A low impact auto accident is generally defined as an incident that
takes place at speeds less than 10 miles per hour (mph). This type of
collision usually causes the least amount of damage to the vehicles
involved. Body injuries can result from any accident and that includes
ones that occur with vehicles going less than 10 mph. Soft tissue
injuries are the most common problem for those involved in a low impact
accident.
A motor vehicle accident that takes place at speeds
between under 10 mph often brings about little visible damage to the
cars involved. Sometimes due to the fact that minimal damage was done to
vehicle the injuries to the people in the vehicles are overlooked. This
does not mean that bodily injury did not occur to the passengers during
the crash.
While an automobile is built to take a slow 5 to 10
mph crash that is not necessarily true for your body. In a low impact
accident a person’s soft tissue can be damaged.The back and neck are the
usual problem spots for soft tissue injuries. Soft tissue is basically a
person’s ligaments, tendons and muscles. Soft tissue injuries are
typically classified as contusions or bruises, sprains or strains.
A
contusion is an injury to the soft tissue caused by blunt force. This
force produces pooling of blood around the injury causing discoloring of
the skin. This is commonly is referred to as a bruise. Bruising can be
found in different shapes and colors.
A sprain is an injury to a
ligament often brought about by a wrench or twist. A sprain can be a
simple sprain, a partial tear or a complete tear. This can happen to
various parts of a person’s body during an accident. It is not uncommon
for a person to twist in their seat as a vehicle strikes theirs during
the incident.
A strain is an injury to the muscle or tendon
caused by overuse, force or stretching. The force of the car crash can
push on a person’s soft tissue or cause parts to stretch in an abnormal
way.Muscles and tendons support your bones. A strain may cause a partial
or complete tear in the muscle and tendon combination.
The neck
of a car occupant can whip forward causing the most common rear impact
injury known as whiplash. General Motors (GM) did a study regarding
crashes at speeds below eight mph. GM found, to no surprise, that
injuries do occur at such low speeds. The study also showed that
whiplash injuries account for more than half of all injuries connected
to vehicular accidents.
Although these types of injuries are
characteristically classified as minor nearly 30 percent of those hurt
in low speed collisions have reported having neck pain up to three years
later. This injury is likely to be worse in those that experienced a
rear end collision. Depending on the age of the person this injury could
cause a permanent disability.
A motor vehicle can take the force
of a low speed collision without showing much damage due to the
advances car manufacturers have made in the construction of their
vehicles. When a collision does occur the force of the accident pushes
inertia somewhere and once the automobile has taken part of that energy
away the occupants take the rest. These forces are what can cause people
bodily harm even in a crash of below 10 mph.Soft tissue injuries can
occur to those involved in a low speed impact and though these injuries
might be hard to see they exist.
So call to make an appointment or visit us at ndallaschiropractic.com
Monday, February 18, 2013
Low Back Pain
Low
back pain is the cause of many patients who limp, hobble or even crawl
in to our office. It’s not surprising to learn that Low back pain
results in millions of dollars of lost work and untold suffering every
day.
Low back pain usually falls in to one of the following categories:
1. Patients have experienced chronic long term pain or discomfort with multiple episodes of increased pain which come and go.
Many of these people either cover the pain with OTC or prescription medications, or decide to just live with it. The problem is that all medications have both short and long term side effects. Only in rare cases should this be considered as a long term treatment option to this typically correctable problem.
Low back pain usually falls in to one of the following categories:
1. Patients have experienced chronic long term pain or discomfort with multiple episodes of increased pain which come and go.
Many of these people either cover the pain with OTC or prescription medications, or decide to just live with it. The problem is that all medications have both short and long term side effects. Only in rare cases should this be considered as a long term treatment option to this typically correctable problem.
As far as just living with the pain, two areas must be considered.
First, pain is NOT normal, so there IS something wrong. Ignoring it or just dealing with it allows the condition to progress undiagnosed and untreated. Lastly, why live with it and the effects it can have on your QUALITY of life, if you don't have to.
2. These patients are the limpers, hobblers and crawlers. Their pain started all at once and hit hard and fast. We typically hear something like "I just reached down to pick up a book and my back went out." Another common statement goes something like "I have never had low back pain before."
This type of condition can stop even the most determined and tough individual in their tracks and literally bring them to their knees. This can be a very scary time for those who have never experienced this before.
Typically our spinal examination reveals long time trauma or misalignment of the Lumbar vertebrae, the sacrum or the hips. The body has gotten to a point where it is overcome by these conditions and literally stops functioning properly.
NOTE: There are a number of causes of low back pain. Most who seek out our office fall into the category of Chiropractic care to fix the CAUSE of the problem. We have great success with these patients. Occasionally, we find that the problem is not musculo-skeletal related and in these cases, they are referred to to another type of Doctor who specializes in their particular condition.
First, pain is NOT normal, so there IS something wrong. Ignoring it or just dealing with it allows the condition to progress undiagnosed and untreated. Lastly, why live with it and the effects it can have on your QUALITY of life, if you don't have to.
2. These patients are the limpers, hobblers and crawlers. Their pain started all at once and hit hard and fast. We typically hear something like "I just reached down to pick up a book and my back went out." Another common statement goes something like "I have never had low back pain before."
This type of condition can stop even the most determined and tough individual in their tracks and literally bring them to their knees. This can be a very scary time for those who have never experienced this before.
Typically our spinal examination reveals long time trauma or misalignment of the Lumbar vertebrae, the sacrum or the hips. The body has gotten to a point where it is overcome by these conditions and literally stops functioning properly.
NOTE: There are a number of causes of low back pain. Most who seek out our office fall into the category of Chiropractic care to fix the CAUSE of the problem. We have great success with these patients. Occasionally, we find that the problem is not musculo-skeletal related and in these cases, they are referred to to another type of Doctor who specializes in their particular condition.
Correlating Crash Severity with Injury Risk, Injury Severity, and Long-term Symptoms in Low Velocity Motor Vehicle Collisions
Medical Science Monitor
October 2005; 11(10): RA316-321
Arthur C. Croft and Michael D. Freeman
These authors note: In the mid-1990s, a set of guidelines was published by a leading U.S. auto insurer instructing claims adjusters that injury claims resulting from motor vehicle crashes with less that $1,000 US in claimant's vehicle property are "unlikely to — or cannot cause significant or permanent injury" and should "be handled as a fraudulent claim," regardless of medical evidence of injury. The "claim goal was to close without payment."
The MIST (minor impact soft tissue) protocol uses vehicle property damage as a construct for injury, and all injury claims less than $1,000 US of vehicle property damage are considered to be false.
These authors "conducted a comprehensive best evidence synthesis of the existing medical and engineering literature to investigate the relationship between vehicular structural damage and occupant injury in motor vehicle crashes."
|
The key points noted in this article include:
October 2005; 11(10): RA316-321
Arthur C. Croft and Michael D. Freeman
These authors note: In the mid-1990s, a set of guidelines was published by a leading U.S. auto insurer instructing claims adjusters that injury claims resulting from motor vehicle crashes with less that $1,000 US in claimant's vehicle property are "unlikely to — or cannot cause significant or permanent injury" and should "be handled as a fraudulent claim," regardless of medical evidence of injury. The "claim goal was to close without payment."
The MIST (minor impact soft tissue) protocol uses vehicle property damage as a construct for injury, and all injury claims less than $1,000 US of vehicle property damage are considered to be false.
These authors "conducted a comprehensive best evidence synthesis of the existing medical and engineering literature to investigate the relationship between vehicular structural damage and occupant injury in motor vehicle crashes."
|
The key points noted in this article include:
A substantial number of injuries are reported in crashes of little or no property damage.
Property damage is an unreliable predictor of injury risk or outcome in low velocity crashes!
95% of rear impact injury crashes occur below 25 mph.
Rear-end collision injury severity and duration can be reduced with a head restraint closer to the occupant's head.
Well-done studies documented cases of injury with "almost no vehicle damage."
There is "no statistically significant associations between crash severity and the 6-month injury status."!
"Persons who were unaware of the impending crash were significantly more likely to have persistent symptoms."
"No
statistically significant relationships existed between measures
of crash severity in terms of calculated velocity change or maximum
deformation and long-term symptoms."
There are no significant correlations between crash severity and long-term symptoms.
There is a substantial injury risk in frontal and rear impact low speed crashes without sustaining appreciable vehicle damage.
"It
seems clear that property damage in low velocity motor
vehicle crashes does not provide a reliable means of assessing the
validity of injury claims and, provides no reliable means of
prognosticating long term outcome."
"A
substantial number of injuries are reported in crashes of
severities that are unlikely to result in significant property damage."
"Property damage is neither a valid predictor of acute injury risk nor of symptom duration."
"Based
upon our best evidence synthesis, the level of vehicle
property damage appears to be an invalid construct for injury
presence, severity, or duration."
"The MIST protocol for prediction of injury does not appear to be valid."
FACTORS INFLUENCING INJURY TOLERANCE
A
number of factors influence the extent and severity of injuries
experienced by victims of motor vehicle accidents. The following list
contains many of the most important factors influencing injury severity
and prognosis:
Findings from a recent Canadian study, published in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, indicate that the following patient and crash characteristics lead to a poorer prognosis:
The prognosis for recovery was poor if:
- how long after the accident treatment was initiated
- the type of treatment received
- patient compliance to the treatment plan
- the nature of the accident (frontal, rear, side impact collision or a combination)
- severity of accident (i.e. automobile speeds)
- the size and speed of your vehicle and other vehicles involved
- whether or not seat belts were worn
- whether you were aware of the impending accident
- the height of the head rest
- the age of the individual (elderly and children more susceptible to the forces involved in MVA's)
- the size and strength of the individual - more specifically, their spinal musculature
- the presence of preexisting spinal conditions
Findings from a recent Canadian study, published in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, indicate that the following patient and crash characteristics lead to a poorer prognosis:
The prognosis for recovery was poor if:
- there were additional injuries besides whiplash,
- the patient was female, elderly or had dependents,
- the crash was severe, involved a truck or bus,
- the injured party was not wearing a seat belt.
HEADACHES
Headaches
are the second most common complaint following motor vehicle
accidents (MVA's). Like the many other MVA symptoms, headache may not
be present immediately following the accident and may take several
weeks and often months to eventually surface. Most post-traumatic headaches
are thought to originate from the soft tissues and facet joints of
the neck as well as injury or irritation to the nerves of the upper
cervical spine.
The literature has shown there to be multiple types of headaches which can be experienced following a MVA. These include the following:
The literature has shown there to be multiple types of headaches which can be experienced following a MVA. These include the following:
- Cervicogenic Headaches
- Muscle Tension Headaches
- Migraine Headaches
- Myofascial Trigger Point Headaches
- Site-Of-Impact Headaches
- Drug-Induced Headaches (following excessive or prolonged analgesic use)
Why should i get an attorney after an Auto/Car accident for my injuries?
An attorney helps with all aspects
of an auto/car accident claim or injury. They keep an individual
from spending countless hours on the phone with insurance adjusters
that really don't care about your well being. It also helps to keep
stress levels down and allow you to concentrate on recovery and
getting well. Our office only works with the best attorneys/lawyers
in Dallas/Fort Worth. We have learned through trial and error, who
best takes care of our patients. They also make sure that all your
medical bills are settled. This allows you to be additionally stress
and medical bill free at the end. We also help those who are not able
to treat in our office, who are in need of an attorney. We are here
to help!!! So don't hesitate in calling and making an appointment to
get examined and also ask about scheduling a free consultation with a
reputable attorney. You only have one body, so you need to take care
of it. Call Today!!! (972)215-7720
Auto/Car Accidents and whiplash and the Necessity of Chiropractic Care
One of the most stressful events in
life is dealing with the issues that occur after an auto accident.
The first thing a person thinks about after the crash is the car.
Most people are not aware that some injuries are not detected for
months or even years. Two things result in these situations: an
insurance company settles with the victim without compensating for
the pain and treatment needed from these undiagnosed injuries, and
the injury gets worse over time due to the lack or delay of
treatment. It is absolutely imperative that anybody that is in an
auto accident immediately go see a Doctor trained in soft tissue
injuries. While whiplash is a common injury from auto accidents,
another common complaint of crash victims is that they don’t “feel
like their normal selves.” They may also experience other symptoms
like dizziness, blurry vision, headaches, back pain, muscle stiffness
or spasms, neck pain, numbness and tingling, fatigue, difficulty
sleeping, irritability, memory loss and difficulty concentrating.
Auto accidents can also cause post-traumatic osteoarthritis. This can damage your posture (producing a slumped or hump back appearance). Osteoarthritis can also cause the discs in the spine to degenerate and create scar tissue formation leading to chronic stiffness.
According to the Insurance Research Council, nearly 1/3 of all claimants injured in motor vehicle accidents seek treatment from doctors of chiropractic. That number is astounding when combined with the fact that the National Safety Council (NSC) has determined there to be more than 12 million accidents annually involving more than 20 million vehicles.
The reason people choose chiropractic care for treatment of injuries sustained in auto accidents is simple – chiropractic care is exceptional in the treatment of soft tissue injuries, especially of the spine. Since the most common injuries associated with these events are sprains and strains of the spinal muscles and ligaments, it’s only natural that chiropractic be the treatment of choice. Chiropractors are the primary care doctors trained specifically in dealing with injuries to the spine.
Much research has also found people injured in auto accidents prefer chiropractic care for the treatment of their injuries. One such study* evaluated 190 whiplash injury victims and found those who received chiropractic care reported treatment satisfaction of 100%.
One major concern individuals that have lived through the experience of an auto accident should be aware of is most medical doctors are not trained to detect the type of soft tissue or joint injury that does not show itself immediately. It is imperative that people involved in auto accidents consult with a doctor who is trained in the biomechanics of the human body; someone who treats these injuries every day.
Often, passengers can be hurt more than a driver, especially if it is a side wreck or T-bone. Children can suffer the same injuries as adults and should be given the same care despite a feeling by the parent that a child can’t be “that injured” if no bones are broken or there is no bruising to the skin. Put it this way: if damage was done to a vehicle that actually bent metal, the people inside the vehicle surely absorbed that force as well.
Due to our bodies producing adrenaline at the time of an accident, this hormone acts like a natural pain killer and allows us to muster the courage to move through the impact and “take care of business”. As mentioned above, it is often days or weeks later that the full impact of the crash is felt. A trained doctor of chiropractic can be a brilliant source of diagnosis and treatment of soft tissue and joint injuries.
In addition, x-rays or MRI (if indicated) will be used to check for any structural damage. In our office, we routinely evaluate auto accident victims and make any appropriate referrals to other health care providers if necessary. Our primary responsibility is providing the proper care and submitting the required medical reports to the insurance company or attorney (if one is involved) so the rights of the patient are protected.
If we can’t help the patient, we will refer them 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 it is critical to make the first decision be to be evaluated by a doctor of chiropractic and get under care immediately.
Auto accidents can also cause post-traumatic osteoarthritis. This can damage your posture (producing a slumped or hump back appearance). Osteoarthritis can also cause the discs in the spine to degenerate and create scar tissue formation leading to chronic stiffness.
According to the Insurance Research Council, nearly 1/3 of all claimants injured in motor vehicle accidents seek treatment from doctors of chiropractic. That number is astounding when combined with the fact that the National Safety Council (NSC) has determined there to be more than 12 million accidents annually involving more than 20 million vehicles.
The reason people choose chiropractic care for treatment of injuries sustained in auto accidents is simple – chiropractic care is exceptional in the treatment of soft tissue injuries, especially of the spine. Since the most common injuries associated with these events are sprains and strains of the spinal muscles and ligaments, it’s only natural that chiropractic be the treatment of choice. Chiropractors are the primary care doctors trained specifically in dealing with injuries to the spine.
Much research has also found people injured in auto accidents prefer chiropractic care for the treatment of their injuries. One such study* evaluated 190 whiplash injury victims and found those who received chiropractic care reported treatment satisfaction of 100%.
One major concern individuals that have lived through the experience of an auto accident should be aware of is most medical doctors are not trained to detect the type of soft tissue or joint injury that does not show itself immediately. It is imperative that people involved in auto accidents consult with a doctor who is trained in the biomechanics of the human body; someone who treats these injuries every day.
Often, passengers can be hurt more than a driver, especially if it is a side wreck or T-bone. Children can suffer the same injuries as adults and should be given the same care despite a feeling by the parent that a child can’t be “that injured” if no bones are broken or there is no bruising to the skin. Put it this way: if damage was done to a vehicle that actually bent metal, the people inside the vehicle surely absorbed that force as well.
Due to our bodies producing adrenaline at the time of an accident, this hormone acts like a natural pain killer and allows us to muster the courage to move through the impact and “take care of business”. As mentioned above, it is often days or weeks later that the full impact of the crash is felt. A trained doctor of chiropractic can be a brilliant source of diagnosis and treatment of soft tissue and joint injuries.
In addition, x-rays or MRI (if indicated) will be used to check for any structural damage. In our office, we routinely evaluate auto accident victims and make any appropriate referrals to other health care providers if necessary. Our primary responsibility is providing the proper care and submitting the required medical reports to the insurance company or attorney (if one is involved) so the rights of the patient are protected.
If we can’t help the patient, we will refer them 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 it is critical to make the first decision be to be evaluated by a doctor of chiropractic and get under care immediately.
What is Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
The
Texas Department of Insurance requires automobile insurance
carriers in our state to issue all automobile policies it writes at
least $2500 worth of coverage and you have this coverage unless you
reject it in writing. Most people are unaware of this coverage or
even know what it is and therefore very few people use it. You end
up paying for coverage that they don’t inform you about and you’re
entitled to.
Why?
Insurance is not understood and most people rely on their agent and
claims adjusters to advise them on what to do after an accident.
Insurance is a multi-billion dollar industry and are in business to
make money. They keep their costs down, less payout, more profits
and bonuses at the end of the year. Good for them and not for you.
What is PIP?
PIP
is no fault coverage similar to health insurance but on your auto
policy for your injuries and your passengers injuries. This coverage
is available regardless who is at fault. Yes, you can be the cause
of the accident and you will still be covered. There’s no deductible
and no co-payment. There is other separate coverage that will cover
the other party if you were at fault. If you do not have PIP then
you could still be covered if you were in an accident in another
state besides Texas. You may also be covered if you were hit in a
crosswalk by a car or on a bicycle or borrowing someone else’s car.
What will a claim do to my insurance rates and policy renewal?
Under
section 5.7016 of the Texas insurance code, automobile insurance
carriers cannot non-renew you for filing one PIP claim in a 12 month
period. Also, it is unlikely that they would raise your rates for a
sole PIP claim.
Why doesn’t the other guy’s insurance pay for my medical expenses and why should I use my insurance?
Medical
treatment is expensive and you are liable for the costs. There is a
chance that the other party may never pay for your medical expenses
leaving you a financial burden. PIP gives you peace of mind that
your medical bills are covered. If you use your health insurance,
you may have to pay a deductible and co-pays to your doctor and if
the health insurance finds out that you were in an accident they
could request to be reimbursed. Some people get referred to a
medical provider by their attorney and the medical provider agrees
to be paid months or even years later. Since there are a limited
number of medical providers who agree to this arrangement, your
choice and quality of healthcare may be limited. The answer is to
use your PIP coverage so you will not have to pay for medical
expenses out of your pocket and get the best possible healthcare
treatment available for you and your family’s injuries caused by the
accident. Also, if there is coverage from the other guys insurance,
then this is an added advantage to reduce any out of pocket expense.
What to Do If Injured in an Accident and Suffer From Whiplash
The term "whiplash" was first used
in 1928 to define an injury mechanism of sudden hyperextension
followed by an immediate hyperflexion of the neck that results in
damage to the muscles, ligaments and tendons – especially those that
support the head. Today, we know that whiplash injuries frequently do
not result from hyperextension or hyperflexion (extension and flexion
beyond normal physiological limits), but rather an extremely rapid
extension and flexion that causes injuries.
Due to their complicated nature and profound impact on peoples lives, few topics in health care generate as much controversy as whiplash injuries. Unlike a broken bone where a simple x-ray can validate the presence of the fracture and standards of care can direct a health care professional as to the best way in which to handle the injury, whiplash injuries involve an unpredictable combination of nervous system, muscles joints and connective tissue disruption that is not simple to diagnose and can be even more of a challenge to treat. In order to help you understand the nature of whiplash injuries and how they should be treated, it is necessary to spend a bit of time discussing the mechanics of how whiplash injuries occur.
The Four Phases of a Whiplash Injury
During a rear-end automobile collision, your body goes through an extremely rapid and intense acceleration and deceleration. In fact, all four phases of a whiplash injury occur in less than one-half of a second! At each phase, there is a different force acting on the body that contributes to the overall injury, and with such a sudden and forceful movement, damage to the vertebrae, nerves, discs, muscles, and ligaments of your neck and spine can be substantial.
Phase 1
During this first phase, your car begins to be pushed out from under you, causing your mid-back to be flattened against the back of your seat. This results in an upward force in your cervical spine, compressing your discs and joints. As your seat back begins to accelerate your torso forward, your head moves backward, creating a shearing force in your neck. If your head restraint is properly adjusted, the distance your head travels backward is limited. However, most of the damage to the spine will occur before your head reaches your head restraint. Studies have shown that head restraints only reduce the risk of injury by 11-20%.
Phase 2
During phase two, your torso has reached peak acceleration - 1.5 to 2 times that of your vehicle itself - but your head has not yet begun to accelerate forward and continues to move rearward. An abnormal S-curve develops in your cervical spine as your seat back recoils forward, much like a springboard, adding to the forward acceleration of the torso. Unfortunately, this forward seat back recoil occurs while your head is still moving backward, resulting in a shearing force in the neck that is one of the more damaging aspects of a whiplash injury. Many of the bone, joint, nerve, disc and TMJ injuries that I see clinically occur during this phase.
Phase 3
During the third phase, your torso is now descending back down in your seat and your head and neck are at their peak forward acceleration. At the same time, your car is slowing down. If you released the pressure on your brake pedal during the first phases of the collision, it will likely be reapplied during this phase. Reapplication of the brake causes your car to slow down even quicker and increases the severity of the flexion injury of your neck. As you move forward in your seat, any slack in your seat belt and shoulder harness is taken up.
Phase 4
This is probably the most damaging phase of the whiplash phenomenon. In this fourth phase, your torso is stopped by your seat belt and shoulder restraint and your head is free to move forward unimpeded. This results in a violent forward-bending motion of your neck, straining the muscles and ligaments, tearing fibers in the spinal discs, and forcing vertebrae out of their normal position. Your spinal cord and nerve roots get stretched and irritated, and your brain can strike the inside of your skull causing a mild to moderate brain injury. If you are not properly restrained by your seat harness, you may suffer a concussion, or more severe brain injury, from striking the steering wheel or windshield.
Injuries Resulting from Whiplash Trauma
As we discussed briefly in the introduction, whiplash injuries can manifest in a wide variety of ways, including neck pain, headaches, fatigue, upper back and shoulder pain, cognitive changes and low back pain. Due to the fact that numerous factors play into the overall whiplash trauma, such as direction of impact, speed of the vehicles involved, as well as sex, age and physical condition, it is impossible to predict the pattern of symptoms that each individual will suffer. Additionally, whiplash symptoms commonly have a delayed onset, often taking weeks or months to present. There are, however, a number of conditions that are very common among those who have suffered from whiplash trauma.
Neck pain
It is the single most common complaint in whiplash trauma, being reported by over 90% of patients. Often this pain radiates across the shoulders, up into the head, and down between the shoulder blades. Whiplash injuries tend to affect all of the tissues in the neck, including the facet joints and discs between the vertebrae, as well as all of the muscles, ligaments and nerves.
Facet joint pain is the most common cause of neck pain following a car accident. Facet joint pain is usually felt on the back of the neck, just to the right or left of center, and is usually tender to the touch. Facet joint pain cannot be visualized on x-rays or MRIs. It can only be diagnosed by physical palpation of the area.
Disc injury is also a common cause of neck pain; especially chronic pain. The outer wall of the disc (called the anulus) is made up of bundles of fibers that can be torn during a whiplash trauma. These tears, then, can lead to disc degeneration or herniation, resulting in irritation or compression of the nerves running through the area. This compression or irritation commonly leads to radiating pain into the arms, shoulders and upper back, and may result in muscle weakness.
Damage to the muscles and ligaments in the neck and upper back are the major cause of the pain experienced in the first few weeks following a whiplash injury, and is the main reason why you experience stiffness and restricted range of motion. But as the muscles have a chance to heal, they typically don’t cause as much actual pain as they contribute to abnormal movement. Damage to the ligaments often results in abnormal movement and instability.
Headaches
After neck pain, headaches are the most prevalent complaint among those suffering from whiplash injury, affecting more than 80% of all people. While some headaches are actually the result of direct brain injury, most are related to injury of the muscles, ligaments and facet joints of the cervical spine, which refer pain to the head. Because of this, it is important to treat the supporting structures of your neck in order to help alleviate your headaches.
TMJ problems
A less common, but very debilitating disorder that results from whiplash is temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ). TMJ usually begins as pain, clicking and popping noises in the jaw during movement. If not properly evaluated and treated, TMJ problems can continue to worsen and lead to headaches, facial pain, ear pain and difficulty eating. Many chiropractors are specially trained to treat TMJ problems, or can refer you to a TMJ specialist.
Brain injury
Believe it or not, mild to moderate brain injury is common following a whiplash injury, due to the forces on the brain during the four phases mentioned earlier. The human brain is a very soft structure, suspended in a watery fluid called cerebrospinal fluid. When the brain is forced forward and backward in the skull, the brain bounces off the inside of the skull, leading to bruising or bleeding in the brain itself. In some cases, patients temporarily lose consciousness and have symptoms of a mild concussion. More often, there is no loss of consciousness, but patients complain of mild confusion or disorientation just after the crash. The long-term consequences of a mild brain injury can include mild confusion, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, irritability, forgetfulness, loss of sex drive, depression and emotional instability. Although less common, the nerves responsible for your sense of smell, taste and even your vision may be affected as well, resulting in a muted sense of taste, changes in your sensation of smell and visual disturbances.
Dizziness
Dizziness following a whiplash injury usually results from injury to the facet joints of the cervical spine, although in some cases injury to the brain or brain stem may be a factor as well. Typically, this dizziness is very temporary improves significantly with chiropractic treatment.
Low back pain
Although most people consider whiplash to be an injury of the neck, the low back is also commonly injured as well. In fact, low back pain is found in more than half of rear impact-collisions in which injury was reported, and almost three-quarters of all side-impact crashes. This is mostly due to the fact that the low back still experiences a tremendous compression during the first two phases of a whiplash injury, even though it does not have the degree of flexion-extension injury experienced in the neck.
Recovery from Whiplash
With proper care, many mild whiplash injuries heal within six to nine months. However, more than 20% of those who suffer from whiplash injuries continue to suffer from pain, weakness or restricted movement two years after their accident. Unfortunately, the vast majority of these people will continue to suffer from some level of disability or pain for many years after that, if not for the rest of their lives.
Whiplash is a unique condition that requires the expertise of a skilled health professional specially trained to work with these types of injuries. The most effective treatment for whiplash injuries is a combination of chiropractic care, rehabilitation of the soft tissues and taking care of yourself at home.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care utilizes manual manipulation of the spine to restore the normal movement and position of the spinal vertebrae. It is by far the single-most effective treatment for minimizing the long-term impact of whiplash injuries, especially when coupled with massage therapy, trigger point therapy, exercise rehabilitation and other soft tissue rehabilitation modalities.
Soft Tissue Rehabilitation
The term ‘soft tissue’ simply refers to anything that is not bone, such as your muscles, ligaments, tendons, nervous system, spinal discs and internal organs. During a whiplash injury, the tissues that are affected most are the soft tissues, the muscles, ligaments and discs in particular. In order to minimize permanent impairment and disability, it is important to use therapies that stimulate the soft tissues to heal correctly. These include massage therapy, electro-stimulation, trigger point therapy, stretching and specific strength and range of motion exercises.
Home Care
The most effective chiropractic care and soft tissue rehabilitation will be limited in its benefit if what you do at home or at work stresses or re-injures you on a daily basis. For this reason, it is important that your plan of care extend into the hours and days between your clinic visits to help speed your recovery. Some of the more common home care therapies are the application of ice packs, limitations on work or daily activities, specific stretches and exercises, taking nutritional supplements and getting plenty of rest.
Medical Intervention
In some severe cases of whiplash, it may be necessary to have some medical care as part of your overall treatment plan. The most common medical treatments include the use of anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, trigger point injections and, in some cases, epidural spinal injections. These therapies should be used for short-term relief of pain, if necessary, and not be the focus of treatment. After all, a drug cannot restore normal joint movement and stimulate healthy muscle repair. Fortunately, surgery is only needed in some cases of herniated discs, when the disc is pressing on the spinal cord, and in some cases of spine fractures.
Due to their complicated nature and profound impact on peoples lives, few topics in health care generate as much controversy as whiplash injuries. Unlike a broken bone where a simple x-ray can validate the presence of the fracture and standards of care can direct a health care professional as to the best way in which to handle the injury, whiplash injuries involve an unpredictable combination of nervous system, muscles joints and connective tissue disruption that is not simple to diagnose and can be even more of a challenge to treat. In order to help you understand the nature of whiplash injuries and how they should be treated, it is necessary to spend a bit of time discussing the mechanics of how whiplash injuries occur.
The Four Phases of a Whiplash Injury
During a rear-end automobile collision, your body goes through an extremely rapid and intense acceleration and deceleration. In fact, all four phases of a whiplash injury occur in less than one-half of a second! At each phase, there is a different force acting on the body that contributes to the overall injury, and with such a sudden and forceful movement, damage to the vertebrae, nerves, discs, muscles, and ligaments of your neck and spine can be substantial.
Phase 1
During this first phase, your car begins to be pushed out from under you, causing your mid-back to be flattened against the back of your seat. This results in an upward force in your cervical spine, compressing your discs and joints. As your seat back begins to accelerate your torso forward, your head moves backward, creating a shearing force in your neck. If your head restraint is properly adjusted, the distance your head travels backward is limited. However, most of the damage to the spine will occur before your head reaches your head restraint. Studies have shown that head restraints only reduce the risk of injury by 11-20%.
Phase 2
During phase two, your torso has reached peak acceleration - 1.5 to 2 times that of your vehicle itself - but your head has not yet begun to accelerate forward and continues to move rearward. An abnormal S-curve develops in your cervical spine as your seat back recoils forward, much like a springboard, adding to the forward acceleration of the torso. Unfortunately, this forward seat back recoil occurs while your head is still moving backward, resulting in a shearing force in the neck that is one of the more damaging aspects of a whiplash injury. Many of the bone, joint, nerve, disc and TMJ injuries that I see clinically occur during this phase.
Phase 3
During the third phase, your torso is now descending back down in your seat and your head and neck are at their peak forward acceleration. At the same time, your car is slowing down. If you released the pressure on your brake pedal during the first phases of the collision, it will likely be reapplied during this phase. Reapplication of the brake causes your car to slow down even quicker and increases the severity of the flexion injury of your neck. As you move forward in your seat, any slack in your seat belt and shoulder harness is taken up.
Phase 4
This is probably the most damaging phase of the whiplash phenomenon. In this fourth phase, your torso is stopped by your seat belt and shoulder restraint and your head is free to move forward unimpeded. This results in a violent forward-bending motion of your neck, straining the muscles and ligaments, tearing fibers in the spinal discs, and forcing vertebrae out of their normal position. Your spinal cord and nerve roots get stretched and irritated, and your brain can strike the inside of your skull causing a mild to moderate brain injury. If you are not properly restrained by your seat harness, you may suffer a concussion, or more severe brain injury, from striking the steering wheel or windshield.
Injuries Resulting from Whiplash Trauma
As we discussed briefly in the introduction, whiplash injuries can manifest in a wide variety of ways, including neck pain, headaches, fatigue, upper back and shoulder pain, cognitive changes and low back pain. Due to the fact that numerous factors play into the overall whiplash trauma, such as direction of impact, speed of the vehicles involved, as well as sex, age and physical condition, it is impossible to predict the pattern of symptoms that each individual will suffer. Additionally, whiplash symptoms commonly have a delayed onset, often taking weeks or months to present. There are, however, a number of conditions that are very common among those who have suffered from whiplash trauma.
Neck pain
It is the single most common complaint in whiplash trauma, being reported by over 90% of patients. Often this pain radiates across the shoulders, up into the head, and down between the shoulder blades. Whiplash injuries tend to affect all of the tissues in the neck, including the facet joints and discs between the vertebrae, as well as all of the muscles, ligaments and nerves.
Facet joint pain is the most common cause of neck pain following a car accident. Facet joint pain is usually felt on the back of the neck, just to the right or left of center, and is usually tender to the touch. Facet joint pain cannot be visualized on x-rays or MRIs. It can only be diagnosed by physical palpation of the area.
Disc injury is also a common cause of neck pain; especially chronic pain. The outer wall of the disc (called the anulus) is made up of bundles of fibers that can be torn during a whiplash trauma. These tears, then, can lead to disc degeneration or herniation, resulting in irritation or compression of the nerves running through the area. This compression or irritation commonly leads to radiating pain into the arms, shoulders and upper back, and may result in muscle weakness.
Damage to the muscles and ligaments in the neck and upper back are the major cause of the pain experienced in the first few weeks following a whiplash injury, and is the main reason why you experience stiffness and restricted range of motion. But as the muscles have a chance to heal, they typically don’t cause as much actual pain as they contribute to abnormal movement. Damage to the ligaments often results in abnormal movement and instability.
Headaches
After neck pain, headaches are the most prevalent complaint among those suffering from whiplash injury, affecting more than 80% of all people. While some headaches are actually the result of direct brain injury, most are related to injury of the muscles, ligaments and facet joints of the cervical spine, which refer pain to the head. Because of this, it is important to treat the supporting structures of your neck in order to help alleviate your headaches.
TMJ problems
A less common, but very debilitating disorder that results from whiplash is temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ). TMJ usually begins as pain, clicking and popping noises in the jaw during movement. If not properly evaluated and treated, TMJ problems can continue to worsen and lead to headaches, facial pain, ear pain and difficulty eating. Many chiropractors are specially trained to treat TMJ problems, or can refer you to a TMJ specialist.
Brain injury
Believe it or not, mild to moderate brain injury is common following a whiplash injury, due to the forces on the brain during the four phases mentioned earlier. The human brain is a very soft structure, suspended in a watery fluid called cerebrospinal fluid. When the brain is forced forward and backward in the skull, the brain bounces off the inside of the skull, leading to bruising or bleeding in the brain itself. In some cases, patients temporarily lose consciousness and have symptoms of a mild concussion. More often, there is no loss of consciousness, but patients complain of mild confusion or disorientation just after the crash. The long-term consequences of a mild brain injury can include mild confusion, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, irritability, forgetfulness, loss of sex drive, depression and emotional instability. Although less common, the nerves responsible for your sense of smell, taste and even your vision may be affected as well, resulting in a muted sense of taste, changes in your sensation of smell and visual disturbances.
Dizziness
Dizziness following a whiplash injury usually results from injury to the facet joints of the cervical spine, although in some cases injury to the brain or brain stem may be a factor as well. Typically, this dizziness is very temporary improves significantly with chiropractic treatment.
Low back pain
Although most people consider whiplash to be an injury of the neck, the low back is also commonly injured as well. In fact, low back pain is found in more than half of rear impact-collisions in which injury was reported, and almost three-quarters of all side-impact crashes. This is mostly due to the fact that the low back still experiences a tremendous compression during the first two phases of a whiplash injury, even though it does not have the degree of flexion-extension injury experienced in the neck.
Recovery from Whiplash
With proper care, many mild whiplash injuries heal within six to nine months. However, more than 20% of those who suffer from whiplash injuries continue to suffer from pain, weakness or restricted movement two years after their accident. Unfortunately, the vast majority of these people will continue to suffer from some level of disability or pain for many years after that, if not for the rest of their lives.
Whiplash is a unique condition that requires the expertise of a skilled health professional specially trained to work with these types of injuries. The most effective treatment for whiplash injuries is a combination of chiropractic care, rehabilitation of the soft tissues and taking care of yourself at home.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care utilizes manual manipulation of the spine to restore the normal movement and position of the spinal vertebrae. It is by far the single-most effective treatment for minimizing the long-term impact of whiplash injuries, especially when coupled with massage therapy, trigger point therapy, exercise rehabilitation and other soft tissue rehabilitation modalities.
Soft Tissue Rehabilitation
The term ‘soft tissue’ simply refers to anything that is not bone, such as your muscles, ligaments, tendons, nervous system, spinal discs and internal organs. During a whiplash injury, the tissues that are affected most are the soft tissues, the muscles, ligaments and discs in particular. In order to minimize permanent impairment and disability, it is important to use therapies that stimulate the soft tissues to heal correctly. These include massage therapy, electro-stimulation, trigger point therapy, stretching and specific strength and range of motion exercises.
Home Care
The most effective chiropractic care and soft tissue rehabilitation will be limited in its benefit if what you do at home or at work stresses or re-injures you on a daily basis. For this reason, it is important that your plan of care extend into the hours and days between your clinic visits to help speed your recovery. Some of the more common home care therapies are the application of ice packs, limitations on work or daily activities, specific stretches and exercises, taking nutritional supplements and getting plenty of rest.
Medical Intervention
In some severe cases of whiplash, it may be necessary to have some medical care as part of your overall treatment plan. The most common medical treatments include the use of anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, trigger point injections and, in some cases, epidural spinal injections. These therapies should be used for short-term relief of pain, if necessary, and not be the focus of treatment. After all, a drug cannot restore normal joint movement and stimulate healthy muscle repair. Fortunately, surgery is only needed in some cases of herniated discs, when the disc is pressing on the spinal cord, and in some cases of spine fractures.
Low Impact injuries from Auto/Car Accidents or Wrecks
When assessing injury in patients after a
MVA, should speed of the impact be considered? Here is what Arthur
Croft, DC, MS, MPH, FACO of the Spine Research Institute of San Diego
has to say:
“Here, the relationship between property damage and injury risk is nonlinear. In the lower velocity range, vehicles are relatively stiff, the collisions more elastic. In engineering parlance, there is a relatively higher coefficient of restitution in lower velocity crashes. Then, as crash velocity increases, so too does the amount of residual crush of the vehicle. Interestingly, though, the actual risk to the occupants decreases as this occurs. This has been demonstrated in several studies. So, over this range of crash velocities, there is no good correlation between injury risk, injury severity, or long-term outcome and property damage. This is, of course, an important distinction to understand.”
Here is an article which explains how insurance companies are perpetuating the myth that injurie are not likely at low impact: DISPELLING THE MYTHS THAT YOU CANNOT BE INJURED IN A “LOW IMPACT” AUTO ACCIDENT
Great article laying out the truth about low impact injuries: Soft Tissue Injuries From A Low Impact Auto Accident
The research is overwhelming in showing that injuries and even death can occur in low impact crashes.
“Here, the relationship between property damage and injury risk is nonlinear. In the lower velocity range, vehicles are relatively stiff, the collisions more elastic. In engineering parlance, there is a relatively higher coefficient of restitution in lower velocity crashes. Then, as crash velocity increases, so too does the amount of residual crush of the vehicle. Interestingly, though, the actual risk to the occupants decreases as this occurs. This has been demonstrated in several studies. So, over this range of crash velocities, there is no good correlation between injury risk, injury severity, or long-term outcome and property damage. This is, of course, an important distinction to understand.”
Here is an article which explains how insurance companies are perpetuating the myth that injurie are not likely at low impact: DISPELLING THE MYTHS THAT YOU CANNOT BE INJURED IN A “LOW IMPACT” AUTO ACCIDENT
Great article laying out the truth about low impact injuries: Soft Tissue Injuries From A Low Impact Auto Accident
The research is overwhelming in showing that injuries and even death can occur in low impact crashes.
Get Examined after a Car/Auto Accident!!
Untreated, many people suffer with
headaches, back, and neck pain for years after an accident.
Chiropractic patient care has been shown to provide effective relief
from the sprain and strain resulting from motor vehicle accident
injuries.
Whiplash injury is the effect of sprain and strain in the neck, and results from injury to joints, nerves, ligaments and muscles of the cervical spine.
When there is an impact to the vehicle, most often from the rear, and the neck is "whipped" back and forth, this is technically termed hyperextension and hyperflexion of the cervical spine. Nerves are often injured during this process and can cause a radiation of pain to the arms or legs, nausea, dizziness, blurred vision or other symptoms.
skull neck bonesWhen viewing a x-ray of the neck after a whiplash injury, there is most often a loss of the natural curvature, or lordosis. Medical radiologists will note this condition when reading a patient's x-rays, disregarding whiplash as they do not consider it momentous, and some ignore whiplash altogether if it does not present itself in an X ray. Conditions can present themselves after a patient has been released and made a settlement without an attorney. This means that they have to take care of all the medical bills themselves if not covered.
Unfortunately, if this condition is left untreated after the swelling goes down, whiplash injury can contribute to many different symptoms and health problems that can lead to arthritis in the spine that could have been prevented.
Specialized Chiropractic care provides relief of pain, removes pressure or "pinching" that can cause damage to nerves, and prevents the proliferation of spinal arthritis by normalizing the movement of individual segments of the spine, thereby resolving the "wear and tear" that otherwise occurs.
Chiropractic treatment truly rehabilitates the areas of injury, by helping to restore the natural curves of the spine, along with exercises and other positive treatment. It is rare that in this type of treatment you will hear a Chiropractor say to you, "you have to learn to live with it."
Most vehicle insurance companies will cover the fees for Chiropractic treatment applied for in full for injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents, either through third party or State or medical pay type insurance, or both.
Look for a Chiropractic office that can provide service to verify insurance coverage and to directly bill the carriers involved as a courtesy to their patients. You need to be able to pursue the care you need without the stress of handling insurance and related concerns. You can choose to handle the financial aspect of care on your own or in whatever ways you choose.
Motor vehicle accidents can cause injury and pain in other areas of the spine and body. Patients often complain of associated shoulder pain, upper back pain, lower back pain, and pain to the hips and legs. When multiple areas of the spine are involved, the condition is more complex. Treatment may need to be over a period of weeks, usually resulting in the patient getting full movement and full recovery.
Make An Appointment Today! @ Ndallaschiropractic.com
Whiplash injury is the effect of sprain and strain in the neck, and results from injury to joints, nerves, ligaments and muscles of the cervical spine.
When there is an impact to the vehicle, most often from the rear, and the neck is "whipped" back and forth, this is technically termed hyperextension and hyperflexion of the cervical spine. Nerves are often injured during this process and can cause a radiation of pain to the arms or legs, nausea, dizziness, blurred vision or other symptoms.
skull neck bonesWhen viewing a x-ray of the neck after a whiplash injury, there is most often a loss of the natural curvature, or lordosis. Medical radiologists will note this condition when reading a patient's x-rays, disregarding whiplash as they do not consider it momentous, and some ignore whiplash altogether if it does not present itself in an X ray. Conditions can present themselves after a patient has been released and made a settlement without an attorney. This means that they have to take care of all the medical bills themselves if not covered.
Unfortunately, if this condition is left untreated after the swelling goes down, whiplash injury can contribute to many different symptoms and health problems that can lead to arthritis in the spine that could have been prevented.
Specialized Chiropractic care provides relief of pain, removes pressure or "pinching" that can cause damage to nerves, and prevents the proliferation of spinal arthritis by normalizing the movement of individual segments of the spine, thereby resolving the "wear and tear" that otherwise occurs.
Chiropractic treatment truly rehabilitates the areas of injury, by helping to restore the natural curves of the spine, along with exercises and other positive treatment. It is rare that in this type of treatment you will hear a Chiropractor say to you, "you have to learn to live with it."
Most vehicle insurance companies will cover the fees for Chiropractic treatment applied for in full for injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents, either through third party or State or medical pay type insurance, or both.
Look for a Chiropractic office that can provide service to verify insurance coverage and to directly bill the carriers involved as a courtesy to their patients. You need to be able to pursue the care you need without the stress of handling insurance and related concerns. You can choose to handle the financial aspect of care on your own or in whatever ways you choose.
Motor vehicle accidents can cause injury and pain in other areas of the spine and body. Patients often complain of associated shoulder pain, upper back pain, lower back pain, and pain to the hips and legs. When multiple areas of the spine are involved, the condition is more complex. Treatment may need to be over a period of weeks, usually resulting in the patient getting full movement and full recovery.
Make An Appointment Today! @ Ndallaschiropractic.com
Auto Accidents could cause many troubles to the parties involved.
Auto
Accidents could cause many troubles to the parties involved. Even
cautious drivers can be involved in automobile accidents caused by
negligence of other drivers.
Factors Contributing to Auto Accident
Several factors could contribute to auto accidents. Here are some of them:
• Intoxicated Driver - Drivers that cause auto accidents are often
found to be intoxicated at the time of the accident. A person driving
under the influence of alcohol or of dangerous drugs often makes poor
decisions and their visions are affected.
Because of the risk involved in driving of an intoxicated person,
there are laws in each state, which prohibits driving of a person
under the influence of any harmful substance.
• Poor Vision - people with disabilities should be extra careful in driving for they are putting not only their lives at risk but also of people around them.
• Weather condition - Some roads are extra slippery when wet and so
extra caution should be taken by drivers to avoid any accident.
• Defects of Automobiles - Parts of cars like brakes, clutches, and
tires should always be maintained to ensure that you will not be
involved in any accident.
• Lack of Traffic Lights and Signs - Proper signage that would announce the road’s condition is important to avoid accidents.
There are other causes of accidents on roads. Most of them are caused
by negligent drivers while others are caused by unforeseeable
occurrence.
Results of Car Accidents
There are three common categories of the possible outcome of an auto accident. They are:
• Damage of Property - These include properties such as the other person’s car or vehicle, monuments, pavements, gutters, or private properties that are damaged because of the accident.
• Injury - Injuries could be either mild or severe. There are severe
injuries in which a victim may not recover from and there are those
that need minimal medical treatment.
• Death - Death is the most devastating result of an accident. The offending party is obliged to give the family financial compensation for the damages that he had caused.
Ways to Avoid Auto Accidents
There could be long-term effects of an auto accident to a person. Some
even result to casualties. However, there are ways to prevent an Auto
Accident;
• Maintenance of the vehicle
• Alertness
• Observe Traffic Lights and Signs
• Avoid Speeding
• Be cautious of vehicles and people near you
• Maintain a considerable amount of distance from other vehicles
• Avoid swerving
Prevention is always better than cure. It is important to keep in mind these reminders to prevent any vehicular accident.
We can Help Victims of Automobile Accidents
Contact US Today!!
The truth about low impact injuries
Low Speed Auto Accidents
Thousands of car accidents occur everyday. And every day thousands are injured. Researchers note that the majority of auto accident injury claims occur at relatively low speeds of about 12 mph or less.
Car Accident Disputes
This causes tremendous disputes between injured parties and the insurance companies that are responsible for compensating them for their car accident claim. To insurers, there really is no speed at which they want to admit an injury could occur. For economic reasons they try to dismiss whiplash or car accident injuries entirely, as if they don’t exist.
Thanks to recent irrefutable research studies proving the existence and exact mechanism of whiplash car injuries, insurers are hard pressed to try the “whiplash is a hoax” defense nearly as much as in the past.
A more recent tactic is to claim the speed of the collision is too low to cause injury. Enter the “low speed collision” or “slow speed collision” defense. The defense often relies on their insured’s reports of how fast they were going when they ran into the back of the other party-obviously biased data.
Other times photographs of the vehicle damage is used to show a low speed car accident. Often, the photographs are shown to an Accident Reconstructionist who by merely looking at photographic damage of a car crash then renders an opinion on how fast the vehicles were traveling. They will even go so far to make statements such as “the evidence suggests there was insufficient force to cause human bodily injury…” This would be laughable if it didn’t cause so many problems for injured car accident victims. By the way, in most states Auto Crash Reconstructionists are only allowed to testify or ender an expert opinion as to vehicle damage. They are not trained to determine bodily injury.
The Truth
Here are but a few facts concerning motor vehicle injuries and their relationship to speed with supporting scientific evidence.
Three different studies (Panjabi, Panjabi and Cholewicki and Kaneoka) proved the mechanism by which the neck is injured by a rear impact force simulating a car accident. [1], [2], [3] The studies involved simulating a rear impact collision on live human test subjects and recording the results with cineradiography (high speed motion x-rays). The researchers found that the neck was injured by deforming into an “S- shaped” configuration within fractions of a second of the impact before the occupant is aware of the impact and before reflexes can protect them. All three of these studies found that this physical event occurred at speeds as low as 2.5 mph. In other words, when they simulated car crashes sufficient to cause the head to move in relationship to the body at a rate of 2.5 mph, injuries were recorded.
The radiographically proven human threshold for injury in a rear impact auto accident therefore is 2.5 mph. Other authors have disputed these figures and some insurance company sponsored studies have found the threshold to be closer to 5 mph.
For the sake of argument, let’s stipulate that the 5 mph threshold is correct. It still means that a collision of only 5 mph can cause damage to the neck.
Freeman et. al. in Spine, Vol. 23, Number 9, 1998, p. 1046 shows the damage thresholds for many cars. This is the minimum speed required to cause the car to show visible signs of damage. The smallest, lightest vehicle listed was the 1980 Toyota Tercel, which required a collision of 8.1 mph to become damaged. On the other end of the spectrum was the 1989 Chevrolet Citation, which required 12.7 mph. A Ford F-250 pick up required 11.7 mph.
Cars built today are equipped with rear bumpers designed not to show any damage below 5 mph. In an attempt to reduce repair costs shouldered by insurance companies, crash standards were adopted to mandate rear bumpers must withstand a 5 mph collision into a fixed barrier (wall, pole, etc) without any visible evidence of damage. It should be noted that this standard involves testing of “vehicle to barrier” crashes not “vehicle to vehicle” testing.
Hitting a pole as in “vehicle to barrier” testing yields more damage at lower speeds. The barrier does not move or absorb any energy.
In “vehicle to vehicle” crashes where the bumpers line up well, it takes considerably more force to cause visible bumper damage than a 5 mph collision. Some tests have shown that cars could be crashed repeatedly at 20 mph and not show outer damage. In a “vehicle to vehicle” crash it is estimated that the minimum speed to cause visible damage is approximately 15 mph.
What happens to the occupant in these collisions is what matters. If you are backing up in a parking lot and run into a pole at 6 mph. You will feel a crunch and a bump. You’ll be startled and upset about your bumper, but it is unlikley you’ll be injured.
On the other hand, if you are stopped in a parking lot waiting for a space and another vehicle strikes you at 12 mph (the average speed of a car in a parking lot) you will likely feel a tremendous jolt, hear a loud bang and your car will be pushed forward a few feet. It is probable that your neck will be injured, although it may not show up for hours or days, but your bumper may not even show a dent.
In the first scenario all the energy of the crash was absorbed by the bumper. In the second, some of the energy was bled off into the two vehicles, but much of it was transmitted into your body causing your neck to deform into the “S” configuration resulting in injury.
Another consideration is that while a bumper may look undamaged from the outside after a collision, inside under the skin, the foam or plastic may be crushed or cracked. This is not seen from the outside, so photographs would make it appear as if no damage was sustained. Still further, the bumper may appear intact, but on unibody vehicles, the unibody may be bent or deformed by a collision. This may not be apparent and some auto repair facilities may miss it.
So what does this mean? It means that if you are rear-ended and your bumper is cracked, dented, or misplaced at all, your collision involved speeds in excess of 15 mph. That’s 3 times the human threshold for injury if we use the 5 mph figure. In reality, the proven threshold is only 2.5 mph, so a collision of 15 mph is 6 times the threshold for injury.
Now let’s say your vehicle sustained no visible damage, but your neck hurts after the collision. Does that mean you weren’t really injured? No. It means that the vehicle’s threshold for damage was not exceeded. The impact could have been 10 mph. Too low for bumper damage, but still 4 times the threshold for human injury.
In a low speed collision, the kinetic forces that are transferred from the other vehicle into your vehicle are not dampened or bled off by your bumper. Instead, the force is transmitted through the vehicle, into your seat and to your neck resulting in injury. If your body or neck are jolted or jerked by the impact, an injury could occur.
Another aspect to consider is if your vehicle is moved forward by the impact. An average car weighs close to 4,000 lbs. Let’s say you are hit from behind and your car is pushed forward a few feet, but shows no signs of bumper damage. Is it possible to be hurt? Yes, of course. The force required to move a stationary 4,000 lb object is tremendous. Can you walk up to a car sitting at a red light with its brakes on and shove it forward even an inch? Not likely. A collision that is strong enough to propel a car forward by even inches is plenty enough force to cause a whiplash injury.
So, as you have now learned, there really shouldn’t be any dispute on whether a low speed car accident collision can cause injuries. It has been scientifically proven by several studies. It is also a fact that the speed required to cause bodily injury is quite low, a scant 2.5 mph. It has also been shown that any accident that causes damage to the rear bumper is likely to cause injuries and even in accidents where there is no outward physical damage to the vehicle, there may still be sufficient forces involved to cause bodily injuries.
About North Dallas Chiropractic
They are a car accident injury specialist. They specializes in back pain and neck pain from car accidents. Their opinion is often sought by other doctors, attorneys and insurance companies. You may contact North Dallas Chiropracitc at (972) 392-4476 for a Car Accident Severity consultation. North Dallas Chiropractic
References
Panjabi MM, Grauer JN (1997): “Whiplash produces a S-shape curvature of the neck with hyperextension at lower levels. ” Spine 22 (21): 2489-94.
Panjabi MM, Cholewicki J, Nibu K, Grauer JN, Babat LB, Dvorak J, Bar HF (1998-12-01): “[Biomechanics of whiplash injury].” Orthopade 1998 Dec; 27(12): 813-9.
Koji Kaneoka, Koshiro Ono, Satoshi Inami and Koichiro Hayashi (99-04-15). “Motion analysis of cervical vertebrae during whiplash loading.” Spine 24(8): 763-770
Characteristics of Specific Automobile Bumpers in Low Velocity Impacts, SAE 940916
Thousands of car accidents occur everyday. And every day thousands are injured. Researchers note that the majority of auto accident injury claims occur at relatively low speeds of about 12 mph or less.
Car Accident Disputes
This causes tremendous disputes between injured parties and the insurance companies that are responsible for compensating them for their car accident claim. To insurers, there really is no speed at which they want to admit an injury could occur. For economic reasons they try to dismiss whiplash or car accident injuries entirely, as if they don’t exist.
Thanks to recent irrefutable research studies proving the existence and exact mechanism of whiplash car injuries, insurers are hard pressed to try the “whiplash is a hoax” defense nearly as much as in the past.
A more recent tactic is to claim the speed of the collision is too low to cause injury. Enter the “low speed collision” or “slow speed collision” defense. The defense often relies on their insured’s reports of how fast they were going when they ran into the back of the other party-obviously biased data.
Other times photographs of the vehicle damage is used to show a low speed car accident. Often, the photographs are shown to an Accident Reconstructionist who by merely looking at photographic damage of a car crash then renders an opinion on how fast the vehicles were traveling. They will even go so far to make statements such as “the evidence suggests there was insufficient force to cause human bodily injury…” This would be laughable if it didn’t cause so many problems for injured car accident victims. By the way, in most states Auto Crash Reconstructionists are only allowed to testify or ender an expert opinion as to vehicle damage. They are not trained to determine bodily injury.
The Truth
Here are but a few facts concerning motor vehicle injuries and their relationship to speed with supporting scientific evidence.
Three different studies (Panjabi, Panjabi and Cholewicki and Kaneoka) proved the mechanism by which the neck is injured by a rear impact force simulating a car accident. [1], [2], [3] The studies involved simulating a rear impact collision on live human test subjects and recording the results with cineradiography (high speed motion x-rays). The researchers found that the neck was injured by deforming into an “S- shaped” configuration within fractions of a second of the impact before the occupant is aware of the impact and before reflexes can protect them. All three of these studies found that this physical event occurred at speeds as low as 2.5 mph. In other words, when they simulated car crashes sufficient to cause the head to move in relationship to the body at a rate of 2.5 mph, injuries were recorded.
The radiographically proven human threshold for injury in a rear impact auto accident therefore is 2.5 mph. Other authors have disputed these figures and some insurance company sponsored studies have found the threshold to be closer to 5 mph.
For the sake of argument, let’s stipulate that the 5 mph threshold is correct. It still means that a collision of only 5 mph can cause damage to the neck.
Freeman et. al. in Spine, Vol. 23, Number 9, 1998, p. 1046 shows the damage thresholds for many cars. This is the minimum speed required to cause the car to show visible signs of damage. The smallest, lightest vehicle listed was the 1980 Toyota Tercel, which required a collision of 8.1 mph to become damaged. On the other end of the spectrum was the 1989 Chevrolet Citation, which required 12.7 mph. A Ford F-250 pick up required 11.7 mph.
Cars built today are equipped with rear bumpers designed not to show any damage below 5 mph. In an attempt to reduce repair costs shouldered by insurance companies, crash standards were adopted to mandate rear bumpers must withstand a 5 mph collision into a fixed barrier (wall, pole, etc) without any visible evidence of damage. It should be noted that this standard involves testing of “vehicle to barrier” crashes not “vehicle to vehicle” testing.
Hitting a pole as in “vehicle to barrier” testing yields more damage at lower speeds. The barrier does not move or absorb any energy.
In “vehicle to vehicle” crashes where the bumpers line up well, it takes considerably more force to cause visible bumper damage than a 5 mph collision. Some tests have shown that cars could be crashed repeatedly at 20 mph and not show outer damage. In a “vehicle to vehicle” crash it is estimated that the minimum speed to cause visible damage is approximately 15 mph.
What happens to the occupant in these collisions is what matters. If you are backing up in a parking lot and run into a pole at 6 mph. You will feel a crunch and a bump. You’ll be startled and upset about your bumper, but it is unlikley you’ll be injured.
On the other hand, if you are stopped in a parking lot waiting for a space and another vehicle strikes you at 12 mph (the average speed of a car in a parking lot) you will likely feel a tremendous jolt, hear a loud bang and your car will be pushed forward a few feet. It is probable that your neck will be injured, although it may not show up for hours or days, but your bumper may not even show a dent.
In the first scenario all the energy of the crash was absorbed by the bumper. In the second, some of the energy was bled off into the two vehicles, but much of it was transmitted into your body causing your neck to deform into the “S” configuration resulting in injury.
Another consideration is that while a bumper may look undamaged from the outside after a collision, inside under the skin, the foam or plastic may be crushed or cracked. This is not seen from the outside, so photographs would make it appear as if no damage was sustained. Still further, the bumper may appear intact, but on unibody vehicles, the unibody may be bent or deformed by a collision. This may not be apparent and some auto repair facilities may miss it.
So what does this mean? It means that if you are rear-ended and your bumper is cracked, dented, or misplaced at all, your collision involved speeds in excess of 15 mph. That’s 3 times the human threshold for injury if we use the 5 mph figure. In reality, the proven threshold is only 2.5 mph, so a collision of 15 mph is 6 times the threshold for injury.
Now let’s say your vehicle sustained no visible damage, but your neck hurts after the collision. Does that mean you weren’t really injured? No. It means that the vehicle’s threshold for damage was not exceeded. The impact could have been 10 mph. Too low for bumper damage, but still 4 times the threshold for human injury.
In a low speed collision, the kinetic forces that are transferred from the other vehicle into your vehicle are not dampened or bled off by your bumper. Instead, the force is transmitted through the vehicle, into your seat and to your neck resulting in injury. If your body or neck are jolted or jerked by the impact, an injury could occur.
Another aspect to consider is if your vehicle is moved forward by the impact. An average car weighs close to 4,000 lbs. Let’s say you are hit from behind and your car is pushed forward a few feet, but shows no signs of bumper damage. Is it possible to be hurt? Yes, of course. The force required to move a stationary 4,000 lb object is tremendous. Can you walk up to a car sitting at a red light with its brakes on and shove it forward even an inch? Not likely. A collision that is strong enough to propel a car forward by even inches is plenty enough force to cause a whiplash injury.
So, as you have now learned, there really shouldn’t be any dispute on whether a low speed car accident collision can cause injuries. It has been scientifically proven by several studies. It is also a fact that the speed required to cause bodily injury is quite low, a scant 2.5 mph. It has also been shown that any accident that causes damage to the rear bumper is likely to cause injuries and even in accidents where there is no outward physical damage to the vehicle, there may still be sufficient forces involved to cause bodily injuries.
About North Dallas Chiropractic
They are a car accident injury specialist. They specializes in back pain and neck pain from car accidents. Their opinion is often sought by other doctors, attorneys and insurance companies. You may contact North Dallas Chiropracitc at (972) 392-4476 for a Car Accident Severity consultation. North Dallas Chiropractic
References
Panjabi MM, Grauer JN (1997): “Whiplash produces a S-shape curvature of the neck with hyperextension at lower levels. ” Spine 22 (21): 2489-94.
Panjabi MM, Cholewicki J, Nibu K, Grauer JN, Babat LB, Dvorak J, Bar HF (1998-12-01): “[Biomechanics of whiplash injury].” Orthopade 1998 Dec; 27(12): 813-9.
Koji Kaneoka, Koshiro Ono, Satoshi Inami and Koichiro Hayashi (99-04-15). “Motion analysis of cervical vertebrae during whiplash loading.” Spine 24(8): 763-770
Characteristics of Specific Automobile Bumpers in Low Velocity Impacts, SAE 940916
Low Back Pain
Low
back pain is the cause of many patients who limp, hobble or even crawl
in to our office. It’s not surprising to learn that Low back pain
results in millions of dollars of lost work and untold suffering every
day.
Low back pain usually falls in to one of the following categories:
1. Patients have experienced chronic long term pain or discomfort with multiple episodes of increased pain which come and go.
Many of these people either cover the pain with OTC or prescription medications, or decide to just live with it. The problem is that all medications have both short and long term side effects. Only in rare cases should this be considered as a long term treatment option to this typically correctable problem.
Low back pain usually falls in to one of the following categories:
1. Patients have experienced chronic long term pain or discomfort with multiple episodes of increased pain which come and go.
Many of these people either cover the pain with OTC or prescription medications, or decide to just live with it. The problem is that all medications have both short and long term side effects. Only in rare cases should this be considered as a long term treatment option to this typically correctable problem.
As far as just living with the pain, two areas must be considered.
First, pain is NOT normal, so there IS something wrong. Ignoring it or just dealing with it allows the condition to progress undiagnosed and untreated. Lastly, why live with it and the effects it can have on your QUALITY of life, if you don't have to.
2. These patients are the limpers, hobblers and crawlers. Their pain started all at once and hit hard and fast. We typically hear something like "I just reached down to pick up a book and my back went out." Another common statement goes something like "I have never had low back pain before."
This type of condition can stop even the most determined and tough individual in their tracks and literally bring them to their knees. This can be a very scary time for those who have never experienced this before.
Typically our spinal examination reveals long time trauma or misalignment of the Lumbar vertebrae, the sacrum or the hips. The body has gotten to a point where it is overcome by these conditions and literally stops functioning properly.
NOTE: There are a number of causes of low back pain. Most who seek out our office fall into the category of Chiropractic care to fix the CAUSE of the problem. We have great success with these patients. Occasionally, we find that the problem is not musculo-skeletal related and in these cases, they are referred to to another type of Doctor who specializes in their particular condition.
First, pain is NOT normal, so there IS something wrong. Ignoring it or just dealing with it allows the condition to progress undiagnosed and untreated. Lastly, why live with it and the effects it can have on your QUALITY of life, if you don't have to.
2. These patients are the limpers, hobblers and crawlers. Their pain started all at once and hit hard and fast. We typically hear something like "I just reached down to pick up a book and my back went out." Another common statement goes something like "I have never had low back pain before."
This type of condition can stop even the most determined and tough individual in their tracks and literally bring them to their knees. This can be a very scary time for those who have never experienced this before.
Typically our spinal examination reveals long time trauma or misalignment of the Lumbar vertebrae, the sacrum or the hips. The body has gotten to a point where it is overcome by these conditions and literally stops functioning properly.
NOTE: There are a number of causes of low back pain. Most who seek out our office fall into the category of Chiropractic care to fix the CAUSE of the problem. We have great success with these patients. Occasionally, we find that the problem is not musculo-skeletal related and in these cases, they are referred to to another type of Doctor who specializes in their particular condition.
BACK PAIN
In addition to whiplash/neck injuries, the mid and lower back are also frequently injured in motor vehicle accidents (MVA's).
The Mid Back
The mid back or thoracic spine is most commonly injured as a result of the asymmetry of most seat belt designs. As the torso moves forward the seat belt locks and the torso is forced to stop at the end of the shoulder strap. Because the shoulder strap crosses only one shoulder (usually the left), the side without a strap (usually right) is able to travel forward further which results in a forward flexing and twisting injury to the mid back. For additional information on mid back pain, see " Mid Back Pain ".
The Lower Back
The lumbar spine is also frequently injured, but the mechanism differs from the above. As the torso and pelvis move forward the pelvis is stopped by the lap belt. However, the torso continues to move forward which producing a shearing force in the lumbar spine. These injuries often result in lumbar disc injuries. For additional information on low back pain and lower back injuries, see " Low Back Pain ".
Pain Sources
The Mid Back
The mid back or thoracic spine is most commonly injured as a result of the asymmetry of most seat belt designs. As the torso moves forward the seat belt locks and the torso is forced to stop at the end of the shoulder strap. Because the shoulder strap crosses only one shoulder (usually the left), the side without a strap (usually right) is able to travel forward further which results in a forward flexing and twisting injury to the mid back. For additional information on mid back pain, see " Mid Back Pain ".
The Lower Back
The lumbar spine is also frequently injured, but the mechanism differs from the above. As the torso and pelvis move forward the pelvis is stopped by the lap belt. However, the torso continues to move forward which producing a shearing force in the lumbar spine. These injuries often result in lumbar disc injuries. For additional information on low back pain and lower back injuries, see " Low Back Pain ".
Pain Sources
Spinal injuries can damage a number of pain sensitive structures located in the spinal region. Some of the more common structures that are damaged and that have innervation which allows them to transmit pain include:
- anterior longitudinal ligament (runs down the front of the vertebral bodies-prevents excessive extension)
- outer layers of intervertebral disc (located between adjacent vertebrae)
- posterior longitudinal ligament (runs down the back of the vertebral bodies-prevents excessive flexion)
- nerve root dura
- capsule of the facet joints
- intervertebral ligaments
- extensor musculature
- flexor musculature: the colli and scalenes
When these tissues are injured, pain is experienced. Damage
to these structures also results in tissue inflammation, edema,
microscopic hemorrhage, and the release of noxious chemicals such as
histamine, prostaglandins, substance P, and kinins which further
hypersensitize already painful and injured tissues.
In addition, when spinal injury occurs spinal muscles often
reflexively spasm to protect the area from further injury - whether or
not the muscles are injured. This spasming can lead to muscle ischemia
(lack of oxygen) due to increased energy demands.
WHIPLASH
Whiplash
is the most common injury sequelae following motor vehicle accidents.
Speeds of as little as 5 mph have been documented to result in
whiplash injuries. And although whiplash is prevalent in today's
society with hundreds of studies on the topic, it is not yet fully
understood.
What is whiplash?
The term "whiplash" was coined by Dr. Harold Crowe back in 1928. It is used to refer to:
How long do whiplash treatments take?
As with any other injury, there are a number of factors which influence the treatment length of whiplash injuries:
Will I have future problems from my whiplash injury?
Numerous studies show that many whiplash victims have a relatively poor outcome without immediate and appropriate treatment. One such study found that 75% of patients with whiplash still suffer from symptoms 6 months after the accident. Experts agree that individuals with any degree of neck complaints following a motor vehicle accident dramatically improve their prognosis if they seek immediate evaluation and appropriate treatment within hours of the accident.
Interesting whiplash statistics.
What is whiplash?
The term "whiplash" was coined by Dr. Harold Crowe back in 1928. It is used to refer to:
- the hyperextension/hyperflexion injury of the neck, and
- the resulting symptoms of this injury - sustained from a motor vehicle accident.
What symptoms are associated with whiplash?
Symptoms following a "whiplash" accident include:
- neck pain, tenderness, achiness and stiffness
- cervical muscle spasms
- tenderness and nodules in superficial cervical musculature
- cervical reduced range of motion
- post-traumatic headaches (including migraine and muscle-tension headaches)
- shoulder and interscapular pain
- hand and finger pain, numbness and tingling
- blurred vision
- difficulty swallowing/feeling of lump in throat
- dizziness and balance problems
- lightheadedness
- post-traumatic depression and cognitive problems
What structures are damaged in whiplash injuries?
Whiplash
injuries can damage just a few structures or many, depending on the
severity of the accident and direction of the injurious forces, to name
a few.
Some of the more common pain-sensitive structures that are damaged include:
- outer layers of the intervertebral discs
- intervertebral ligaments
- capsule of the facet joints
- anterior longitudinal ligament (runs down the front of the vertebral bodies-prevents excessive extension)
- posterior longitudinal ligament (runs down the back of the vertebral bodies-prevents excessive flexion)
- nerve root dura
- extensor spinal musculature
- flexor spinal musculature: the colli and scalene muscles
Damage
to any of these structures results in tissue inflammation, tissue
edema, microscopic hemorrhage, and the release of noxious chemicals such
as histamine, prostaglandins, substance P, and kinins which further
hypersensitize already painful and injured tissues.
How is whiplash treated?
The
most important aspect of a successful treatment program involves
active patient participation and patient compliance to the agreed upon
program. When treatments focus solely on pain-relief and not tissue
rehabilitation or when patients fail to comply with the prescribed
treatment plan, the chronicity of problems becomes highly likely.
The
chiropractic approach to treating whiplash injuries is highly
successful compared with other health care professionals because
chiropractors focus on rehabilitating the injured tissues and restoring
optimal function. This is reflected in the high patient satisfaction
scores that chiropractors have received in "patient satisfaction
surveys" performed on MVA patients.
Chiropractic
care is a safe, natural, noninvasive, and addresses the cause of the
symptoms. Our treatments also include active patient participation,
and in some cases, lifestyle modifications. While we do focus on
eliminating pain early on, we realize that in addition to pain -
optimal tissue healing, restoration of normal function, and prevention
of future recurrences and reinjuries - are equally important.
Our
treatments are highlighted by our use of many gentle and highly
effective spinal adjustive techniques. When used properly, these
techniques allow us to safely and effectively reduce pain levels, reduce
muscles spasms, eliminate inflammation, restore normal joint motion
and biomechanics, prevent or minimize degenerative processes, and
minimize the likelihood of future recurrences.
We
also incorporate many natural and safe adjunctive therapies into our
treatment plan to further assist in the healing process. Some common
adjunctive therapies include ice therapy, heat therapy, physical
therapies like therapeutic ultrasound and muscle stimulation, spinal
traction, soft tissue mobilization, spinal exercises and stretches, and
nutritional supplementation.
How long do whiplash treatments take?
As with any other injury, there are a number of factors which influence the treatment length of whiplash injuries:
- the severity of the injury
- when treatment was initiated
- patient compliance to the treatment plan
- the nature of the accident
- the size and speed of your vehicle and other vehicles involved
- whether or not seat belts were worn
- whether you were aware of the impending accident
- the height of the head rest
- the age of the individual
- the size and strength of the cervical musculature
- the presence of preexisting spinal conditions
Will I have future problems from my whiplash injury?
Numerous studies show that many whiplash victims have a relatively poor outcome without immediate and appropriate treatment. One such study found that 75% of patients with whiplash still suffer from symptoms 6 months after the accident. Experts agree that individuals with any degree of neck complaints following a motor vehicle accident dramatically improve their prognosis if they seek immediate evaluation and appropriate treatment within hours of the accident.
Interesting whiplash statistics.
- whiplash symptoms last more than 6 months in 75% of patients
- symptoms of whiplash commonly do not appear until weeks or months after the accident
- whiplash victims lose an average of 8 weeks of work
- whiplash is 5 times more common in women than in men
- whiplash occurs most commonly in those aged 30 to 50 years
- rear-end collisions typically cause more cervical spine damage than do frontal or side collisions
What is Personal Injury Protection?
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
The Texas Department of Insurance requires automobile insurance carriers in our state to issue all automobile policies it writes at least $2500 worth of coverage and you have this coverage unless you reject it in writing. Most people are unaware of this coverage or even know what it is and therefore very few people use it. You end up paying for coverage that they don’t inform you about and you’re entitled to.
Why? Insurance is not understood and most people rely on their agent and claims adjusters to advise them on what to do after an accident. Insurance is a multi-billion dollar industry and are in business to make money. They keep their costs down, less payout, more profits and bonuses at the end of the year. Good for them and not for you.
What is PIP?
PIP is no fault coverage similar to health insurance but on your auto policy for your injuries and your passengers injuries. This coverage is available regardless who is at fault. Yes, you can be the cause of the accident and you will still be covered. There’s no deductible and no co-payment. There is other separate coverage that will cover the other party if you were at fault. If you do not have PIP then you could still be covered if you were in an accident in another state besides Texas. You may also be covered if you were hit in a crosswalk by a car or on a bicycle or borrowing someone else’s car.
What will a claim do to my insurance rates and policy renewal?
Under section 5.7016 of the Texas insurance code, automobile insurance carriers cannot non-renew you for filing one PIP claim in a 12 month period. Also, it is unlikely that they would raise your rates for a sole PIP claim.
Why doesn’t the other guy’s insurance pay for my medical expenses and why should I use my insurance?
Medical treatment is expensive and you are liable for the costs. There is a chance that the other party may never pay for your medical expenses leaving you a financial burden. PIP gives you peace of mind that your medical bills are covered. If you use your health insurance, you may have to pay a deductible and co-pays to your doctor and if the health insurance finds out that you were in an accident they could request to be reimbursed. Some people get referred to a medical provider by their attorney and the medical provider agrees to be paid months or even years later. Since there are a limited number of medical providers who agree to this arrangement, your choice and quality of healthcare may be limited. The answer is to use your PIP coverage so you will not have to pay for medical expenses out of your pocket and get the best possible healthcare treatment available for you and your family’s injuries caused by the accident.
The Texas Department of Insurance requires automobile insurance carriers in our state to issue all automobile policies it writes at least $2500 worth of coverage and you have this coverage unless you reject it in writing. Most people are unaware of this coverage or even know what it is and therefore very few people use it. You end up paying for coverage that they don’t inform you about and you’re entitled to.
Why? Insurance is not understood and most people rely on their agent and claims adjusters to advise them on what to do after an accident. Insurance is a multi-billion dollar industry and are in business to make money. They keep their costs down, less payout, more profits and bonuses at the end of the year. Good for them and not for you.
What is PIP?
PIP is no fault coverage similar to health insurance but on your auto policy for your injuries and your passengers injuries. This coverage is available regardless who is at fault. Yes, you can be the cause of the accident and you will still be covered. There’s no deductible and no co-payment. There is other separate coverage that will cover the other party if you were at fault. If you do not have PIP then you could still be covered if you were in an accident in another state besides Texas. You may also be covered if you were hit in a crosswalk by a car or on a bicycle or borrowing someone else’s car.
What will a claim do to my insurance rates and policy renewal?
Under section 5.7016 of the Texas insurance code, automobile insurance carriers cannot non-renew you for filing one PIP claim in a 12 month period. Also, it is unlikely that they would raise your rates for a sole PIP claim.
Why doesn’t the other guy’s insurance pay for my medical expenses and why should I use my insurance?
Medical treatment is expensive and you are liable for the costs. There is a chance that the other party may never pay for your medical expenses leaving you a financial burden. PIP gives you peace of mind that your medical bills are covered. If you use your health insurance, you may have to pay a deductible and co-pays to your doctor and if the health insurance finds out that you were in an accident they could request to be reimbursed. Some people get referred to a medical provider by their attorney and the medical provider agrees to be paid months or even years later. Since there are a limited number of medical providers who agree to this arrangement, your choice and quality of healthcare may be limited. The answer is to use your PIP coverage so you will not have to pay for medical expenses out of your pocket and get the best possible healthcare treatment available for you and your family’s injuries caused by the accident.
Why should i get an attorney after an Auto/Car accident for my injuries?
An
attorney helps with all aspects of an auto/car accident claim or
injury. They keep an individual from spending countless hours on the
phone with insurance adjusters that really don't care about your well
being. It also helps to keep stress levels down and allow you to
concentrate on recovery and getting well. Our office only works with the
best attorneys/lawyers in Dallas/Fort Worth. We have learned through
trial and error, who best takes care of our patients. They also make
sure that all your medical bills are settled. This allows you to be
additionally stress and medical bill free at the end. We also help those
who are not able to treat in our office, who are in need of an
attorney. We are here to help!!! So don't hesitate in calling and making
an appointment to get examined and also ask about scheduling a free
consultation with a reputable attorney. You only have one body, so you
need to take care of it. Call Today!!! (972)215-7720
What is Personal Injury Protection?
The
Texas Department of Insurance requires automobile insurance carriers in
our state to issue all automobile policies it writes at least $2500
worth of coverage and you have this coverage unless you reject it in
writing. Most people are unaware of this coverage or even know what it
is and therefore very few people use it. You end up paying for coverage
that they don’t inform you about and you’re entitled to.
Why? Insurance is not understood and most people rely on their agent and claims adjusters to advise them on what to do after an accident. Insurance is a multi-billion dollar industry and are in business to make money. They keep their costs down, less payout, more profits and bonuses at the end of the year. Good for them and not for you.
What is PIP?
PIP is no fault coverage similar to health insurance but on your auto policy for your injuries and your passengers injuries. This coverage is available regardless who is at fault. Yes, you can be the cause of the accident and you will still be covered. There’s no deductible and no co-payment. There is other separate coverage that will cover the other party if you were at fault. If you do not have PIP then you could still be covered if you were in an accident in another state besides Texas. You may also be covered if you were hit in a crosswalk by a car or on a bicycle or borrowing someone else’s car.
What will a claim do to my insurance rates and policy renewal?
Under section 5.7016 of the Texas insurance code, automobile insurance carriers cannot non-renew you for filing one PIP claim in a 12 month period. Also, it is unlikely that they would raise your rates for a sole PIP claim.
Why doesn’t the other guy’s insurance pay for my medical expenses and why should I use my insurance?
Medical treatment is expensive and you are liable for the costs. There is a chance that the other party may never pay for your medical expenses leaving you a financial burden. PIP gives you peace of mind that your medical bills are covered. If you use your health insurance, you may have to pay a deductible and co-pays to your doctor and if the health insurance finds out that you were in an accident they could request to be reimbursed. Some people get referred to a medical provider by their attorney and the medical provider agrees to be paid months or even years later. Since there are a limited number of medical providers who agree to this arrangement, your choice and quality of healthcare may be limited. The answer is to use your PIP coverage so you will not have to pay for medical expenses out of your pocket and get the best possible healthcare treatment available for you and your family’s injuries caused by the accident.
Why? Insurance is not understood and most people rely on their agent and claims adjusters to advise them on what to do after an accident. Insurance is a multi-billion dollar industry and are in business to make money. They keep their costs down, less payout, more profits and bonuses at the end of the year. Good for them and not for you.
What is PIP?
PIP is no fault coverage similar to health insurance but on your auto policy for your injuries and your passengers injuries. This coverage is available regardless who is at fault. Yes, you can be the cause of the accident and you will still be covered. There’s no deductible and no co-payment. There is other separate coverage that will cover the other party if you were at fault. If you do not have PIP then you could still be covered if you were in an accident in another state besides Texas. You may also be covered if you were hit in a crosswalk by a car or on a bicycle or borrowing someone else’s car.
What will a claim do to my insurance rates and policy renewal?
Under section 5.7016 of the Texas insurance code, automobile insurance carriers cannot non-renew you for filing one PIP claim in a 12 month period. Also, it is unlikely that they would raise your rates for a sole PIP claim.
Why doesn’t the other guy’s insurance pay for my medical expenses and why should I use my insurance?
Medical treatment is expensive and you are liable for the costs. There is a chance that the other party may never pay for your medical expenses leaving you a financial burden. PIP gives you peace of mind that your medical bills are covered. If you use your health insurance, you may have to pay a deductible and co-pays to your doctor and if the health insurance finds out that you were in an accident they could request to be reimbursed. Some people get referred to a medical provider by their attorney and the medical provider agrees to be paid months or even years later. Since there are a limited number of medical providers who agree to this arrangement, your choice and quality of healthcare may be limited. The answer is to use your PIP coverage so you will not have to pay for medical expenses out of your pocket and get the best possible healthcare treatment available for you and your family’s injuries caused by the accident.
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