"Why didn't you treat sooner, and who told you to see that doctor?" That is the adjuster question coming next, and your answer matters because insurers use treatment delays, gaps in care, and "wrong doctor" arguments to cut what they pay.

What should have happened first: after the crash, you should have gone to an ER, urgent care, or your regular doctor as soon as symptoms showed up. In Charleston, that often means CAMC General, CAMC Memorial, or another local provider. As an Uber passenger, you do not have to let the insurance company pick your doctor. That is a common myth. West Virginia injury claims are not workers' comp claims. The insurer does not control your treatment.

What to do now: if you have not been seen yet, go now. Delayed symptoms are common after a wreck, especially in construction zones with lane shifts and sudden stops, like on I-77 between Charleston and Princeton, where steep grades, fog, and curves make rear-end and rollover crashes worse. Tell the provider every body part that hurts and mention any prior injury honestly. A pre-existing condition does not kill your claim; the insurer is still responsible if the crash made it worse.

Also do this now:

• Ask every provider for itemized bills and records
• Use your health insurance if you have it
• Ask whether MedPay is available under the Uber policy, the driver's policy, or your own household auto policy
• Do not skip follow-ups or physical therapy without a documented reason

What comes next: the insurer may try to send you to an IME or "independent medical exam." It is usually not very independent. It is often a defense exam meant to say you are fine, that treatment was excessive, or that your pain was old. Go if required, but do not treat it like your real doctor visit.

If bills are not being paid or an adjuster says your doctor "doesn't count," that is not West Virginia law. Complaints about insurer handling can go to the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner. For injury claims, the lawsuit deadline is usually 2 years in West Virginia, so treatment and records should be lined up well before that.