Auto Injury
People usually think they would know what to do until they actually experience an auto accident. Then questions begin to fly through their head such as “Since I am not in pain now, am I going to feel it later? ”, “If I wait it out to see if it heals, is it going to make it worse?”, or “I don’t have health insurance, can I still get care?”. Not only will not knowing these answers cause a lot of stress it also takes time to figure out what you need to do.
Our main goal is to make sure you are receiving the care you need and deserve. We want you to feel as good as you did before getting into an automobile accident, if not better. We will make sure the required medical reports are done correctly and submitted to the attorneys or your insurance company so your rights are protected.
If we are unable to help you, we will let you know and refer you to someone who can.
Please look below, save yourself some time and understand the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding auto injuries.
Frequently Ask Questions:
Since I am not in pain now, am I going to feel it later?
If I wait it out to see if my pain/injury heals, is it going to make it worse?
What If My Car Sustained Only Minor Damage?
If I Need Treatment For This Injury, Do I Have To Pay For It Myself?
Should I See An Attorney Before I See My Chiropractor?
Will my insurance rates go up?" I don’t have health insurance, can I still get care?
My primary care physician told me NOT to see a Chiropractor, should I take his/her advice.
The Insurance Company Has Been Calling Me And Wants To Settle, What Should I Do?
The Insurance company sent me a small check, should I cash it?
I've Been To The Hospital And My Medical Doctor, Do I Really Need to See a Chiropractor?
Is Chiropractic Care Safe?
Q. What is a whiplash injury?
A: Click Here For Whiplash Injury Article.
See Video Below- On Whiplash
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Q. Since I am not in pain now, am I going to feel it later?
A: Yes and No. Auto accident injuries are hidden and are rarely detected for months or even years after the accident. Sometimes people complain of an injury for unknown reasons that could be due to an automobile accident you’ve had years ago. Regardless of the amount of pain you feel, you should always immediately get checked because you may experience pain, numbness, muscle stiffness, headaches or migraines, fatigue and other problems like disc degeneration, disc bulging or even arthritis months down the road.
The worse-case scenario is when accident victims settle with the insurance carriers before getting checked by a doctor who is trained in musculoskeletal injuries. Once you are in pain, and the case is settled, you are on your own.
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Q: If I wait it out to see if it heals, is it going to make it worse?
A: Typically, the longer you wait the longer it usually takes to heal. When in an acute phase a well trained doctor may prevent scar tissues from forming and help the injury to heal correctly, thus preventing future spinal injuries and pain.
Q: What If My Car Sustained Only Minor Damage?
A: It really doesn’t take much for an injury to occur when in an auto accident. It is always best to see a doctor who primarily works with musculoskeletal issues, like a chiropractor, to see if you need to receive further care.
There have been documented studies which showed that the amount of damage to the automobile bears little to the force applied to the cervical spine(neck) of the occupants. In other words, the damage to your vehicle does not necessarily reflect the damage that has been done to the occupants inside.
Studies performed by Charles Carroll, M.D., Paul McAtee, MD and Lee Riley, M.D."
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Q: If I Need Treatment For This Injury, Do I Have To Pay For It Myself?
A: It depends. If you were at fault your insurance policy may or may not pay for your medical care. Some auto insurance policies include “Med Pay” which covers your medical bills at 100% up to a certain limit. Using Med Pay typically does not raise your premium.
If you were not at fault, the other driver’s insurance company should pay for your medical care.
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Q: Should I See An Attorney Before I See A Chiropractor.
A: It is recommended to see a Chiropractor first. The chiropractor will perform a detailed examination to see the severity of your injury. The chiropractor will then let you know if it is necessary to get an attorney. If an attorney is necessary, we can refer you to a qualified and reputable attorney you can trust.
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Q: Will my insurance rates go up?
A: Once again, it depends on who was at fault. If you were at fault, your premium will likely go up. If you were not, your premium should remain the same.
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Q: I don’t have health insurance, can I still get care? A: If you were at fault and your policy includes Med Pay, you may receive care at little or no cost to you. If you are not at fault, the other driver’s insurance company is responsible for your medical bills.
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Q: My primary care physician told me NOT to see a Chiropractor, should I take his/her advice.
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A: Most medical doctors are unaware of how chiropractors are capable of helping and healing a patient. Since they tend to have a different approach to healthcare than chiropractors they typically advise patients to stay away. Fortunately, we have had several patients continue chiropractic treatment against their doctor’s advice and have enjoyed remarkable results, often leaving our office feeling even better that they did prior to their injury.
There are two main reasons NOT to see a Chiropractor: bone cancer and acute fracture. Unless you suffer from one of these two conditions, there is no reason not to receive chiropractic care. With the exception of acute fractures, chiropractors are the ideal doctors to see following an automobile accident.
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Q: The Insurance Company Has Been Calling Me And Wants To Settle, What Should I Do?
A: Insurance companies typically have one goal. Their goal is to suffer the smallest loss possible by getting you to settle. Do not sign or settle until you have had us evaluate your injuries first. If you were to settle before you are completely healed, you will lose the right to have your insurance company pay for your treatment thereafter. You will then be on your own and required to pay out of pocket for your care. Our goal is to make sure you are functioning the way you were before your auto accident. Once that has been reached, then you may settle.
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Q. The Insurance Company sent me a small check, should I cash it?
A: No, do not cash it until you have spoken with your attorney. It is not unheard of for insurance companies to send a check followed by a letter stating that if you decide to cash your check, you have agreed to close your case. So please be careful.
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Q: I've been to the Hospital and My Medical Doctor, Do I Really Need to See a Chiropractor? Here are some examples of auto impacts, it shows why it is important to receive care:
A: Yes absolutely. You need a doctor who will focus on your injuries from the automobile accident, a doctor who is trained in the biomechanics of the human body and who treats these injuries every day. A chiropractor can also take x –rays and see if there was any structural damage.
A: Yes, especially when you compare it to the side effects of medication. Please see our testimonial page and see what our patients are saying about our care.
Here is some research on Auto Injuries:
1. Ferrantelli
2. Berglund
3. Bunketorp
4. Vernon
5. Kristjansson
6. Panjabi
7. Woodward
8. Barnsley