Every year, between 20 and 50 million people suffer non-fatal traffic injuries.
As a result, many of these victims incur a disability as a result of their injuries. However, some of these injuries, despite being potentially life-threatening, are not evident immediately after an accident.
The adrenaline released and shock can prevent you from noticing internal injuries after a car crash.
It is therefore important to visit a spring chiropractor after a car accident. In this article, we shall discuss some of the reasons why you should get checked soon after an auto collision.
After a motor vehicle accident, it is common for victims to experience whiplash. This condition causes pain and stiffness which can cause the spine to destabilize.
Whiplash injuries are caused when the head experiences an unexpected and sudden jarring movement towards a single direction during a car crash.
Symptoms may take hours, days or even months to manifest. You may walk away from an accident thinking you are fine, only for complications to arise later.
It is important to have your neck and back assessed ever after a minor collision. In fact, the injury risk from a Low-Speed Rear Impact crash (LOSRIC) is 35-68%.
If left untreated, the condition may worsen and develop into chronic whiplash which can last more than six months.
The side effects of whiplash include:
Depending on the severity of your whiplash, the chiropractor can use a combination of different techniques to treat you.
To begin with, spinal manipulation will be used to restore normal motion to your neck. Soft tissue therapy can also be used to treat damaged muscles and ligaments.
For muscle spasms, pain and stiffness in the neck, your chiropractor will use ultrasound and electrical stimulation to boost blood circulation.
In case you experience one of the above symptoms, be sure to visit a chiropractor with haste to stop the condition from getting worse.
Insurance companies have lawyers on their payroll whose goal is to reduce the amount paid out in claims. To get the best chances of receiving fair compensation, you will need an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Attorneys and chiropractors work closely together. Many personal injury attorneys partner with chiropractors to get referrals.
After treating you, a chiropractor can help you get representation by recommending excellent personal injury attorneys. Though you can pursue your claim independently, hiring an attorney will have the following benefits:
They will collect witness statements on your behalf
Hiring a personal injury attorney will save you time and the stress of dealing with representatives from the insurance company as you recover.
If you suffer any injuries from an accident you did not cause, you should be compensated by the guilty party’s insurance provider. It is recommended that you visit a chiropractor within 72 hours for you to have a strong claim.
Getting checked soon after the crash will prove your injuries were caused during the accident. The medical records will also be relevant in a settlement case. You can receive compensation for one or more of the following:
During such claims, it is essential to know that the insurance company’s goal is to avoid payment or to pay as little as possible. Timely assessment will strengthen your claim.
Injuries may sometimes take days, weeks or months to become evident.
You may not even associate injuries with the accident you suffered because of the time that has elapsed since the ordeal. Such injuries can have severe implications and become difficult to treat.
Even if you were driving at 5 mph and the collision was minor, you should have a follow-up assessment.
During an accident, the body is quickly thrown in one direction and stopped suddenly.
Such sudden movements can cause ligaments to stretch or tear, or some bones to dislocate. Those that support the neck and head are the most commonly affected during accidents.
Even if you are not in pain, a chiropractor will check for any muscle, bone, nerve, or connective tissue damage.
During the checkup, your chiropractor will be able to identify and remedy any misalignment in the body that the accident may have caused.
Chiropractic adjustments will not only improve joint mobility and function but also decreases degeneration of the joint and connective tissues.
Failure to get the appropriate medical treatment after an accident can result in complications later on. Injuries that were unnoticed or seemed not to be serious enough to warrant medical attention may worsen and become painful.
Minor injuries that a chiropractor would have treated may end up requiring invasive surgeries. Spinal related issues, for instance, can become severe causing problems with motion or even paralysis.
Therefore, it’s crucial to have your back checked.
By getting early medical care, you will have better chances of fully recovering and doing so quickly. The chiropractor will give you optimal nutrition advice and give you physical therapy treatment that will boost your recovery.
As we discussed earlier, injuries sustained during an accident should be compensated and medical bills paid for by the insurance provider of the guilty party.
However, if you fail to get assessed promptly and problems start to manifest later on, you may not get compensation. Any medical bills and wages you lose as a result will be your responsibility. At times, expensive surgeries may be required.
A trip to a chiropractor shouldn’t only happen when something is wrong.
It is important to get checked. The good thing about going for a checkup even if you cannot detect any injuries is the peace of mind you get after.
When you are given a clean bill of health, you will not keep second guessing your choice or worry that an issue may arise later.
An accident can be a very traumatic event that you want to put behind you as soon as it happens.
However, that is not what’s best for you.
It is vital that you visit a spring chiropractor to prevent minor injuries from becoming severe and life-changing. Also, early diagnosis will help you to get fair compensation and ensure your medical bills are paid for.
Elite Spine and Health Center provides unmatched chiropractic care that is customized to fit individual needs. Contact us today to learn more about our services.
