Have You Been in an Auto Accident?

You may need chiropractic care.

Insurance companies realize the many advantages of chiropractic care, and chiropractic treatment is usually fully covered by automobile insurance policies, no matter who is at fault, and no matter whether you were the driver, a passenger, or a pedestrian. We will help you submit the necessary insurance paper work and file a claim with your insurance company.

Even if you are not currently in pain, there nevertheless may be underlying and hidden damage to your spinal column, which may not manifest itself as a serious impairment of bodily function for months or even years. A visit to our office may end up saving you years of grief and unrelenting pain.

According to the Insurance Research Council, nearly 1/3 of all claimants injured in motor vehicle accidents (MVA's) seek treatment from doctors of chiropractic. This is an impressive number given that the National Safety Council (NSC) has determined there to be more than 12 million MVA's annually involving more than 20 million vehicles.

The reason individuals choose chiropractic care for treatment of injuries sustained in MVA's is simple - chiropractic care is exceptional in the treatment of soft tissue injuries, especially of the spine. Since the most common injuries associated with MVA's are sprains and strains of the spinal muscles and ligaments, it's only natural that chiropractic be the treatment of choice.

Many studies have also found individuals injured in MVA's prefer chiropractic care for the treatment of their injuries. One such study evaluated 190 whiplash injury victims and found those who received chiropractic care reported treatment satisfaction of 100%.

Few people realize that an untreated neck or back injury from a car accident is likely to develop into arthritis in later years, adding more pain and debilitation to the situation.

Pain From Auto Accidents Can Linger On for Years,
and Many People Suffer from Whiplash and Don't Know It!

Some injuries are hidden so well that unless you are examined by someone trained in structural damage, the symptoms may not appear for years.

Whiplash Symptoms Can Be Deceiving

Many people who suffer from the effects of whiplash are unaware of their injury at the time of the accident. Everyone recognizes the symptoms of a severe whiplash, the type of injury that happens in an automobile accident when the head is snapped in a forward and then a backward motion. Few people, however, realize that even a slight jolt to the neck can result in problems later on. The reason is that so many vital nerves, muscles, and blood vessels are located in the neck that even a minor sudden jolt can cause damage.

It is important to note that almost every person involved in a moving vehicle accident suffers a whiplash injury to some degree. Recent studies have shown that the normal neck can withstand a forward snapping motion 50 times the force of gravity before producing an injury. However, in the case of a backward rebounding motion, only 5 times the force of gravity can be tolerated. An automobile traveling only 25 miles an hour creates 3,400 pounds of force. The impact of a crash at this speed will place several tons of force on the victim's neck.

It is quite common for there to be no discomfort immediately after an accident. When the vertebrae are misaligned after a jolt, it may take some time before the irritation of the nerves caused by the misalignment becomes severe enough to produce the symptoms associated with a whiplash injury. These symptoms include headaches, blurred vision, stiffness or pain in the area of the neck, or tingling in the arms and shoulders.

For these reasons, it is important to visit Associated Chiropractic Clinics & Medical Centers immediately after any injury to the neck, no matter how slight. Through careful monitoring and gentle, corrective adjustments, may help you avoid serious neck problems later.

• A Consultation With One Of Our Doctors Is Always Available.
• New Patients Are Usually Seen The Same Day.
• If You Need Chiropractic Care, We Can Provide It.
• If You Need Medical Care In Conjunction With Our Services, We Will Refer You To A Medical Specialist Experienced In Treating Auto Injuries. Medical Neurology Services Are Offered On Site.
• If You Need Legal Advice, We Can Recommend A Quality Attorney Who Will Provide A Free Initial Consultation.
• We Accept Auto Insurance Or Attorney Representation.
• We Will File ALL Insurance Claim Forms For You. Auto Accident Injuries Are Usually Covered 100% By Insurance.
• We Provide Diagnostic Testing, Physiotherapy, Diagnostic X-Ray Evaluations And Rehabilitation.
• Our Doctors Will Provide Disability And Impairment Ratings As Well As Expert Testimony If Indicated.

Together, Our Team Will Make Sure That You Are Properly Treated, Your Injuries Are Allowed To Fully And Correctly Heal, And Your Legal Rights Are Protected.

Things to Do Immediately After an Accident:

1. Make sure you immediately attend to your injuries.
2. Schedule an exam with a chiropractor within 24 hours of a fall, accident, or injury. Even if you feel your injuries are minor, a consultation with one of our doctors is always done at no charge.
3. Report an accident to the police and your own insurance company. If the injury occurred on someone else's property, immediately notify the owner, landlord, or manager of the property.
4. Consult with an attorney. Make sure you understand your rights. Most attorneys will provide an initial consultation at no charge. If you are unsure of which attorney to use, we would be happy to recommend one with extensive experience in personal injury law.
5. Call a skilled chiropractor who understands the unique injuries caused by auto accidents. Since we never charge for a consultation with a doctor, there is no reason not to schedule an appointment after every accident or injury.
6. Do not give statements about the accident to anyone other than the police.
7. Do not miss your scheduled medical/chiropractic appointments. Doing so may create the false impression that your injuries were not serious; that you weren't making your best effort to get well; or that you made your injuries worse by failing to adhere to the recommended treatment.
8. Do not sign any documents without consulting with an attorney. Many insurance companies will quickly try to get you to sign a release from further liability by offering a small amount of money (usually a few hundred dollars). Once a release is signed, you can't go back and ask for more, even if you're still hurt, or get worse (which may happen if your injuries are left untreated).
9. Do not allow the liability insurance company to review your medical records without consulting an attorney.

The 8 Most Serious Mistakes You Can Make if You
Have Just Been Injured or Have Been In an
Automobile Accident:

Mistake #1: Failing To Seek Immediate Treatment From A Specialist After An Accident.

Each year, 10% of the population will be involved in an automobile accident. 20% of all accidents lead to SERIOUS and long-term injuries, yet 30% of those involved never seek treatment.

Mistake #2: Taking Pain Medications And Muscle Relaxers To Mask An Injury.

Pain is your body's alarm bell telling you something is wrong. Masking pain with medication is like taking the batteries out of the smoke detector. You are turning off the alarm instead of putting out the fire.

Mistake #3: Not Treating the Cause Of Your Pain After An Accident.

Drugs only mask your pain for a few hours. When they wear off, your symptoms return. In our clinics, we put 100% of our focus on reducing your pain by focusing on the cause of your pain. This approach has helped thousands of our patients to heal properly.

Mistake #4: Not Consulting With A Skilled Professional Who Specializes In Fast, Effective Pain Relief For Injuries Caused By Automobile Accidents, Work-Related Injuries, And Other Minor Trauma.

Mistake #5: Not Making A Chiropractic Visit Your Top Priority After An Accident.

Chiropractic focuses on correcting the cause of your pain, not simply "covering it up."

Mistake #6: Not Knowing That Auto Insurance Usually Pays For Treatment Without Up-front Fees.

Our office will work with your attorney, insurance adjuster, or private insurance company, to avoid payment of services out of your pocket.

Mistake #7: Confusing What's Most Urgent With What's Most Important.

So many people focus their entire lives on what's urgent at the moment, instead of focusing on what's most important. Make sure scheduling a consultation at one of our offices carries the utmost importance.

Mistake #8: Procrastinating After an Accident.

Why procrastinate if you are in pain? Call the office most convenient for you TODAY! A consultation with the doctor is always at no charge, and we can better assess your needs after speaking with you.

(Reference: Osborne Chiropractic Clinic)