Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries
Dr. Elizabeth Whooley is a chiropractor practicing in Winter Park, FL. Dr. Whooley specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions associated with the neuromusculoskeletal system, while improving each patient's functionality and quality of life. Conditions treated include sciatica, neck pain, and arthritis... more
Getting into an accident can be a very stressful time. Immediate concerns are about calling the police, damage to your vehicle, getting a rental vehicle, and contacting your insurance company. Once the shock has worn off, you may wonder about getting an attorney and/or seeking medical care. You should consider seeing a chiropractor even when the accident seemed "minor".
You can be injured from a low-speed collision and not be aware of your symptoms until some time has passed. This can mean up to a week or two. (Florida residents, see below for more information about the 14-Day Rule). Even if you do go to the hospital, you should consider additional care after you have been released. The healing time following an accident can be 2 to 3 months or even longer in some cases.
The most common injuries from motor vehicle accidents include whiplash, concussions, soft tissue injuries, herniated and/or bulging discs, headaches, back pain, and neck pain. Many people think that they will heal over time and not seek additional care. The body is incredible in its healing design but very often, it needs help. This is even more true if you have had any past trauma that may have left you more susceptible to injury.
Everyone who was in the accident should have an examination. This includes your children. I have unfortunately had patients who were in their pre-teen years sustain disc herniations from car accidents. If the accident was moderate to severe in nature, you may have to replace any car seats located within the vehicle, even if they were not in use at the time of impact according to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). It's always best to check with the car seat manufacturer for their guidelines on replacing car seats that were involved in an accident.
Chiropractors are specially trained to examine the body and diagnose conditions requiring treatment. Treatment may not only speed up the healing process but also improve the efficiency of healing. Depending on the severity of your injury, advanced imaging may be ordered such as MRI or CT studies. Your care will be customized based on your condition presentation, pain level, and accident details.
The Florida 14-Day Rule (PIP - Personal Injury Protection) was last updated in 2013 and stated that motor vehicle accident victims in the state of Florida need to seek medical care within 14 days of the accident to receive compensation for their medical bills. This stipulation is helpful in that injured people will seek care before their condition has time to worsen. Also, having that initial evaluation can show causality between the accident and the injuries sustained.
Seeking an initial consult following a motor vehicle accident is a great way to protect yourself from unnecessary pain and suffering in the future. You owe it to yourself to be as healthy and happy as you can be. Remember, "it's better to be safe than sorry".
