Car Accident and Whiplash Checklist

It’s easy enough to find a quick list of “To Dos” for when you get in an auto accident. Virtually every insurance web page will give a quick and easy list of important steps to take to make sure that you don’t forget anything when it comes to the question every asks after they get in an accident, “What do I do know.” The problem is you need to have a list that pertains to your health instead of just your car and insurance.” The obvious next step is to get information that helps you address any health issues from a chiropractor that treats these issue all the time instead of just relying on a list from a car insurance company.

First, let’s start with a list of main factors that influence your prognosis. Meaning, each of these are going to make it more likely that you will have health problems like neck pain, back pain, headaches, migraines, etc. following the auto accident. It’s also very important to note that just because you don’t have symptoms immediately following your car accident, does not mean that the structure of your spine wasn’t damaged which could lead to future neck pain, back pain, headaches, migraines, etc. years down the road if not addressed with proper chiropractic care.

Main Factors Influencing Prognosis

• Previous History of Cervical (neck) Trauma

  • E.g. other car accidents, or injuries

• Moderate/high post car accident pain intensity

• Female Gender & age above 50 (less tissue density/strength)

• 3 or more post-accident symptoms

  • Neck pain, headaches, low back pain…

• Straightened or Reversed Cervical Curve

• Pre-existing degenerative joint disease

• Neurological signs and symptoms

  • Nerve pain, numbness, tingling etc.

• Wearing seat belt in low-speed collisions

  • No this is NOT a typo. Wearing a seatbelt is for saving lives in serious car accidents and should always be worn but it can exacerbate injuries caused by whiplash in low-speed car accidents.

• Head turned/tilted at impact

• Initial lower back pain

Neck let’s look at a list of some common symptoms that are secondary to (caused by) whiplash or soft tissue injuries sustained during a car accident. DO NO underestimate the importance of these signs. Many insurance companies may argue that “you only sustained soft tissue injuries” and play it off as though it’s no big deal. Tell that to any professional athlete with a multimillion-dollar contract who gets a “soft tissue injury” in his knee… like an ACL tear.  We all recognize the career-ending potential of one little ligament here but for some reason, it is very common for insurance companies, lawyers and patients to ignore or misunderstand the severity of a soft tissue injury in your NECK! Which one is worse tearing a ligament in your knee or your neck connecting the bones that protect your spinal cord?

Common Symptoms Following a Car Accident

• Neck Pain

• Headaches

• Upper Back Pain

• Numbness and/or Tingling of Extremities

• Cognitive Difficulties

• Visual Disturbances

• TMD (Temporal Mandibular Dysfunction or jaw pain)

• Tinnitus (ringing in ears)

If ANY of the symptoms or factors listed above pertain to you, it is a red flag to get yourself checked out by a chiropractor who specializes in soft tissue and structural injuries.  Corrective Chiropractic is the most advanced chiropractic office in Greenville, NC specializing in structural correction and soft tissue injuries sustained from car accidents. Call today to get a consultation with chiropractor Dr. Wickstrom and see if you need to get checked out.