During 2020 many people were driving less, but more people were seriously injured or killed in accidents than during the previous year. Even during an average year, 4.4 million people in the US receive injuries from motor vehicle accidents that require medical attention. This statistic doesn’t take into account the thousands of other people who are injured in minor accidents. 

Often the injuries from a fender bender are not obvious and may take days to start causing pain. Whiplash and other back injuries from these minor accidents can cause chronic pain, especially if not treated promptly. If you have been injured in an accident, getting the right treatment at the right time is key. 

Car accidents also come with legal and insurance hassles that can get in the way of your care. It’s important to choose a personal injury healthcare provider who has experience working with accident victims and their insurance companies. 

Here are five questions to consider when seeking care after an accident.

1. Will My Provider Bill My Insurance?

Most insurance plans will cover chiropractic care if it’s needed as the result of a car accident. While many chiropractors can provide care for common accident-related injuries, they don’t all have experience working with insurance companies. Insurance codes and other technicalities can be the difference between covered care or an insurance hassle. Chiropractic clinics with office personnel trained to work with auto and health insurance providers are your best bet for a hassle-free experience. Experienced staff can ensure that all required documentation is turned in and treatments are coded correctly to be covered by insurance. The best personal injury clinics will bill the insurance company for you so that you can focus on healing. 

When looking for care after an accident, ask whether the clinic will bill your insurance, which insurances they accept, and how much experience their staff has with insurance claims. 

2. When Should I Seek Treatment?

After a minor accident, it can be tempting to go home and try to forget about the whole thing, but legally speaking, that’s the worst thing you can do. Seek medical treatment within 48 hours after the accident, even if you don’t think you are hurt. Many soft tissue and spine-related injuries don’t begin to hurt until a few days later. If you wait too long, you might forfeit your ability to have your medical care covered by insurance. 

What you say at the time of the accident and in the days following can help or harm your case. When speaking with police, the other driver and the insurance company never say that you’re “fine” or “not hurt.” If you claim an injury a few days later, they can use your initial statements against your claim. If someone asks you if you are OK after an accident, the best answer is, “only my medical provider can determine if I’m injured.”

Your next step should be to get examined. A thorough exam should include X-rays of the neck and back and a hands-on examination for soft tissue injuries. If your provider determines that you have been injured, then this exam will be covered by insurance. Prompt examination benefits you legally and medically. Beginning treatment soon after an injury increases your chances of a full recovery.

3. What Type of Treatment Options Should I Look For?

After examining your injuries, your chiropractor will create a treatment plan that is right for you. Some chiropractors only offer adjustments. While adjustments can be useful in treating accident-related injuries, they are often not enough by themselves to promote fast and complete healing. A clinic that provides several treatments will be better able to meet your needs.

 Soft tissue injuries, which are common after an accident, will respond to laser therapy, ultrasound therapy, and massage. Injuries involving the spinal discs can be treated with a mixture of adjustment and spinal decompression therapy. Therapeutic exercises, stretches, and nutritional advice should also be part of a complete personal injury treatment plan.

 You will not necessarily need all of these treatments, but most injuries require more than one mode of treatment. Personal injury treatment aims to reduce pain and inflammation, restore normal range of motion and help the body heal completely. A provider who can provide multiple treatments has the best chance of meeting these goals. 

4. What if the Other Driver was Uninsured?

Accidents involving uninsured or underinsured drivers can pose additional challenges for victims. In these situations, it’s best to seek the advice of an experienced personal injury lawyer. You won’t pay for the lawyer’s services unless they can get you money for your injury. At Stanlick Chiropractic, we offer referrals to personal injury lawyers that have served our clients well in the past. We won’t charge you anything for your care until the legal situation has been resolved. 

Most people who obtain a lawyer after an accident receive compensation for their injuries. You can use your settlement to pay for medical expenses and make up for income lost due to missed workdays. Since these situations can take some time to resolve, it’s important to pick a healthcare provider who understands the process and will work with you to see that you get the care you need without paying. 

5. When Should I Expect to Feel Better?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. In general, your pain should improve after your first week or two of treatments. How quickly you heal will depend on the severity of your injury, your general health, and how closely you follow your treatment plan. Our chiropractors will be honest with you about what you can expect. Most patients feel back to normal or nearly back to normal after completing treatment. Your chiropractor may recommend less frequent follow-up appointments to make sure that healing stays on track after you’ve reached your initial goals. Communicating with your chiropractor about your symptoms and progress will help him adjust your treatments to meet your needs. 

Personal Injury Treatment in Tennessee

At Stanlick Chiropractic, we provide a full spectrum of treatments to meet the needs of accident victims. Our staff has many years of experience working with insurance companies, and we will walk you through each step of the process. We also provide referrals to lawyers so you can get the compensation you need to pay for your medical care. If you’ve been injured in an accident, give us a call to find out how we can help you recover with less stress and hassle.