What to Do If You Are Hurt in a Car Accident

Car accidents happen suddenly. You may know immediately that you are injured, or you may initially feel only shaken up and think you can simply brush it off. Then, two or three days later, you may notice a headache, neck pain, back pain, ankle pain, or other symptoms.

Delayed pain after a car accident is common. It is possible to feel relatively normal immediately after a crash and develop symptoms hours or even days later. Adrenaline and the stress of an accident can temporarily mask pain, while inflammation and soft-tissue injuries may take time to become noticeable.

If you are experiencing pain or other unusual symptoms after a car accident, it is important to get evaluated. Early evaluation and appropriate treatment can help identify injuries and get you on the right path toward recovery.

What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident

If your accident was more than a minor fender-bender, you may know right away that something is wrong. Symptoms that warrant prompt medical attention can include:

Severe or worsening pain
Significant headache
Dizziness or confusion
Feeling unusually dazed
Loss of consciousness
Difficulty walking or moving
Numbness or weakness
Significant bleeding
Trouble speaking, seeing, or staying alert

If you hit your head, are significantly dazed or confused, or have difficulty moving or walking, seek prompt medical evaluation at an emergency room or urgent care facility, depending on the severity of your symptoms.

A medical evaluation may include a physical examination and, when appropriate, imaging such as X-rays or CT scans. Emergency and urgent care providers are primarily focused on identifying and treating serious or potentially life-threatening injuries. They may diagnose injuries such as sprains, strains, or whiplash and provide initial treatment recommendations.

However, your care may not end after your emergency room or urgent care visit. Many common car accident injuries involve muscles, joints, ligaments, and other soft tissues and may require follow-up care.

What If You Don’t Feel Pain Right Away?

One of the most important things to understand after a car accident is that you do not necessarily have to feel pain immediately to have an injury.

Some people feel relatively normal immediately following a collision and develop symptoms later. Neck pain, back pain, headaches, muscle soreness, and other symptoms may appear over the following hours or days.

This is one reason it is important to pay attention to how you feel after an accident. If new pain or other symptoms develop, don’t simply assume that they will go away on their own.

If you begin experiencing symptoms days or even weeks after a collision, consider getting evaluated by an appropriate healthcare professional.

Who Should You See for Car Accident Injuries?

After serious injuries have been ruled out, you may need to see a healthcare provider who specializes in musculoskeletal injuries—injuries involving the muscles, joints, ligaments, and other structures of the body.

A chiropractor can be one option for evaluating and treating these types of injuries following a car accident.

A chiropractic examination may include:

Range-of-motion testing
Orthopedic testing
Neurological testing
Evaluation of the spine and other joints
Assessment of muscles and soft tissues
X-rays when clinically appropriate
Referral for additional imaging, such as an MRI, when necessary

The goal of the examination is to identify areas of injury and determine an appropriate treatment plan.

Chiropractic Treatment After a Car Accident

Car accidents can place significant forces on the body. Whiplash, for example, can occur when the head and neck are rapidly moved during a collision.

Depending on the individual’s injuries and examination findings, chiropractic treatment may include joint manipulation or adjustments, soft-tissue therapy, therapeutic exercise, and other rehabilitative approaches.

At Barlas Chiropractic, treatment may include light chiropractic adjustments, Active Release Technique (ART) soft-tissue therapy, Graston Technique soft-tissue therapy, and therapeutic exercise when appropriate.

These treatments are intended to help reduce pain, restore mobility, and support your recovery.

Massage therapy and acupuncture may also be appropriate for some patients as part of a broader treatment plan. Your treatment should be based on your individual symptoms, examination findings, and overall health.

Should You See a Medical Doctor After a Car Accident?

It can be appropriate to see a medical doctor following a car accident, particularly when you have significant symptoms or concerns that require medical evaluation.

Medical doctors and chiropractors can play different roles in the management of car accident injuries. A medical doctor may evaluate your overall medical condition, prescribe medications when appropriate, order imaging, and refer you to other healthcare professionals.

A chiropractor can provide focused evaluation and treatment for many musculoskeletal injuries associated with car accidents, including injuries involving the spine, joints, and soft tissues.

Depending on your circumstances, you may benefit from care from more than one type of healthcare provider.

Should You Hire a Personal Injury Attorney After a Car Accident?

If you have been injured in a car accident, you may also want to speak with a personal injury attorney.

An experienced personal injury attorney can explain your legal rights and help you understand how medical bills, insurance claims, and potential compensation for your injuries may be handled.

Working with a personal injury attorney does not necessarily mean that you are suing the person who caused the accident. In many cases, the attorney’s role is to help you navigate the insurance and personal injury claim process.

If you have significant injuries, expect to need ongoing treatment, or are having difficulty dealing with insurance companies, a consultation with a qualified personal injury attorney may be worthwhile.

Don’t Ignore Pain After a Car Accident

Whether you feel injured immediately or develop symptoms several days later, don’t ignore changes in how you feel after a collision.

Neck pain, back pain, headaches, stiffness, muscle soreness, and other symptoms can occur after a car accident. Getting evaluated can help determine what may be causing your symptoms and what steps you should take next.

The sooner you understand what is going on, the sooner you can make an informed decision about your care.

Get Evaluated After a Car Accident in Seattle

If you have been injured in a car accident, call Barlas Chiropractic at 206-954-7479. I would be happy to provide a comprehensive evaluation and help you take the first steps toward recovery.

You can also download and message us through the Barlas Chiropractic App:

You can also email us at drjafferbarlas@gmail.com or contact Barlas Chiropractic through our website.

Following an appropriate evaluation, patients at Barlas Chiropractic may be treated with light chiropractic adjustments, Active Release Technique soft-tissue therapy, Graston Technique soft-tissue therapy, and therapeutic exercise to help reduce pain and improve mobility as they recover.

Yours in health,

Dr. Jaffer Barlas