After a car accident, you should see an emergency room doctor immediately for severe injuries like head trauma, broken bones, or difficulty breathing. For non-emergency symptoms like neck pain, back pain, or headaches, you can choose between your primary care doctor or a chiropractor who specializes in car accident injuries—both can effectively treat common crash-related conditions like whiplash and soft tissue damage.
Experiencing pain or discomfort after a car accident can be overwhelming and confusing. You may be wondering if you should see a car accident chiropractor or a doctor first.
Ignoring severe injuries or delaying proper medical care can lead to worsening conditions and long-term complications. That’s why it’s crucial to see a doctor immediately for any serious symptoms like head trauma, broken bones, or difficulty breathing before considering chiropractic care. Once severe injuries are ruled out, a car accident chiropractor can play a vital role in your recovery by addressing soft tissue damage and spinal misalignments.
In this article, we’ll guide you through when and why to see a doctor first and how a car accident chiropractor can help you heal and reduce pain after your crash.
Who Should You See First After a Car Accident?
You should see an emergency room doctor immediately for severe injuries like head trauma, broken bones, or difficulty breathing. If you’re experiencing non-emergency symptoms such as whiplash or back strain after a crash, consider seeing your primary care physician or a chiropractor who treats car accident injuries.
The severity of your injuries determines who you should see first. Many people wonder whether to see a car accident chiropractor or doctor because both can treat common crash-related injuries effectively.
- Life-threatening injuries: Go to the emergency room immediately for any serious symptoms
- Moderate pain or visible injuries: Seek prompt evaluation at an urgent care center or from your primary doctor within 24 hours
- Soreness, stiffness, or mild pain: Schedule an appointment with your doctor or a chiropractor within 72 hours
While emergency situations are clear-cut, you need to recognize specific symptoms that require immediate hospital care.
Red Flags That Require an ER Visit Immediately
These symptoms indicate a serious injury and mean you need emergency care, not chiropractic treatment. The shock and adrenaline from an accident can mask severe injuries for hours, so never ignore these warning signs.
Loss of consciousness, even briefly, requires immediate medical attention. Severe headache, dizziness, or confusion can signal a brain injury that needs emergency treatment.
Numbness, weakness, or paralysis anywhere in your body suggests possible spinal cord damage. Chest pain or trouble breathing may indicate internal injuries to your heart or lungs.
- Severe abdominal pain: Could signal internal bleeding or organ damage
- Uncontrolled bleeding: Requires immediate medical intervention to prevent shock
- Vision changes or slurred speech: May indicate brain injury or stroke
Seeing a chiropractor after a car accident should always wait until a medical doctor has ruled out any life-threatening conditions.
Doctor or Chiropractor for Whiplash and Back Pain
Both medical doctors and chiropractors can effectively treat whiplash and back pain from car accidents, but their approaches are different. Medical doctors often focus on managing symptoms with medication, while chiropractors focus on restoring proper spinal function through hands-on adjustments.
| Medical Doctor Approach | Chiropractor Approach |
| Prescribes pain medication and muscle relaxers | Provides drug-free pain relief |
| May order diagnostic imaging like X-rays or MRI | Uses spinal adjustments to correct misalignment |
| Refers you to physical therapists or specialists | Treats injuries with manual therapy and exercises |
| Focuses on immediate symptom relief | Addresses the root cause of pain in the spine |
Many patients find that combining both medical and chiropractic care offers the most complete path to recovery. Your doctor can manage severe pain with medication while your chiropractor works to restore proper spinal alignment.
When to See a Chiropractor After a Car Accident
You should see a chiropractor within 72 hours of a car accident if you have neck pain, back pain, headaches, or stiffness. This is true even if your symptoms seem minor at first.
Early treatment is important because soft tissue injuries can worsen over time and create scar tissue if left untreated. Seeking prompt care also creates a medical record that links your injuries to the accident, which is essential for an insurance claim.
How long you see a chiropractor depends on your injuries and treatment goals; some people with whiplash need only short-term care while others require a longer recovery plan.
Types of Car Accident Doctors You May See
Your recovery journey after a car accident may involve several types of healthcare providers, each with a specific area of expertise. Understanding who does what helps you get the right care at the right time.
Emergency Room Physicians
ER doctors are your first line of defense for serious trauma. They work to stabilize your condition, diagnose life-threatening injuries, and provide immediate critical care when minutes matter most.
Primary Care Physicians
Your primary care physician can act as the main coordinator for your medical treatment. They can assess your overall condition, manage medications, and refer you to the right specialists for targeted care.
Orthopedic Specialists
If you have orthopedic injuries like broken bones, torn ligaments, or serious joint damage, an orthopedic specialist is the expert you need. They focus on the musculoskeletal system and can perform surgery if necessary to repair damaged bones or joints.
Neurologists
Neurologists specialize in injuries to the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. You may see a neurologist for a concussion, traumatic brain injury, or persistent numbness and tingling that doesn’t improve.
Chiropractors
A chiropractor who specializes in car accident injuries focuses on the spine and soft tissues. They use hands-on adjustments and other therapies to treat whiplash, back pain, and other musculoskeletal issues without medication or surgery.
Physical Therapists
Physical therapists help you regain strength, flexibility, and function through targeted exercises and rehabilitation programs. They often work alongside doctors and chiropractors to support your long-term recovery and prevent future injuries.
Many accident victims benefit from seeing multiple providers who work together as a team to address different aspects of their recovery.
Is Chiropractic Safe After a Crash
Chiropractic care for car accident injuries is generally safe when performed by a licensed practitioner who has experience with trauma patients. Car accident chiropractors are trained to modify their techniques to be gentle and effective for acute injuries.
They take specific safety measures to protect you during treatment. A thorough examination before any treatment helps identify which areas need gentle care and which should be avoided entirely.
- Gentle adjustments: Modified techniques that avoid aggravating inflamed tissues
- Diagnostic imaging: X-rays when needed to rule out fractures or spinal instability
- Medical coordination: Working with your medical team to ensure comprehensive care
- Progressive treatment: Starting with gentle therapies and gradually increasing intensity
Millions of people safely receive chiropractic care for auto accident injuries every year. The key is finding a chiropractor who understands how to treat trauma patients properly.
Injuries a Chiropractor Can Help After a Car Accident
Chiropractors who specialize in car accidents treat the soft tissue and spinal injuries that cause pain and limit your mobility. These injuries often don’t show up on X-rays but can cause significant discomfort and disability.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a common neck injury caused by the sudden back-and-forth motion of the head during a crash. Chiropractors address whiplash by restoring proper motion to the neck joints and reducing muscle spasms through targeted adjustments.
Neck and Back Strains
The force of a collision can easily strain the muscles and ligaments in your neck and back. Chiropractic adjustments can help reduce inflammation and pain associated with these strains while promoting proper healing.
Headaches
Headaches that start after a car accident are often caused by neck injuries or muscle tension. By treating the underlying spinal issue, chiropractors can help relieve these post-traumatic headaches without relying on pain medication.
Soft Tissue Sprains and Strains
Impact forces can cause sprains and strains in your shoulders, hips, and other joints throughout your body. A chiropractor can use targeted techniques to help these tissues heal properly and restore your range of motion.
The sooner you address these injuries, the better your chances of a complete recovery without long-term complications.
Who Pays for Treatment in Nevada
After an accident, you may worry about how you will afford medical care. In Nevada, several sources may cover your bills for seeing a doctor or chiropractor after an auto accident.
Auto Insurance in an At-Fault State
Nevada at-fault state means the driver who caused the accident is responsible for paying for your medical bills through their liability insurance. However, you may need to pay upfront and get reimbursed later, which can create financial stress, especially when dealing with an uninsured motorist.
MedPay and Health Insurance
If you have Medical Payments coverage on your own auto policy, it can pay for your treatment regardless of who was at fault. You can also use your personal health insurance, which may then seek reimbursement from the at-fault party’s insurer.
MedPay is especially helpful because it pays immediately without waiting for fault determination. This coverage may help pay for medical expenses, chiropractic care, and other necessary treatment.
Letters of Protection and Medical Liens
If you don’t have adequate insurance coverage, an attorney can issue a Letter of Protection to your medical providers. This is an agreement that allows you to get treatment now with a guarantee that your bills will be paid from your future personal injury settlement.
Medical liens work similarly, allowing providers to treat you with the understanding that they’ll be paid when your case resolves. This ensures you can get necessary care even if you can’t afford to pay upfront.
Will Chiropractic Care Affect My Settlement?
Legitimate chiropractic treatment for a car accident almost always strengthens your personal injury claim. It provides official documentation of your injuries, the care you needed, and the cost of your recovery.
Insurance companies respect documented medical care from licensed professionals, including chiropractors who specialize in auto accidents. They understand that chiropractic care is a standard, accepted treatment for many car accident injuries.
Gaps in your treatment or a delay in seeking care can hurt your claim far more than consistent, documented treatment. Insurance adjusters often question why someone would wait weeks to seek treatment if they were truly injured.
However, you should avoid overtreatment or unnecessary care, as insurance companies will scrutinize excessive visits. The key is following a reasonable treatment plan that addresses your specific injuries and symptoms.
How to Document Medical Care for Your Claim
Whether you see a doctor or a chiropractor after a car accident, proper documentation is crucial for both your health and your legal claim. Good records help ensure you receive appropriate care and fair compensation.
What to Tell Providers
Connect all your symptoms directly to the accident during every appointment. Be specific about the location, type, and intensity of your pain, and describe how it affects your daily activities.
- Link symptoms to the crash: Clearly state that your pain and other symptoms started after the car accident
- Describe functional limitations: Explain what activities you can no longer do or find difficult
- Report new symptoms: Mention any new pain or problems that develop during treatment
What Records to Keep
Maintain organized files of all your medical documentation from the accident. Keep appointment dates and provider names, all medical bills and receipts, and written treatment plans from your providers.
Copy any imaging results like X-rays or MRIs, and save all correspondence with insurance companies. These records become crucial evidence if you need to file a personal injury claim.
Mistakes That Hurt Claims
Waiting too long to see a doctor or chiropractor raises questions about the severity of your injuries. Missing appointments or not following your prescribed treatment plan suggests you’re not truly injured or committed to recovery.
Telling a provider you feel “fine” when you’re still in pain can be used against you later. Insurance companies will point to these statements to minimize your claim value.
Should You See Both a Doctor and a Chiropractor
Yes, seeing both a medical doctor and a chiropractor after a car accident often provides the most comprehensive care. These providers have different but complementary skills that work together for optimal recovery.
A medical doctor can diagnose serious conditions, order advanced imaging, and prescribe necessary medications for pain management. A chiropractor offers a non-invasive, drug-free approach to realign the spine and treat the soft tissue injuries causing your pain.
Working together, they can help you recover more completely than either provider alone. Your doctor handles the medical diagnosis and pain management while your chiropractor focuses on restoring proper function and mobility.
Many patients find this combined approach helps them recover faster and more thoroughly. It also provides comprehensive documentation for your insurance claim, showing that multiple healthcare professionals treated your injuries.
Injured in a Car Accident? Find Out How Much Your Case is Worth
Navigating medical care and insurance claims after a car accident can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Ladah Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Las Vegas, we protect your rights while you focus on healing.
Our auto accident attorneys are former insurance defense lawyers, so we know the tactics insurers use to minimize claims and we fight to get you the compensation you deserve. We have secured over $400 million for our clients and can help you get the medical treatment you need, even if you can’t afford it upfront.
- No upfront costs: We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case
- Availability: Our team is available to answer your questions and address your concerns
- Medical care coordination: We work with trusted doctors and chiropractors to ensure you get proper treatment
- Maximum compensation: We fight to recover all damages including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering
For a free consultation, contact us today and let us handle the legal complexities while you focus on getting better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral from my doctor to see a chiropractor in Nevada after a car accident?
No, Nevada chiropractic referral law allows you to see a chiropractor directly without a medical doctor’s referral. However, some health insurance plans may require a referral for coverage, so check your policy first.
How quickly should I see a medical provider after being in a car crash?
You should see a doctor or chiropractor within 72 hours of an accident, even if your pain seems minor. This ensures hidden injuries are discovered early and creates proper documentation for your insurance claim.
Will going to a chiropractor help increase my car accident settlement amount?
Proper chiropractic care documents your injuries and treatment needs, which can support the value of your settlement. However, excessive or unnecessary treatment may be questioned by insurance companies, so follow reasonable treatment plans.
Can I change doctors or chiropractors if my current treatment isn’t helping?
Yes, you always have the right to change healthcare providers or seek a second opinion. If your treatment plan isn’t helping you recover after a reasonable time, finding a different provider is completely appropriate.
Is it safe to receive chiropractic adjustments if I have a herniated disc from my accident?
Many chiropractors can treat herniated discs safely using gentle, modified techniques designed for disc injuries. Always inform your chiropractor about any diagnosed disc problems before beginning any treatment.
Does Medical Payments coverage on my auto insurance pay for chiropractic treatment in Nevada?
Yes, most MedPay policies in Nevada cover reasonable and necessary chiropractic care for injuries sustained in a car accident. Check your specific policy for coverage limits and any restrictions on treatment types.
Final Thoughts
Seeing the right healthcare provider after a car accident is crucial for a successful recovery. While emergency doctors handle severe injuries, a car accident chiropractor plays an essential role in treating soft tissue damage and spinal misalignments.
Early chiropractic care, combined with medical treatment, promotes healing, reduces pain, and supports your overall recovery process.
Don’t delay seeking care—addressing your injuries as soon as possible helps prevent long-term pain and complications, ensuring you get the quality care you deserve.
