If you’ve been involved in an automobile accident, your first priority is to receive emergency medical treatment if needed. Obviously, you want to make sure that you are physically “intact” with no broken bones or internal injuries. This could require a trip to the emergency room or a visit to your physician within 12-24 hours of the accident, or sooner.

But once it has been determined that you do not have trauma or injuries requiring emergency medical treatment, you should consider visiting a chiropractor. This is true whether or not you feel injured, but it’s especially important if you experience pain.

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries related to car accidents, but other types of injuries might include:

  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Fractures
  • Broken bones
  • Strains and sprains
  • Bruises
  • Lacerations
  • Concussions
  • Traumatic brain injury

 

Why should you see a chiropractor within 72 hours? If the other person was at fault, their insurance company will be liable for your medical bills. However, in most cases they require that injuries be diagnosed within 72 hours of the accident.

Due to the adrenaline released during a traumatic event, some people can be injured yet do not feel pain for several days. This might lead you to believe that you don’t need to see a doctor… But a week or so later, pain appears. If your problems were not detected by a doctor within the 72-hour window, you could face a challenge when attempting to file your claim with the insurance company.

Why a chiropractor? Chiropractic care can help you cope with whiplash and soft tissue injuries, and these can occur during even minor “fender bender” accidents. Our therapies are aimed to address the root of a problem, rather than masking symptoms. In fact, chiropractic care can be the preferred mode of treatment for patients who wish to avoid invasive procedures or pain medication.

So please, do not hesitate to give us a call during this time. We treat many accident victims in our office and can offer you treatment and advice that can save you from pain and stress down the road.