Whiplash Auto Injuries

Whiplash Auto Injuries

Before you do anything else, read ALL of the following information. It is important that you understand your situation and are fully aware of your options so you can make important decisions regarding your health.

What is the biggest mistake you can make?

Car accidents and injuries can happen to anyone, anytime. One of the biggest mistakes that accident victims make is not receiving a thorough examination by a trained doctor who is experienced in treating accident related injuries. Unfortunately, most victims deal with things in the following order:

  • "Who is going to fix my car?"
  • "What will I drive in the mean time?"
  • "Will my insurance rates go up?"
  • "Who is going to pay for this?"
  • And the last thing on their mind is:"Am I Really O.K.?"

Following an accident you may experience obvious pains and symptoms like muscle stiffness or spasm, neck pain, headaches, numbness and tingling, back pain, trouble sleeping, memory loss, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Or worse, you may be injured and feel nothing at all.

What is this going to cost me?

It is extremely rare for a patient at our office to pay out of pocket expenses for auto accident related treatment. Because our office accepts liens, we will only collect once the insurance company has paid for the treatment and there will be NO out of pocket expense to you, the patient.

In fact, we have NEVER had a case at our office where the patient had to personally pay for their treatment following a motor vehicle accident.

Are my car insurance premiums going to go increase if I receive treatment?

NO!

By law, your insurance company can NOT raise your insurance rates because you used your medical coverage.

You have a right to use this medical coverage.

In fact, in North Carolina, most drivers have medical coverage called “Med Pay” as part of their auto insurance policy and don’t even know it. Most of the time, it is included in your policy because it is very inexpensive. It is the cheapest form of insurance available on your car insurance and one of the most important you can buy. $10,000 in medical pay coverage averages about $13.50 for six months ($2.25 per month) and $25,000 averages about $17.50 for six months ($2.91 per month). It can be applied to anyone involved in the Med-Pay insured vehicle.

Med-Pay can also aid in the amount you receive in your personal injury settlement.

I understand that this can be confusing, so please call us today for a free consultation so that we can help you understand your medical rights. – 910.371.1200

Why do you need to seek treatment immediately even if you are NOT in pain?

It is not uncommon, and is well documented in the literature, that symptoms can appear long after the injury has occurred. For instance, I’m sure at one point in your life you performed an activity, went for a run, or lifted weights and did not immediately feel sore. Then after a few days, you start to feel the tight and achy muscles as a result of that activity.

The most important reason to seek treatment immediately is to reduce the inflammatory response and limit tissue injury. One study found that cases where there was a delay in treatment onset of more than 24 hours the symptoms lasted nearly twice as long as compared to the average.

Did you know...

Auto accidents can cause post-traumatic osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis can ruin your posture (giving you a slumped or hump back appearance). Osteoarthritis can cause the discs in your spine to degenerate and create scar tissue leading to chronic stiffness and the inability to move properly.

As a matter of fact...

  • Most Doctors Are Not Trained In The Detection Of These Hidden Injuries...
  • If you have been in an auto accident, you need a doctor who is trained in the biomechanics of the human body; someone who treats these injuries every day. In addition, x-rays can be taken to find out if there has been any structural damage. In our office, we evaluate auto accident victims and make any appropriate referrals to other health care providers if needed.
  • Our primary responsibility is giving you the care you need and submitting the required medical reports to the insurance company or attorney so your rights are protected.

If we can't help you, we will refer you to a doctor or facility that can.

Why is it important to act A.S.A.P.?

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard patients say, "I have a bad back/neck because I was in an accident a long time ago. I also have tingling down my arms."

These are the people who did not receive treatment following their accident. For these people, the scar tissue has built up, the muscles shut down (get stiff and tight), and the joints become fixated. The sooner you come in for an evaluation, the easier it will be for us to eliminate inflammation and reduce scar tissue formation, making your treatments more successful.

Unless you have someone as an advocate for your case, you could easily go without receiving the care and rehab you need. That is why we actively work with attorneys and medical doctors to manage your case. Painkillers and muscle relaxers are nice to take the edge off, but they won't do anything to help your tissues heal correctly or rehabilitate the muscles that were injured and torn in the accident. At North Brunswick Chiropractic, we do a complete and detailed physical exam and analysis to make sure that all of your conditions resulting from the accident are treated correctly and appropriately so that you can go back to enjoying the things you love to do.

Why come to us?

Here at North Brunswick Chiropractic we will:

  • accept your case on a lien basis – meaning you Pay NOTHING
  • protect your medical rights
  • help you find legal representation if needed
  • order police reports, emergency reports, and any other reports needed
  • perform a thorough history of the accident
  • conduct a complete & detailed exam
  • determine type and frequency of care based on your specific diagnosis
  • communicate with insurance adjusters
  • communicate with your lawyer

We also generate a detailed professional medical legal document describing your injuries and treatment. Your attorney will love us! Our medical documentation is extremely detailed and complete and makes it easy for your attorney or insurance adjustor to get you the settlement you deserve. Your case heavily depends on the quality of the medical report from your doctor. Your rights need to be protected!

We treat auto accident patients every day with very successful outcomes. Schedule a free consultation today to see if we can help! Call (910) 371-1200

For more reasons to choose North Brunswick Chiropractic click here

My car is hardly damaged, so I’m probably fine?
The speed of the collision and damage to the vehicle can be very misleading. Federal motor vehicle safety standards mandate that all cars sold in or imported to the U.S. have either a 2.5 or a 5 mph bumper. What happens when two cars, each equipped with 5 mph bumpers, collide at 9 mph? They would likely be able to absorb the energy with the bumper sustaining most of the damage. However, much of this energy is transferred directly to the occupant of the vehicle, and this means whiplash.

Forces generated to the person in a whiplash injury have been shown to be 2.5 times the forces sustained by the vehicle. And, although insurance industry-funded crash testing has shown that 5 mph is the real threshold for neck injuries, you'll never hear them admit it publicly. If 5 mph can cause damage to your spine, imagine what will happen at 30, 40 or even 50 miles per hour! If you or someone you know has been involved in an auto accident, you NEED to get your spine checked immediately.

Other Frequently Ask Questions Regarding Auto Accidents

  • Q: The insurance company has been calling me and wants me to settle, what should I do?
    A: Do NOT sign or settle until you have been evaluated for your injuries. Once you settle your case, you lose the right to have your insurance company pay for any needed treatment. If you are injured in a car accident, you should get the care you need to get back to the way you felt and functioned just before the accident.
  • Q: What is whiplash?
    A: The important thing to know is that the head and neck of the injured person are accelerated 3 to 5 times faster than the acceleration of the car. This sudden change in speed produces damage to muscles, nerves, and ligaments and causes neck pain and other problems. It is estimated that there are about 3 million whiplash injuries per year in the United States, according to Dr. Arthur Croft of the Spine Research Institute of San Diego. Several studies show that a large percentage of whiplash victims still have pain years after their crashes. Our treatment along with supportive therapies can make a big difference and help car accident victims avoid years of suffering.
  • Q: What are the symptoms of whiplash?
    A: Whiplash symptoms can often include much more than just neck pain. You may experience headaches, shoulder pain, upper back pain, muscle stiffness, arm pain, numbness and tingling, and the development of trigger points in the neck and upper back.
  • Q: Should I see an attorney before I see my chiropractor?
    A: It is important to get checked out by a doctor first. The information from your exam will help you determine if an attorney is necessary for your case. If necessary, we can refer you to a reputable and qualified attorney.
  • Q: I've been to the hospital and my medical doctor, do I really need to see a Chiropractor?
    A: You need to see a doctor who focuses on the treatment and diagnosis of auto accident injuries. Hospitals typically check vital signs, make sure there are no life-threatening conditions and release the patient with pain relief medication. They often do not address the underlying musculoskeletal injuries that if go untreated, may lead to future pain.
    If your M.D. has given you pills, you must understand that pills do not correct structural or soft tissue damage. There are special therapies designed for that, and we offer these modalities at our office.
  • Q: Does chiropractic care hurt?
    A: Absolutely not. The care is very gentle and quite soothing. Most patients can hardly wait to receive their care.
  • Q: Is chiropractic care safe?
    A: Yes. Extremely safe, especially when compared to the side effects of taking prescription medication.

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