A sudden car accident can cause many different types of injuries, including spine and joint damage that could affect you permanently. Seeing a chiropractor after a car accident may help you understand what causes your pain and whether seeing a physician as well could bolster medical treatment.
At Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers, our experienced Pensacola car accident attorneys can help you navigate the process of building a personal injury case and offer you useful information regarding chiropractic care after your crash.
Common Car Crash Injuries
While no two car accidents will cause the exact same types of injuries, any crash may result in back and neck pain that does not ease on its own. Injuries that can prompt a visit to a chiropractor may include:
- Whiplash
- Spinal misalignment
- Soft tissue injuries
Most of these problems are the result of your head and neck moving forward suddenly and then snapping back from the force of a car crash. Whiplash is most common in rear-end accidents but can happen in almost any type of impact.
Seeking chiropractic care after a car accident can help you understand your symptoms and collect information for an upcoming personal injury lawsuit.
When To Seek Chiropractic Care
You may wonder how soon after a car accident you should see a chiropractor and whether the other party’s insurance company will reimburse you. You may want to keep in mind that Florida is a no-fault state, and personal injury protection coverage can cover up to 80% of your medical expenses, with a cap of $10,000. However, if you still plan to sue the party that caused the crash, you should make an appointment with a chiropractor as soon as possible to begin building a medical file.
The Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Because car accidents can cause many different types of joint, spinal, and muscular pain, seeing a chiropractor after your wreck may offer you several benefits. This type of treatment may ease your symptoms and document any pain you suffer as a direct result of a car accident.
Reduced inflammation
After a car accident, your muscles, tendons, and spinal discs may cause you pain due to the force of the accident. In some cases, small tears in any of your ligaments can result in swelling and discomfort. Chiropractic care can ease this inflammation without the need for medication.
Spine realignment
The force of a car crash can cause significant misalignment in your spine. This can lead to daily chronic pain, an overall loss of energy, and trouble with everyday tasks, such as caring for your children. A realignment can ease your pain and prevent an eventual loss of mobility.
Improved range of motion
A spinal or neck injury during a car crash can severely impact your range of motion. You may find it difficult to turn your head to a certain degree. Chiropractic care may improve your ROM and ease stiffness or misalignment in the neck joints.
If you seek chiropractic care through your PIP, make an appointment as soon as you can. Florida insurance laws give you two weeks to see a doctor or chiropractor after a car accident. Making the choice of which healthcare specialist might best benefit you is not always a simple one, but our lawyers can assist you with this decision.
Chiropractor or Specialist?: Making an Informed Decision
In some cases, seeing a general physician first can help you decide whether you need chiropractic care and how it could benefit you for pain management. A general practitioner may also recommend that you see a specialist if he or she finds an injury that requires more serious treatment.
Your chiropractor could testify at your trial if your case goes to court. He or she can present information and medical history regarding your injuries and confirm that any pain you now feel is the direct result of the car accident. This can help you meet the burden of proof and strengthen the foundation of your case.
No matter if you seek compensation through your PIP coverage or a third party because you believe that person acted with negligence and caused the car accident, our attorneys can help you decide what type of medical treatment can best assist you and assess your injuries at the same time.
Let Our Attorneys Assist You
After a serious Florida car crash leaves you with chronic pain related to whiplash, soft tissue injuries, and other types of bodily trauma, it is often difficult to choose treatment plans and physicians that can ease your pain. Contacting Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers today can provide you with greater peace of mind and help you gain compensation for all a car crash may take from you.