Buckle-Up Butter-Cup, “The Storm of The Century Arrives This Week!” The weathermen are predicting that Southern California will actually receive a rare phenomenon known as, rain. I know a few of you have seen this stuff before but driving in it, on our So. Cal. freeways, is like blind-folded, bumper cars at a carnival – OUCH!. What is it with some people when there’s a little water on the ground? It’s like everything they ever knew about driving just vanished from their memory. Not to mention – those who will be texting in the rain or day dreaming on their cell phone.
I am sure that all of my clients are amazing, defensive drivers and that a little rain is nothing. What I am not so sure about is the other million people on the road. Let’s live in present time people! So, I prepared a little write-up just in case of, well, you know.
I will be sending another newsletter in a few days on Low Back Pain, Clinical Nutrition and Bio-Identical Hormones.
What You Should Know If You Have Been Involved In An Auto Accident
Did you know that one of the most stressful aspects of living in our modern, fast-paced life is dealing with the problems that arise after an auto accident? Were you also aware that some auto accident injuries are hidden and are seldom detected for months or even years? As a result, two things can occur when an injury is not taken care of properly, or the accident victims settle their case with the insurance companies before getting evaluated from a doctor trained in soft tissue injuries.
… This Could Be A Big Mistake.
Why? Because once you settle your case, you and any passenger will lose the right to have the insurance company pay for treatment if you need it. A good rule of thumb is to be informed of your rights and then make a decision. It is our position that if you were indeed injured, you should get the care you need to get you back to the way you felt and functioned just before the accident.
It is not the responsibility of the insurance company to pay for anything more than that. They are not responsible for pre-existing injuries; only the injuries sustained from the accident. Even if you are just sore, you should get checked out immediately because you may experience pain, numbness, headaches, muscle stiffness, fatigue, and other problems including arthritis many months down the road. Remember, nothing is more important than your health, especially when you start to lose it.
Here’s where the problem begins… Most people who are involved in an auto accident have one thing on their mind: their automobile!
- “Common questions include:
- “Who is going to fix my car?”
- “What will I drive in the mean time?”
- “Will my insurance rates go up?”
- “Who is going to pay for it?”
- And the last thing on their mind is: “Am I Really O.K.?”
Not only are auto accidents an inconvenience and a hassle, a common redundant complaint of auto accident victims is that they don’t feel like their normal selves. You may also be experiencing obvious pains and symptoms like muscle stiffness or spasm, neck pain, headaches, numbness and tingling, back pain, difficulty sleeping, irritability, memory loss, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and many other difficulties. Or worse than that, you may be injured and feel nothing at all.
Either way, did you know that auto accidents can cause post-traumatic osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis can ruin your posture (giving you a slumped or hump back appearance). Osteoarthritis can cause the discs in your spine to degenerate and create scar tissue formation leading to chronic stiffness and the inability to move properly.
As a matter of fact…
- Most doctors are not trained in the detection of these hidden injuries…
- If you have been in an auto accident, you need a doctor who is trained in the biomechanics of the human body; someone who treats these injuries every day. In addition, x-rays can be taken to find out if there has been any structural damage. The most highly trained doctor who is qualified to treat this type of soft tissue injury is a Chiropractor.
- In my office, I can evaluate auto accident victims and make any appropriate referrals to other health care professionals if needed.
- My primary responsibility is giving you the care if you need it, and submitting the required medical reports to the insurance company, so your rights are protected.
If I can’t help you, I will refer you to a doctor or facility that can.
If you have been in an auto accident recently, there are some important decisions you have to make, and if I were you, I’d make these decisions very carefully.
Q: Should I See An Attorney Before I See My Chiropractor?
A: It is important to get checked out by the doctor first. That way the findings from your exam will allow you the information you need in order to decide if an attorney is necessary. If necessary, we can refer you to a reputable and qualified attorney.
Q: What If My Car Sustained Only Minor Damage?
A: Documented studies done by Charles Carroll, M.D., Paul McAtee, M.D. and Lee Riley, M.D. revealed that: “The amount of damage to the automobile bears little relation to the force applied to the cervical spine (neck) of the occupants.”
In other words, the damage to the passengers is not necessarily directly related to the damage to the vehicle.
Q: If I Need Treatment For This Injury, Do I Have To Pay For It Myself?
A: No, only in very rare circumstances does the patient pay for his care as he goes. My office provides care “on credit” when patients are represented by an attorney. Some car insurance policies have what is called “Med Pay.” This means that medical bills will be paid at 100% up to a certain limit. My office can assist you in obtaining this information.
Using your medical coverage should not raise your premiums.
Q: The Insurance Company Has Been Calling Me And Wants To Settle, What Should I Do?
A: Do not sign or settle until you have had us evaluate your injury for you. If you settle before your injury is fully resolved, you will be completely on your own and will have to pay out of pocket for your care.
Q: I’ve Been To The Hospital And My Medical Doctor, Do I Really Need to See a Chiropractor?
A: You need a doctor who focuses in the treatment and diagnosis of auto accident injuries. Usually hospitals will check vital signs, make sure there are no life-threatening conditions and release the patient with pain relief medication. They normally do not treat the underlying improper musculoskeletal biomechanics that can and often do lead to future pain. If you are still having problems, you should get a second opinion.
If your M.D. has given you drugs for pain or inflammation, you must understand that these drugs do not correct structural or soft tissue damage. There are special therapies designed for that, and I offer these at my office.
Q: Does Your Care (Chiropractic or Trigger Point Therapy) Hurt?
A: Absolutely not. The care is very gentle and quite soothing. Most patients can hardly wait to get their care.
Q: Is The Care Safe?
A: Yes, extremely. Particularly when compared to the side effects from medication.
Even if your auto accident seemed minor because of slow speeds or little damage to your vehicle, that doesn’t mean injury did not occur. At just 10mph, the body can be subjected to a force of 5 to 10 G’s. The force of 10 G’s is greater than a fighter pilot would experience during aerial combat.
Independent studies show that your body can violently move back and forth 6 to 10 times the speed your auto was going at time of impact. In other words, a 5-10 mph crash, your neck can move at 50 to 100 miles per hour! This is how G force can cause serious injuries at even low speeds.
Even those involved in low-speed accidents should see their chiropractor to rule out a whiplash injury that, if left untreated, it can have ramifications for years to come.