How Chiropractic Treatments Can Help Post-Accident Recovery?

You never plan on being involved in a life altering car accident when you are in the shower that morning.  Accidents happen in the blink of an eye. While the damage to your vehicle is immediately visible, the damage to your body can take hours, days or even weeks to show up. Here’s what to do after a car accident injury.

Car accidents are one of the most common causes of disability and long-term pain for chiropractic patients.  With over 20 years of experience in post-trauma care, Dr. Jason Crist, DC, is the leading choice for evaluating injury and providing care after a car accident in Franklin, TN.  Dr. Crist’s gentle and therapeutic treatments of post-accident injuries are beneficial for the patient. He also knows how to document treatment of your injuries for the insurance companies. His thorough documentation of your injuries makes it easy to file your claim and receive proper compensation for your bills.

It’s hard to keep things straight after your accident.  Paperwork, insurance claims and costly car repairs can make you place your physical injuries low on priority list.  The truth is, your car can be replaced or repaired. If your health issues are not addressed promptly the results can last a lifetime.

Frequently Asked Questions Post-Accident:

Car accidents are one of the tragic, unplanned events in life.  They can be full of confusion, myths, and unanswered questions like:

Do I Need an Attorney after My Accident?

Our office is concerned with your physical health first. That is why you don’t need an attorney or insurance claim to be seen by our highly trained professional staff.  We do have a list of local attorneys we trust that have a proven success record for accident victims.  While we do not get involved with the legal aspect of any accident, we can refer you to one of these trusted attorneys for a free consultation.  The last thing you need to worry about when you are injured is the financial hit from the accident. An attorney can take care of all legal aspects of your case while you concentrate on getting better. 

Remember:  Insurance adjusters don’t work for you. They represent their company. They are trained to use very aggressive tactics to disprove your insurance claim.

Is Chiropractic Care Covered by Automobile Insurance?

Chiropractic care after an accident is covered by most automobile insurance. You will not need a referral to seek treatment at Crist Chiropractic.

Tennessee regulates insurance coverage. Drivers are required to carry “liability insurance.”  These plans cover damages to vehicles as well as any physical injuries.  Per the state, the minimum required coverage coverages are:

• $15k for property damages
• $25k per injury or death resulting from a single accident
• $50k total for each injury or death from a single accident

While drivers are not required to have coverage for uninsured motorists, most insurance policies do.  This means that even if you are involved in an accident with someone without car insurance, you are most likely still able to file a claim.

Do I Need to See a Doctor If I Don’t Have a Lot of Damage to My Car?

If there is “minimal damage” to your vehicle, some insurance adjusters will advise accident victims not to seek treatment.  Remember: adjusters work for the insurance company. They will try to discourage anything that will cost the company money.  The truth is damages to your vehicle have absolutely nothing to do with the potential for serious injury.  Research has proven that serious injuries can occur no matter the ‘severity” of the accident or the amount of damage done to your vehicle.

My Neck Hurts.  Do I Have Whiplash?

Cervical Acceleration/Deceleration Syndrome, commonly known as whiplash, can have long-term effects for victims of a vehicle accident. Whiplash can lead to permanent disability and chronic pain.

Whiplash is hard to miss.  Symptoms can include:

• Pain, decreased range of motion, and stiffness when turning your head or trying to look over your shoulder
• Tightness, decreased range of motion and pain of the neck along with muscles that may feel knotted, tight or hard
• Headaches are common, moving from the base of your skull and towards your forehead
• Pain in the neck when moving your head in a “nodding yes” or “shaking no” movement.      
• Tenderness of the neck

If you are suffering any discomfort in your neck, play it safe and get an evaluation.

The Five Most Common Mistakes Victims Make:

After an accident, things can seem overwhelming and confusing.  It’s easy to write off your pain and discomfort as something that will pass on its own.  There are five very common mistakes victims make:

1.  Thinking that Injuries can “Heal Themselves”

Muscles, nerves, ligaments, and discs can never find their pre-accident function without proper treatment. Improper healing processes can lead to scar tissue and long-term disability.

2.  Ignoring the Signs of Injury

Pain is the body’s alerting system that something is wrong.  You may not have any visible injuries, like cuts, bruises or fractures, but that doesn’t mean that you should ignore pain.

Many times, victims are shamed into not seeking treatment because the accident “wasn’t that bad.”  Never allow anyone to influence your decision to seek treatment after an accident.

3.  Not Understanding Your Rights

Did you know you only have a limited amount of time to seek treatment post-accident?  If you wait until after the time limits, your claim will be disputed.  It is a dangerous game insurance companies want you to play. They may try to sell you on a “quick settlement” before you have even been evaluated for potential injury.  Remember that insurance companies have only one concern in mind, and it is not you or your injuries.  Understand that you have the right to be evaluated and treated after an accident and do not let them bully you into anything less.

4.  Going to A Doctor for Prescriptions

Accident Victims may find themselves in the ER or an Urgent Care Center post-accident.  No matter what other treatment you may seek, nothing will help you heal more completely and faster than a chiropractor.  In fact, prescription and over-the-counter medications can delay your body’s natural healing processes. And you could be masking the underlying problem.

5.  Not Using the Most Qualified Chiropractor for Your Injury

Not all chiropractors are created equally.  Dr. Jason Crist has treated thousands of vehicle accident victims. He is familiar with all of the legalities of filing and keeping accident related paperwork in Franklin, TN. Dr. Crist has also had extended post-graduate training in dealing with the soft-tissue injuries seen in car accidents. He has used his training for decades to help victims reclaim their lives and all monies owed to them.

Injury Patterns Frequently Seen after an Accident:

Some post-car wreck injury patterns are obvious, such as neck and back pain.  Others are subtler and can include:

• Blurred vision
• Headache
• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Fatigue and Sleep Disturbances
• Irritability
• Impaired concentration and increased forgetfulness
• Ringing in the ears or increased noise sensitivity
• TMJ disorder or other jaw and facial pain
• Shoulder stiffness or pain
• Difficulty swallowing
• Upper limb weakness or pain

If you’ve been involved in a car wreck, whether you’re feeling symptoms or not, schedule a visit and evaluation with Dr. Crist at (615) 771-0022 as soon as possible.  This call will be one of the most important ones you make after your accident.