Brian White | August 12, 2022 | Car Accidents
If you believe you were injured in a car accident, seek immediate medical attention. You may need to go to the emergency room or urgent care facility to receive care or determine the extent of your injuries. Even without an apparent injury, it’s a good idea to see a doctor. You might also choose to see a chiropractor after your car accident injury. Continue reading to learn more about the importance of seeing a doctor after an accident, among other related topics.
What if the Car Accident Was a Minor Fender Bender?
Some car accidents do not cause severe injuries that require emergency medical services. However, that does not mean you were not injured in the car crash. It could take several hours or days for you to experience symptoms of some injuries.
If you did not seek emergency care immediately after the crash, it is wise to seek a doctor within one to three days after the accident. A physician can diagnose and treat soft tissue injuries, whiplash, and other latent injuries that are common after car accidents.
Should I See a Chiropractor After a Houston Car Accident?
Generally, you want to see a chiropractor as soon as possible after an automobile accident. Delaying medical care could give the insurance company grounds to deny your claim based on allegations that:
- You failed to mitigate your damages by seeking prompt medical treatment
- You faked or exaggerated your injuries to make a claim
- The accident did not cause your injuries
- You did not require treatment to recover from your injuries
However, you first want to be seen at the hospital or by a primary care physician. The physician diagnoses your injuries and can help determine if you need physical therapy or chiropractic care for back and neck pain.
If your primary care physician recommends chiropractic care, see a chiropractor immediately. Some people choose to see a chiropractor for neck and back pain after a car accident instead of going to a doctor. If you choose to go directly to a chiropractor, you should do so within two to three days after the car crash.
The chiropractor produces medical records that can help prove that the car crash caused your injuries. The chiropractor takes x-rays and performs a complete examination to determine the extent of your injuries.
Additionally, a chiropractor diagnoses the injuries and develops a treatment plan that supports your claim for other economic damages, such as lost wages and out-of-pocket expenses. Medical records also help support your claim for non-economic damages, including physical pain and emotional distress.
How Can a Chiropractor Help Me After a Car Accident?
If you experience back or neck pain after a car crash, chiropractic care might help. Chiropractic care can help treat the pain, swelling, and loss of motion caused by whiplash and other back injuries. It could also reduce the chance that your injuries could worsen.
A chiropractor can also identify other injuries requiring more extensive medical treatment. If so, the chiropractor can refer you to a surgeon or specialist to treat the injury.
What Are the Symptoms of Whiplash After a Car Accident?
Whiplash is a common car accident injury, especially in rear-end crashes. Many times a person may feel “fine” after a car wreck. However, they begin to experience the symptoms of whiplash within the next few days.
Signs of a whiplash injury include:
- Pain in the neck, back, shoulders, or arms
- Chronic headaches
- Stiffness
- Burning sensations or tingling
- Loss of range of motion
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Nausea
A chiropractor uses various treatments to reduce whiplash symptoms and help the patient heal. In addition, the treatments used by chiropractors can help treat back pack caused by a car accident.
Does Insurance Pay for Chiropractic Care After a Car Accident?
Texas is an at-fault state for car accident claims. That means the driver who caused the car accident is responsible for damages.
Texas drivers must have minimum liability insurance coverage for car accidents. Therefore, the driver’s car insurance company handles the accident claim.
Car accident claims include economic damages. Therefore, you should be able to receive reimbursement for necessary and reasonable medical treatment, including chiropractic treatment. You can also recover compensation for your pain and suffering or non-economic damages.
However, you must prove the elements of a negligence claim before you can recover money for your damages. That means you must prove:
- Duty of care – The other driver owed you a duty of care
- Breach of Duty – The other driver breached the duty of care through their action or inaction
- Causation – The breach of duty was the direct and proximate cause of your accident and injury
- Damages – You sustained damages because of the other party’s breach of duty
A car accident lawyer helps you prove fault and liability for a car accident. The attorney investigates the cause of the crash, gathers evidence proving negligence, and helps you document your damages. The lawyer also negotiates with the insurance company for the maximum value of your damages.
Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help
For more information, contact the Houston car accident law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers by calling (713) 500-5000.
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Houston, TX 77098
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