Being in a car accident can be one of the most terrifying and overwhelming experiences in a person’s life. According to Florida Highway Patrol, in 2017 Lee County alone had over 10,780 crashes with almost 7,000 injuries. The reason patients choose Chiropractic care for treatment of injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents (MVA) is because chiropractors are exceptional at treating whiplash, soft tissue and neck and back injuries. 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.
What to do After an Accident
Often, individuals involved in MVA’s do not experience symptoms for the first few weeks and even months. If you have been involved in a MVA, even if you do not feel any symptoms, it is recommended to make an appointment for an examination.
It’s important to not only receive immediate and appropriate treatment for any injuries sustained, but also to document the extent of the injuries, if present. If someone involved in a MVA fails to obtain a timely evaluation and/or appropriate treatment for injuries sustained they may lose their ability to: receive monetary compensation for any future medical bills resulting from the accident, obtain pain and suffering settlements and collect compensation for work loss.
How long do you have to seek medical attention?
Typically, after an auto accident, people do not feel bad immediately. Some pain takes days, or even years, to develop.
The state of Florida, requires that accident victims seek initial medical care within 14 days of an accident according to Florida’s 14 Day Rule, failing to do so impacts your ability to fight for damages or to use insurance coverage. There is no flexibilityon this timeframe by insurance agencies. Treatment sought after two weeks will be flatly denied by insurance companies.
The best solution is to seek a medical evaluation immediately — especially in Florida. Beyond just protecting yourself legally, and making sure you are able to use your insurance, you want to rule out injury and take urgent steps to prevent chronic problems.
Contact us now for your first consultation: 239-677-3593
Why does Florida have a 14 Day Rule?
The 14-day limit was imposed to severely minimize the risk of insurance fraud. Open-timeframe claims for medical issues created rampant abuse. People were waiting many years before claiming injuries, and by that time it was hard to prove anything.
If you’re not a current patient of a general practitioner, or if you’re new to your area, there may be a long wait for a first visit. A trip to a hospital emergency room is not your only option to seek immediate attention. Chiropractors are on the official list of providers you can see for an initial medical evaluation.
Common Injuries and Symptoms
Motor vehicle accidents can result in a number of very diverse and complex injuries and symptoms. This is due to the diversity of factors involved with the each MVA (i.e. vectors of the collision, size of the vehicles involved in collision, preexisting health conditions of victims, age of victims, size and strength of victims, etc.).
Common Injuries Sustained in Auto Accidents:
- Whiplash
- Headaches
- Back Pain
- Head Injuries and Associated Symptoms
- Extremity Pain, Numbness, Tingling
During your Appointment We Will Determine:
- The extent of the injury/ injuries
- The number of estimated treatments required to treat your injuries
- If referral to another medical specialist is required
- If special tests are required (i.e. MRI, CT Scan, etc.)
- If you need to take “injury time off” from work, we will provide you with a note to present to your employer
If you’re involved in a vehicle collision, seek a medical evaluation sooner rather than later. Chiropractic care can address the effects of auto accidents, so you can get back on the road to health. Contact SOS Chiropractic to learn more about what to do after an accident.