Getting The Right Car Accident Treatment, What You Need To Know

Getting The Right Car Accident Treatment, What You Need To Know

If you’ve been in a car accident, it’s important to see a medical professional right away—even if you feel fine. Some injuries don’t show up immediately, and getting checked out early can help you heal faster and prevent bigger problems later.

Car accident treatment can be tricky. Not all injuries show up right away. Symptoms from concussions, whiplash, and spine damage might take time to appear. It's important to get the right treatment to avoid lasting damage and ensure you fully recover.

Key Takeaways

  • Seek immediate medical attention after a car accident, for doctors to come up with an accurate prognosis, diagnosis and treatment plan you may have to see a chiropractor, emergency room doctor, orthopedic doctor or neurologist.
  • Get the right car accident treatment to prevent long-term damage and ensure a full recovery.  Many car accident victims today don't bother getting the proper evaluation and treatment for their whiplash injuries.  Just like it is stressful to get your car fixed after a car crash; it is very similar when dealing with your bodily injuries. People who are injured in car wreck, who don't get the proper treatment, says Dr. Hamel, Kingwood chiropractor, often times end up having more severe back pain, neck pain, arthritis and disc bulges/herniations down the road. When damage occurs in the spine or soft tissues, (muscles, ligaments and tendons), it causes instability in the spine.  Instability in the neck or low back tends to cause very severe, chronic injuries down the road like osteoarthritis, radiculopathies, numbness/weakness in the arms or legs, bone spurs and nerve pinching. 
  • Not all car accident injuries are visible immediately, so it's essential to monitor your health closely.  The most serious of injuries from car accidents are concussion and fracture of a bone.  Symptoms of concussion, which means don't pass go or collect $200, it means go to the emergency room right away.  The most common concussion symptoms are severe headaches, fatigue, dizziness, memory issues, fever, shortness of breath and confusion. If you have been in a serious car accident, maybe your car rolled over, the airbags went off or you hit you head or ribs on the inside of the car somewhere; you may have a fractured bone.  A bone fracture anywhere is not good and this is why it is very important after a car wreck to get an X-ray of your spine and also any extremity, (knee, shoulder, hand), if you have pain there. A fracture in the spine means that you will have to be immobilized, because the spinal cord is so close to the spine, it makes sense that you would not want to be twisting or loading the spine if there was a fracture in you cervical spine, thoracic spine or lumbar spine; this could cause permanent injuries. Once you are cleared by the emergency room doctor of a concussion or fracture, you are now able to get treatment for your injuries.  The most experienced doctor when it comes to the initial evaluation and treatment of car accident injuries is a chiropractor.  A chiropractic doctor focuses on evaluation and treatment of spinal and soft tissue related injuries, no other profession sees as many whiplash injured patients compared to chiropractors. DC's will do a comprehensive examination to determine an accurate diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan.  This may include imaging such as X-ray, MRI or referring to another doctor or specialist for treatment.  The chiropractor is ground zero for the patient; they can do specific chiropractic adjustments to help realign and heal the spine, they can refer you to a pain management doctor or a neurosurgeon if need be.  For this reason, you want to seek out a chiropractor who is experienced in whiplash injuries, spinal trauma, spinal biomechanics and reading X-ray and MRI. 
  • Car accident treatment may involve a range of medical professionals, including doctors, chiropractors, pain management doctors, nurses, and specialists.  First and foremost, if you have certain symptoms of a concussion or fracture immediately go to the emergency room medical doctor. Once cleared by an MD, start chiropractic care and they will refer you out to a specialist if need be.  When you spinal injuries are more stable, this is the time to begin strengthening and physical therapy. 
  • To optimize your healing and recovery from a car wreck,  be sure to get adequate rest, over the counter or prescription pain medicine, and a healthy diet and natural supplements.  The body is amazing at healing, for most whiplash injuries expect an initial treatment plan of 4-6 weeks, and then a re-evaluation will be done.  Remember that soft tissue damage for ligaments and tendons never heal back to the original condition, so make sure to do the recommended treatment to see how close you can get to pre-accident status.
  • Exercise and stretching can help regain range of motion, flexibility, and endurance after a car accident.  Initially, if concussion and fracture are ruled out; the spinal damage and misalignments need to be addressed immediately. If you are doing too many exercises and stretches during the acute phase of therapy, (4-6 weeks), you may slow down your healing ability and recovery.  If you are irritating injuries through range of motion exercises, they will not heal so be careful. 
  • A solid support system can provide motivation and assistance during the recovery process.  Chiropractic care and the treatment process works really well, this is why so many car accident patients seek out chiropractors first. As a patient your job is to commit to whatever the chiropractor and other doctors recommend.  Recommendations from the chiropractor include coming in for treatment, (you cannot do this virtually, there is no Teladoc for chiropractic care), home care exercises, stretches, ice, heat and also time off of work or work restrictions.  Make sure you have friends and family who are willing to help you out and support you through your treatment and recovery.  Healing from whiplash injuries can take time and patients often experience some pain and discomfort.  

Immediate Steps After a Car Accident Injury

After a car accident, it's crucial to act fast. You might not feel the fully severity of your symptoms right away. That's why seeing a doctor initially and chiropractor secondly is important, even if you feel okay. A car accident chiropractor can provide an accurate diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan. 

It is recommended that you get your body and injuries evaluated right away, because they could be life threatening; and then your car damage after that.  Make sure to call your insurance company and report a claim for both bodily injury and car damage.  If the other person was at fault, you can call their auto insurance company and file a claim for both bodily injury and car damage.  Make sure to get a claim number and the name and phone number of your claim adjuster.  You will be in constant contact with these folks throughout the claim process.  

Another good recommendation is to speak to an auto accident attorney to get an idea if it is worth hiring one.  Sometimes insurance companies will be kind and fair when it comes to fixing your car or fixing your injuries, but other times those adjusters can be downright rude.  If you get a sense that your insurance adjuster does not have your best interests in mind then it may be a good idea to talk to a car accident lawyer.  Remember that insurance companies try to pay out the least amount possible, whether this be to fix your car, car accident treatment, surgery or prescription medication, this is just the way it is. Dr. Hamel, from Kingwood Chiropractic Spine and Injury Center has a list of qualified attorneys he sends his whiplash injured clients to.  This is all about the patient, if you get them to the right attorney, an experienced chiropractor, a good imaging center and radiologist, a good pain management doctor and so on; this not only gives the patient the best opportunity to recover, it will build the case properly so the insurance company can see medical necessity. 

Common Accident Injuries to Watch For

  • Back injuries, including herniated discs or spinal cord injuries
  • Whiplash, neck and back injuries, spinal misalignments, which can all cause long-term pain and stiffness
  • Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries or concussions
  • Knee injuries, such as ligament sprains or fractures
  • Broken bones, including ribs, arms, legs, or collarbones

Documentation Requirements for Treatment

It's key to document all injuries and treatments after a car accident. Keep records of medical visits, test results, and any medicines you take. A car accident chiropractor can guide you through this and help you get the care and compensation you need.  Without demonstrating the need for chiropractic treatment, medicine, imaging or surgery, the patient does not have a very good chance against an insurance company. This is why you want to find a very experienced car accident chiropractor so that they can do the proper exam, imaging referral and referrals to medical specialists. 

Type of Injury

Common Symptoms

Treatment Options

Whiplash

Neck pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion

Chiropractic care, physical therapy, and pain management

Back Injuries

Back pain, numbness, and tingling in the arms or legs

Chiropractic care, physical therapy, and surgery (in severe cases)

Essential Car Accident Treatment Options

After a car accident, finding the best car accident chiropractic doctor is key. Over 2,000,000 people get hurt in car crashes each year, and over 100,000 in the great Houston area alone. A whiplash injury chiropractor can help diagnose and treat the most severe car accident injuries including headaches, spinal injury, arthritis, soft tissue damage, loss of spinal curves, vertebral misalignments, nerve irritation and inflammation. 

Treatment for car accident injuries depends on the severity, you might think that a higher speed accident creates worse injuries but that is not always the case.  You might get chiropractic care, physical therapy, acupuncture, muscle relaxers or pain medication. These methods help you move better, feel less pain, and recover faster. Chiropractic care is especially good for neck pain, migraines, and ligament/tendon injuries from car accidents.

According to the National Safety Council, in 2021, there were 4.51 million car accident injuries that resulted in involved parties seeking medical treatment. This highlights the importance of seeking proper care and support after a car accident.

Seeing a whiplash injury chiropractor has many benefits. They offer:

  • Special care for whiplash and soft tissue injuries, not only chiropractic adjustments but they also provide the proper referrals to other medical specialists and imaging. 
  • Non-surgical treatments for car accident injuries, chiropractic treatments are all natural, they promote the body's natural ability to heal and repair.  DC's cannot prescribe medication so you will have to see a medical doctor for that or go to Walgreens or CVS to get over the counter medicine. 
  • Chiropractic adjustments can help you move better and feel less pain, one of the main reasons that car accident victims don't heal is because of spinal misalignments.  Spinal misalignments cause nervous system interference which can lead to pain, swelling, inflammation, and range of motion issues.  Until the injured, or misaligned vertebra is realigned, this nervous system irritation will continue, which prolongs recovery. 
  • Chiropractors are the best and most experienced at treating whiplash injuries. From your first experience you want to get an accurate diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan.  The diagnosis comes about from the examination and imaging, (X-ray and MRI), you want the most accurate diagnosis because this tells the insurance company how serious your injuries are.  The prognosis tells you the patient, and the insurance company, how long your injuries will take to heal and what to expect as far as temporary and permanent injuries. For someone with a diagnosis of spinal instability, this can take 3-4 months or more of treatment.  The prognosis depends on the severity of the injuries, some patients will have permanent injuries that will affect them for the rest of their life. others patients will miss no work and be back feeling great after 2 months of chiropractic care. The treatment plan outlines all of the chiropractic therapy the doctor plans to do, how many times per week, and what the expectations or outcomes are.  We do our best, says Dr. Hamel; to get each patient as close to back to pre-accident status, this might take 2 months or 6 months. A treatment plan might include other specialists other than a chiropractor; the patient might get pain management injections, physical therapy or even low back surgery.  

Treatment Method

Benefits

Chiropractic Care

Improved mobility, reduced muscle stiffness and soreness, enhance healing and recovery.

Physical Therapy

Improved mobility, improve muscle strength, improve patient's ability to do pain free activities of daily living.

Acupuncture

Promotes positive flow of energy, targets pressure points, reduces pain and inflammation.

Getting treatment from a skilled whiplash injury chiropractor is crucial. Chiropractors are the experts when it comes to treating car accident injuries. 

Understanding Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries

Whiplash happens when your head moves suddenly forward and back or side to side. This strain damages the neck, back, extremities and spine. Whiplash is most common in rear-end car accidents. When your head whips around, whether you are rearended or hit from the side; it causes significant stress and injury to the spinal joints and ligaments surrounding the spine. 

Whiplash symptoms include neck pain, stiffness, and trouble moving your neck, back or shoulder. You might also feel headaches, dizziness, anxiety and tiredness. Sometimes, you could have pain, numbness or weakness in your arms or legs, this means a nerve is being irritated and it is important to see the right doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. 

Signs and Symptoms of Whiplash

  • Neck pain and stiffness
  • Headaches and dizziness
  • Fatigue and irritability
  • Pain or numbness in the arms or legs
  • Weakness in the arms or legs
  • Sciatica or pain down the leg
  • Inflammation in the spine and surrounding musculature

Treatment for whiplash often includes rest, ice, chiropractic and physical therapy. On the medical side, your doctor might suggest pain relievers like acetaminophen, ibuprofen or even prescription pain medicine or muscle relaxers. On the more natural side of treatments, usually chiropractic and physical therapy are the right choices. 

Treatment Timeline for Soft Tissue Injuries

Most people with whiplash get better in a few weeks to months. But some may have ongoing pain or limited movement for longer. It's crucial to work with a healthcare professional to create a treatment plan that meets your needs and helps you heal fully.  If your soft tissues are damaged in a car wreck; the length of time to heal and fully recover can be many months.  Minor strains in ligaments can heal in 6-8 weeks, but partial tears take longer and full tears even longer with the potential of surgical repair needed. When soft tissues are damaged and not healing; this cause instability of the spine, this means that your neck pain or back pain can take many months to heal.  To stabilize your spine, chiropractic care is the only option, unless there was a fracture then a specialist might be required. Dr. Hamel says it is always wise for a patient to make a list of activities or hobbies that they could do pain free before their car accident; and make the goal of their treatment to be able to do those same things again; don't stop your therapy until you are pain free and happy again. 

The Role of Chiropractic Care in Accident Recovery

Many people don't realize how important chiropractic care is after a car accident. A car accident chiropractor is key to your recovery, this is your number one, priority health care profession to see as long as you are cleared of concussion and fracture.  Chiropractic doctors offer non-invasive, holistic treatments that avoid surgery and medication.  If surgery or medication is needed, the chiropractor will make the proper referral to that doctor or specialist.  Chiropractors do not prescribe medicine or do any type of surgery; they do natural treatments to help realign the spine and enhance the body's ability to heal and repair. 

Chiropractic care has many benefits after a car accident:

  • It reduces inflammation in muscles spinal joints and ligaments.
  • It helps break up scar tissue faster so that new collagen can be brought it to heal the injured area. 
  • It provides pain relief without drugs.
  • It releases hormones that reduce pain during spinal manipulations.

Getting chiropractic care right after a car accident can prevent long-term pain and chronic injuries. Chiropractic adjustments help restore movement and stability to the spine. Without treatment to stabilize the spine, car accident patients often heal and lot slower, or not at all.  Research has shown that only doing physical therapy after a whiplash injury increase a patient's reliance on Opioid medicine by over 90%.  This is why it is very important to see an experienced whiplash injury chiropractor to get the right diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan and get referred to specialists or imaging.  Take your injuries seriously, if you don't think you are getting the right treatment than tell you doctor or attorney. 

Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Description

Pain Relief

Chiropractic care provides pain relief without the use of drugs, reducing the risk of addiction and masking symptoms.

Inflammation Reduction

Chiropractic adjustments reduce inflammation of micro-tears in ligaments and muscles, promoting healing and reducing pain.

Scar Tissue Removal

Chiropractic care addresses scar tissue development, breaking it up faster than it would heal on its own, and promoting proper healing.

Creating Your Recovery Plan

After a car accident, it's key for the chiropractor to make a recovery plan. This plan should cover both your physical and emotional health. A whiplash injury chiropractor can help craft a plan tailored to you. It might include chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, pain management, and a neurologist.

Recovery times for car accident injuries vary, usually between 6 to 8 weeks or even 6-8 months depending on the diagnosis and severity of injuries. Many people choose chiropractic care and active rehabilitation to aid in their recovery. Most medical professionals know to refer their car accident patients to a chiropractor; they are the experts and can handle the patients injuries and recovery. 

Physical Therapy Options

Physical therapy is a big part of getting better. It helps you regain strength, flexibility, and mobility. Remember that physical therapy should only be done after chiropractic treatment has stabilized the spine.  Some PT options include:

  • Exercise programs to improve range of motion and strength
  • Manual therapy to reduce pain and inflammation
  • Modalities such as heat, cold, or electrical stimulation to promote healing

Pain Management Strategies

Managing pain is crucial in your recovery plan. Good pain management can improve your life quality. There are times when patients are going through chiropractic care but they are not benefiting as much as they should because they are in too much pain.  The patient might have an injury like facet syndrome where they need an injection right into the area of the spine; nothing else will help this condition.  If the patient has a bulging disc from a car accident in their low back or neck, they may need an injection to help reduce swelling and inflammation so that the patient can heal better. Some pain management strategies include:

  • Medication, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Physical modalities, such as acupuncture or massage therapy
  • Pain management injections using Cortisone from a medical doctor or PA or nurse practitioner. 

Monitoring Your Progress

Keeping track of your progress is vital. Regular check-ups with your healthcare team, including a whiplash injury chiropractor, are important. They help ensure you're on the right path to recovery and make any needed changes to your plan.  The chiropractic doctor will evaluate your response to treatment and progress by doing orthopedic tests, muscle tests, range of motion testing and maybe follow up X-ray or MRI.  If the whiplash injury treatment is going as planned; the patient should report a lower-level pain scale compared to when they initially came in.  The doctor will look for things like improved range of motion, less pain with activities such as work, hobbies or exercise, and muscles getting stronger. Progress is key; for the doctor and patient to know that the recommended chiropractic treatment plan is working. 

Recovery Stage

Duration

Activities

Acute Phase

0-6 weeks

Rest, ice, compression, elevation, chiropractic care, pain management.

Subacute Phase

6-8 weeks

Physical therapy, monitoring progress

Chronic Phase

12-16 weeks

Gradual return to normal activities, ongoing monitoring and adjustment of recovery plan

Insurance Coverage and Medical Documentation

Understanding your insurance and keeping good medical records is key after a car accident. In the U.S., depending on the state you live in, like Texas, you can have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance for medical costs. Medical Payments (Med Pay) also helps pay for bills, no matter who was at fault.  You have to check with your insurance agent to make sure that you have PIP insurance and uninsured motorist on your policy.  The limits of PIP insurance are $2500, $5000, $7500 or $10000; this insurance covers the cost of any medical like emergency room, CT-Scan, medicine and chiropractic care.  

Knowing your rights and how to deal with insurance is vital. Here are some important points:

  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage helps with medical bills if the other driver doesn't have enough insurance.
  • Med Pay is the first to pay for medical costs, before your health insurance kicks in.
  • UM/UIM coverage also works in hit-and-run cases to cover medical expenses.
  • If you do not have insurance on your auto policy or the person who hit you does not have insurance, you can always use you medical insurance like Blue Cross Blue Shield or Aetna.  

Make sure your medical records are detailed from the emergency room, chiropractor, pain management doctor, radiologist or physical therapist; your insurance company will want to see all of this.  Seeing the right doctors and having proper documentation gives you the best chance at a fair settlement with the insurance company. Make sure to explore all of your insurance options, insurance limits might run out with PIP or medical insurance so try everything you can and all of your resources to get your chiropractic treatment covered. 

Insurance Coverage

Description

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Covers medical expenses after a car accident, whether your fault or not.

Medical Payments (Med Pay)

Covers medical bills regardless of fault in the accident, typically starting at $5,000.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)

Covers medical bills in case of insufficient liability insurance from the at-fault driver.

Conclusion: Your Path to Recovery After an Accident

After a car accident, getting the right treatment is key for a quick recovery. The first step after going to see the emergency room doctor is to seek out a skilled chiropractor can properly diagnose your injuries and give you an accurate prognosis and treatment plan. 

The chiropractic doctor is the primary doctor who will coordinate your care and referrals to specialists so make sure you find an experienced one who sees a lot of whiplash injuries. 

FAQ

Why is it important to seek immediate medical attention after a car accident?

Getting medical help right away after a car accident is key, even if you don't see any injuries. Some injuries might not show up right away. Waiting too long can cause serious problems later. Quick medical care is important for the right treatment and to avoid complications.

What are some common car accident injuries to watch for?

Look out for whiplash, soft tissue injuries, and other hidden injuries. These might not be obvious at first. It's vital to know the signs and get medical help fast. This includes seeing a chiropractor for car accident injuries.

How can a whiplash injury chiropractor help with car accident treatment?

A whiplash injury chiropractor offers special care for whiplash and soft tissue injuries. They use safe and natural methods to ease pain and help you heal. They are a key part of treating car accident injuries.

What are the long-term impacts of untreated car accident injuries?

Not treating car accident injuries, like whiplash or soft tissue damage, can cause lasting problems. It's important to get the right treatment, including chiropractic care. This helps you fully recover and avoid long-term pain.

How can chiropractic care benefit my recovery after a car accident?

Chiropractic care is vital for recovering from a car accident. It offers safe and natural treatments. A car accident chiropractor can help with muscle injuries, reduce pain, and create a recovery plan. This ensures a smooth and effective healing process.

What documentation do I need to ensure my car accident treatment is properly covered by insurance?

It's important to keep detailed records of your treatment, like medical bills and insurance info. This helps ensure your treatment is covered. Working with your insurance and healthcare team is key to understanding your rights and getting the care you need.

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