Dealing with a Sore Back
We often see accident victims make one big mistake in the moments after the wreck: minimizing their injuries. They may say things like, “I’m fine!” or “It’s just a scratch.” Often, this is because they are relieved not to have sustained obviously catastrophic injuries, like broken bones or deep wounds. Adrenaline, which surges through the body as a response to a stressful situation, may also prevent someone from feeling pain at that moment.
How will I know if I need medical attention after a wreck?
While we strongly recommend seeking medical care after a car accident, even one that seems minor, there is no law or set standard for how that should look. Should you call an ambulance? Go to the Emergency Room? Make an appointment with your primary care physician (PCP) the next day?
The first thing to evaluate is the level of pain you’re experiencing. Some injuries obviously warrant emergency care, including major bleeding, head trauma, and difficulty breathing. You should also consider going to an Emergency Room if you are experiencing head or neck pain since upper neck and spine injuries can occur even in low-speed collisions and often have lasting consequences.
What are the most common injuries following a car accident?
1. Whiplash is one of the most common injuries resulting from a car accident. Whiplash occurs when your head and neck are suddenly jerked back and forth (like the cracking of a whip…hence the name). It most often occurs in rear-end collisions. Symptoms include neck pain, stiffness, and headaches. Most of those symptoms resolve over time but may require medication, therapy, or chiropractic work. A smaller number will suffer from chronic neck problems and pain afterward. Other, more serious possible neck injuries include disc injury and cervical radiculopathy (irritated nerves).
2. Concussions are another well-known car wreck injury and are usually caused by hitting your head on part of the car, like the steering wheel or window, giving your brain a “jolt” that can actually cause it to move in your skull. A concussion is actually classified as a mild traumatic brain injury. Signs of a concussion may include confusion, slurred speech, nausea or vomiting, headaches, blurred vision, or memory loss. A doctor will be able to diagnose a concussion.
3. Back Injuries – Your spine is divided into three different sections: cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae. With all of the discs, muscles, tendons, and nerves in your spinal area, a back injury may be very painful. In a car wreck, back injuries can range from strained muscles or dislocated discs to serious spinal cord trauma. In many cases, chiropractic work or physical therapy can relieve pain and help realign your spine, but some injuries may require surgery to restore mobility. You should never ignore back pain after being in an accident.
4. Leg and Knee Injuries – Most people think of upper-body injuries when discussing car wrecks, but your legs and knees are also at risk. This usually results when a passenger hits their knees or legs on the dashboard, or when part of the car is smashed inward. The knee area, with its ligaments and tendons, is especially prone to injury. Other possible injuries include fractures, broken bones, or cuts and bruises.
What if I don’t experience pain at the scene of the accident, but it develops later?
There are typically 3 types of medical care to consider when you’re experiencing pain after an accident: emergency room, primary care physician, chiropractor.
Emergency Room
It’s important to remember that your decision about whether to seek emergency treatment at the accident scene doesn’t have to be final. If you go home and feel an onset of significant pain a few hours later, you can still go to the emergency room. ER physicians have experience with traumatic accidents, and they’ll be able to give you a realistic evaluation, including x-rays.
Primary Care Physician
If you decide that your injuries don’t warrant emergency treatment after the accident, it’s still important to set up an appointment with your Primary Care Physician.
Why should I consider seeing my family doctor if I didn’t go to the emergency room?
The longer you wait to see a doctor after a car wreck, the more difficult it will be to prove that your injuries were caused by the collision. You also put your own health at risk by neglecting to see medical help. If you choose to file a personal injury claim after the wreck, it’s vital to have documentation of a doctor’s evaluation, medical treatment, and medical bills.
Chiropractor
If a doctor determines that your injuries are “soft tissue” (that is, not broken bones or skin lacerations, but muscle and tissue strain), then you should consider treating with a local chiropractor. Chiropractors are medical professionals who treat soft tissue injuries. Your chiropractor will ask you about your injuries, perform an exam, and then work with you to create a treatment plan. Chiropractors often treat using “adjustments,” therapeutic manipulation using force applied in specific directions at specific points on your body. This will help regain mobility and relieve pain over time.
What are the benefits of seeing a chiropractor?
While you’re likely planning to visit a chiropractor for your accident-related injuries, many people regularly see chiropractors as part of routine health maintenance. They’re looking for treatment and healing, not merely symptom relief. You may find this especially appealing as well.
Research indicates that chiropractic care can assist with neck pain, headaches, and acute back pain (pain lasting no longer than 6 weeks that gradually improves). Through manual adjustments and manipulation of the spine, chiropractors are able to safely and effectively alleviate pain.
Manipulation aligns the body properly and restores mobility to joints restricted by soft tissue injuries resulting from an accident.
How to choose the best chiropractor?
If you are the victim of a car accident, your chiropractic treatments may be covered as part of your personal injury claim.
Choosing the right chiropractor means finding a chiropractor who can work with your schedule, someone you’re comfortable with, and someone with experience. Speak with more than one chiropractor in order to make an educated and informed decision.
If you have an attorney, you should talk with your attorney to learn more about your options for medical treatment and the path to healing. At Taylor King Law, we offer free consultations and can refer you to a chiropractor who can help you finding healing.
Injured in a Car Wreck?
If you were involved in a car wreck, it may be wreaking havoc on your life. You may be without a vehicle or unable to work, with medical bills and car repairs piling up. You may fear that your financial stability and good credit history are at risk.
The good news is that if the other driver was at fault, you have options. The attorneys at Taylor King Law are prepared to handle the legal proceedings and negotiate with the insurance companies to ensure you receive fair compensation. Our law firm has helped thousands of accident victims in over 25 years of legal practice.
At Taylor King Law, we handle your case like a long-distance race, not a sprint. We will always work to settle your case as quickly as possible so that you can get your bills paid and move on with your life, but we will never cut corners or allow the insurance company to take advantage of you. It’s a process, and we are honored to walk through it alongside you. Because our attorney’s fee is a percentage of your settlement, if there is no settlement then there is no fee.
Don’t allow someone else’s negligence to permanently impact your life. Protect your rights and hire an experienced attorney.
From obtaining your police report to helping you find the right chiropractor and ensuring your medical bills are paid, we’re committed to being on your side – by your side.
If you think you may have a case or have questions, call our local office in Jackson, Mississippi, at 601.385.0582 or reach us at our toll-free number 1.800.CAR.WRECK for a free consultation. You can also reach us online by filling out the form below or using our online chat feature 24/7.
About Taylor King
“The best part of practicing, for me, has always been working with clients, explaining legal issues to people who don’t have a background in law. I took my first personal injury case in 1992 when a client brought me the stack of letters she had received from personal injury lawyers after she was involved in a car accident. Instead of hiring one of those firms, she asked me to represent her. As I worked with more and more people who had been seriously injured, I realized that many people do not know their rights as accident victims.
Eventually, I started the Taylor King law firm to meet the needs of my friends and neighbors. Our first office was a two-room, 125-year-old building in downtown Arkadelphia.
We’ve grown since then; today we have a team of more than 20 attorneys and over 50 professional staff members who are ready to help. With an office in Jackson, Mississippi, we’ve got you covered.”
— Taylor King
Office in Jackson
401 East Capitol Street, Suite 216, Heritage Building, Jackson, MS 39201
- Toll-Free 1.800.CAR.WRECK
- Out of State 1.877.213.5660
- Local 601.385. 0582
- Fax 769.572.4575