Auto Accident

Auto Accidents in Dallas

1.    Do I need an examination after I have been involved in an automobile accident even if I am not having any pain, soreness, or stiffness?

The short answer is absolutely! Symptoms like pain, soreness, or stiffness may not show up for a week. Worse yet, often people ignore warning signs and mask symptoms by taking painkillers.  Below are actual X-rays depicting how one man, age 28 at his time of accident, became worse over 14 years until he needed major spinal surgery at age 42.

	Eight weeks after auto accident.  Loss of normal curve is evident.  Patient complains of neck stiffness and headaches.  Has taken muscle relaxants and analgesics.		Two years after auto accident.  Slight decrease in height of cervical curve.  Patient had headaches and is complaining of tingling and numbness into hands.
	Four years after auto accident.  Definite degeneration taking place (slightly in front of bottom "x"). Has headaches, tingling and numbness frequently.		Seven years after auto accident. Severe degeneration and arthritis forming (in front of bottom "x").  Complains of constant tingling and numbness into both hands. Given narcotic for headaches, no relief.
	Nine years after auto accident.  Degeneration and arthritis throughout the lower neck.  Has carpal tunnel surgery, no relief.  no wonder, not due to carpal tunnel, it is from the neck.		Eleven years after auto accident.  Constant pain, stiffness, numbness and tingling in neck and both arms and hands.  Referred to pain management doctor. No relief!
	Thirteen years after auto accident.  Pain management, medication has all failed.  Patient in constant severe and referred for surgery		Fourteen years after auto accident patient has neck fused.  Will always have stiffness and decreased mobility.  Should have been treated earlier (1961-1963).

2.  Are there any reasons why I shouldn't have my family doctor treat me after an auto accident?

There may be several reasons:

First, does your family doctor specialize in trauma or soft tissue injuries?  Many of the general practitioners I know, do not.  They are great for the flu, colds, cardiovascular problems and the like, but trauma medicine is a specialty unto itself.  The doctor may tell you, "don't worry, it will get better on its own," and write a prescription for pain pills and muscle relaxants (don't believe it, look at the example above).  Or they may tell you "it is only a soft tissue injury" (odds are in their favor they are correct as over 80% of the body is considered to be soft tissue).

Second, in the ideal situation, you want a physician trained in either trauma medicine or sports medicine (most sports injuries are traumatic and similar to the injuries suffered in automobile accidents.  Emmitt Smith, former running back of the Dallas Cowboys, often said that getting tackled was similar to being in an automobile accident.  Having a doctor who has worked in personal injury law or perhaps even lectured to attorneys is a plus.

Third, and perhaps most importantly, you need a doctor with whom you can communicate and be comfortable.  Many physicians do not even consider "activities of daily living" (ADL's) when evaluating automobile injuries but they can have a significant impact on the settlement offer from the insurance carrier.

3. Do I need an attorney?

We highly recommend that you consider hiring an attorney for two reasons:

First, the attorney can handle the legal matters involved in an automobile accident while your doctor can concentrate on resolving the medical issues.  That leaves you to get better.

Second, they can usually negotiate a better settlement.   This does not mean just more money in your pocket, but also incidents many people don't think about such as: getting your car fixed in a timely fashion, acquiring a rental car, being reimbursed for loss time from work, etc.  Let me give you an example that happened to a patient of ours.

The patient was an insurance adjustor, and although she did not work in the personal injury arena, she said she was familiar with demand packages.  She informed us that she did not want to retain an attorney and would handle the case herself.  Ultimately she presented a demand package for her lost time from work, medical bills, and vehicle repair bills that totaled $17, 328.43 (these were actual bills from all providers of service and her wages, nothing added for "pain and suffering").  The insurance carrier settled the claim for $13,000.

4.  Do I need to use my PIP insurance if I am not at fault?

PIP (Personal Injury Protection) insurance is basically a medical insurance that is sold by auto insurance agents.  It covers two issues that may occur in an auto accident: lost wages and medical bills.  Be careful if an attorney wants to take a percentage of your PIP insurance to settle their contract.  Most state bars that regulate lawyers allow for a flat fee to be charged if the law firm has to file your PIP, but consider retaining a percentage of the PIP for their fee to be unethical.

Using your PIP insurance in the State of Texas will not increase your auto insurance premium and that is mandated by law (we have a copy of the law at Cornerstone Chiropractic if you need it). The reason most providers want to use the PIP insurance is that it typically reimburses the provider within 45 days vs. 12-24 months for liability insurance.  Besides, you paid for it; you might as well use it!

If you have any questions feel free to contact the doctor by clicking on the "Email the doctor" button at the bottom of any page.