How Soon Should I Visit a Chiropractor After a Car Accident?

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Accidents happen all over the world, especially in busy states like California. Some are more serious than others, but all can cause injuries. If you have been in a car accident, you may wonder how long you should wait before getting a chiropractor appointment.

Should you go immediately facing a car crash? What if you don't feel injured? What if your injuries are minor? All of these are legit questions. So let's answer them one by one.

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How long should I wait before going to a chiropractor after a car accident?

Injuries after car accidents can range from minor to severe, and seeking treatment immediately after the accident is essential. Because when a medical professional examines your injuries, they will suggest, depending on the severity of your injuries, whether you should visit a chiropractor or not.

Sometimes, we feel fine after an accident and don't think we need to see a doctor. Our adrenaline is flowing, and we don't feel any pain. However, it's essential to get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible after an accident. Injuries from auto car accidents can take days or even weeks to develop, so getting a complete medical evaluation as soon as possible is essential.

Some injuries, like Whiplash, can take weeks to develop; it's vital to get checked out even if you don't feel pain immediately.

A chiropractor can help identify any injuries you may have, even if they don't appear serious. A person's personal health history, the type of accident, and other factors can all affect how soon they should see a chiropractor.

At McCrary Law Firm, we recommend that you see a doctor within 72 hours of facing this accident. Our experienced team of car accident lawyers has seen firsthand how important it is to seek treatment early. Suppose you wait too long to see a chiropractor, especially when the other party is at fault. In that case, the other insurance company may say your injuries are pre-existing or unrelated to the accident. Delaying your treatment will only make your condition worse. If you are in pain, the sooner you start treatment, the better.

What are the symptoms of Whiplash injuries?

  • Neck pain and stiffness
  • Shoulder pain and stiffness
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue

It's crucial to attend medical care with the above-mentioned synonyms. In addition, a chiropractor can help identify any injuries you may have, even if they don't appear serious.

Will I get Paid for Chiropractic Treatment?

One common question that accident victims have in mind is whether or not their insurance will cover chiropractic care. Sadly, many insurance companies try to deny coverage for chiropractic care, even though it is an essential part of treatment for many car accident injuries.

The good news is that there are a few ways to get coverage for your chiropractic care, even if your insurance company denies your claim. To increase your chances of getting coverage, we recommend the following:

Get a referral from your doctor

Many insurance companies will only cover chiropractic care if a medical doctor recommends it. Therefore, make sure your primary care physician gives you a referral before you seek treatment from a chiropractor.

Find a chiropractor specializing in car accident injuries

Find chiropractors for auto accident injuries rather than those who focus on other areas. These chiropractors are more likely to be familiar with the insurance process, which means they are more likely to get your insurance company to approve your claim. Make sure to find a chiropractor who has experience treating car accident victims so your chances of getting coverage from your insurance company.

Get a letter of medical necessity

Many insurance companies will only cover chiropractic care if there is a letter of medical necessity from a medical doctor. This letter states why you need chiropractic care and how it will help your recovery. Make sure to get a letter of medical necessity from your doctor before seeking treatment from a chiropractor.

Keep records of your treatment and progress

You need to record all chiropractic appointments, treatments, and progress. This will help you prove to your insurance company that the treatment is necessary and help you recover from your injuries.

Follow your treatment plan

Many insurance companies will only cover chiropractic care if it is part of a larger treatment plan that includes other medical professionals, like orthopedists or physical therapists. So follow your treatment plan and keep all appointments to increase your chances of getting coverage.

Appeal the decision

If your insurance company does not accept your claim, you have the right to appeal the decision. Make sure to gather all the evidence you need to support your appeal, like letters of medical necessity and records of your treatment and progress.

What if my accident was minor?

Just because your accident was minor doesn't mean you didn't suffer any injuries. Unfortunately, many people don't realize that even a minor car accident can cause serious injuries. As we discussed earlier, Whiplash is a typical car accident injury that can occur even in low-speed collisions.

It doesn't matter if the accident you faced was minor; we recommend you call your primary care physician and get his appointment as soon as possible. He can check for any injuries you may have suffered and recommend further treatment if necessary. But also make sure your primary care physician specializes in auto-car injuries, as not all doctors treat patients with auto-car injuries. This is due to the medical billing insurance system, which classifies codes differently for automobile accident patients.

What is the Maximum Time Should I Wait to Seek Treatment?

There is no maximum time limit for seeking treatment from a Chiropractor for a car accident. However, seeking treatment as soon as possible after the accident is essential. The sooner you seek treatment, the sooner you can start your recovery and get your life back on track.

It's also essential for insurance purposes. Insurance companies often deny claims if the victim didn't seek treatment within a specific time frame after the accident. This time frame can vary from insurance company to insurance company, so it's essential to check with your insurer. The law states every accident victim has a specific time to file a personal injury claim. This is called the statute of limitations.

In California, the statute of limitations for car accident injuries is two years from the date of the accident. It gives you two years to file a personal injury claim for your car accident injuries. But we still recommend not waiting until the last minute to seek medical attention and file a claim. We believe the sooner you seek treatment, the better your chances of getting coverage from your insurance company. And if you delay filing a claim, you may be barred from receiving any compensation for your injuries.

Also, remember sometimes, minor injuries can turn into significant injuries over time. For example, a minor neck pain injury can become a debilitating condition like chronic pain, or a back injury can turn into a herniated disc if it's not treated correctly. And a herniated disc can lead to chronic pain and disability if it's not treated correctly. So, seeing a chiropractor after a car accident is always a good idea, even if you don't think you have any injuries.

Contact A Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyer in Califronia

If you have faced any kind of injury in a car accident in california, contact McCrary Law Firm. Our experienced California car accident lawyers will manage your case from start to finish so that you can focus on your recovery. We recommend and believe in immediate care following an accident and will get you in to see one of our carefully curated providers as soon as possible. We also offer a free consultation so that you can learn more about your legal options without obligation. Contact us today at (855) 752-6326 to discuss your case; we are available 24/7.

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    McCrary Accident Injury Law Firm specializes in personal injury litigation. Its founder, Dan McCrary, Esq., spent 14 years working for the insurance companies before switching sides to represent personal injury victims in Rocklin as an attorney.

    Dan McCrary’s years of experience on the defense side taught him exactly how to obtain maximum recovery for his injured clients. If you have been injured in an accident you should contact the Accident & Injury Lawyers, Personal injury Attorney, Car accident lawyers at McCrary Accident Injury Law Firm in Rocklin, folsom, Sacramento to get the money you deserve, and overcome the tactics routinely employed by the insurance companies.