyer can help you avoid treatment mistakes, explain insurance requirements, and ensure your claim is supported by proper medical documentation.

Why Choose Greenstein & Pittari, LLP

Greenstein & Pittari, LLP focuses exclusively on personal injury law and has a proven track record of results for New York accident victims.

• Local Harlem office and multiple convenient NYC locations
• No fee unless we win, our Fee Guarantee
• Bilingual services available
• Hundreds of positive client reviews
• Award-winning attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers
• We handle the insurance companies so you can focus on healing

Don’t Be a Victim Twice. Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) today.