How Soon After a Car Accident Should I See a Chiropractor?

If you believe you have been injured in a collision, obtain emergency medical care to prevent making your situation worse. An experienced car accident lawyer will tell you that early intervention– whether medical or chiropractic– can improve how fast you can heal from latent injuries.

Latent injuries are common after car accidents

Car accidents can cause serious injuries that are not immediately visible. For example, soft tissue injuries, like sprains or tears, can take a few days or even weeks to manifest. This is why it’s a good idea to see a chiropractor in the first 24 hours after the crash.

Even though there are police reports, insurance claims, and transportation matters to worry about, taking the time to get a medical evaluation is important. If you have undetected injuries, getting an early check-up ensures proper treatment and early detection. This both helps with your healing as well as the documentation you need for an insurance claim.

Why see a chiropractor

Chiropractors are popular because they do not prescribe drugs but instead take an alternative approach– relying instead on adjustments, exercises, and various therapies to improve soft tissue issues, including diet changes.

Chiropractic treatment can help you heal more quickly while increasing your mobility and reducing pain without potentially addictive painkillers. It is non-invasive, and also, early intervention can reduce the need for surgery.

A chiropractor makes sense after an auto accident

Rear-end collisions cause a back and forth jolt that injures the neck and spine. Thankfully, this responds favorably to chiropractic care.

Many patients undergoing this type of treatment appreciate that drugs do not mask their pain. Instead, the chiropractor addresses the underlying cause by reducing pressure and inflammation. Depending on the severity, it may resolve in a couple of visits, or it may take several weeks or months to attain maximum healing. In either case, early evaluation and treatment usually improve the overall effect.

The harm in waiting too long to seek treatment

As noted above, treating your pain and its underlying cause can get you back on your feet more quickly. It means you can take care of your family, return to work, and manage your other obligations with less interruption.

From a practical perspective, waiting too long can also jeopardize your personal injury claim. While it is perfectly normal to not experience peak pain until days after an accident– insurance adjusters and even juries do not always see things that way. They often interpret a delay of a few days or weeks as a sign that the injury just was not that significant. In other words, early visits help your credibility.

Who will pay for my chiropractor?

There is a good chance that your treatment will be covered by your health insurance. If in doubt, confirm coverage with the provider’s office when you schedule your appointment.

In a no-fault state like New York or New Jersey, personal injury protection coverage will also cover chiropractor visits. If you qualify to file a personal injury lawsuit in these states, then the at-fault party’s insurance should cover your expenses.

Contact us today

The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be. This goes for seeking medical or chiropractic care, as well as speaking with a car accident law firm.

At Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C., we guide our clients in Rockland County and Bergen County through the important first steps after an accident and see things through until the case is resolved. Our team understands what you are experiencing– let us protect your rights. Call today to schedule a complimentary consultation.