CAR ACCIDENT CHIROPRACTOR IN PORTLAND, OR
If you have been injured in an auto accident your car accident chiropractor treatment is 100% covered, regardless of fault.
Car accidents are traumatic events that frequently result in injury. Passengers of vehicles involved in an auto collision are subjected to a great deal of force that the human body is not well equipped to deal with. The body’s inability to handle the stress of this force typically results in injury.
Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance exists to cover expenses incurred due to injuries sustained in a car accident. PIP coverage is included automatically as part of all auto insurance policies for Oregon residents. This coverage also extends to all occupants of the vehicle at the time of a collision.
PREMIER CARE IS THE BEST OPTION FOR AUTO ACCIDENT INJURY TREATMENT
Visit Premier Care Chiropractic in Portland for individualized car accident chiropractor care and faster recovery. Our auto accident chiropractor, Dr. Tim Gallucci, takes the time to thoroughly examine and find every issue preventing his patients from living their life without the limitations of pain.
We have auto accident injury treatment plans that vary depending on the type and severity of the injury, but they typically include working with a chiropractor after your car accident, acupuncture, massage, and physical therapy. That’s why we offer a variety of specialized auto accident injury chiropractic care services. We are very mindful of our patient’s pain, and treatment intensity increases only as the symptoms allow. That means we usually start with gentle, passive treatment and progress to active care when the auto-injury treatment doesn’t negatively impact symptoms.
HOW CAR ACCIDENT INJURY CHIROPRACTOR TREATMENT HELPS
Neck pain is the most common complaint of whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) and is reported in the vast majority of auto injury patients. Neck injuries suffered in a vehicle collision typically result from rapid hyperextension and hyperflexion which can occur during a collision at virtually any speed. These sudden movements overload the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the neck and back, which leads to strains and sprains of those structures.
The pain may originate from the muscles, vertebrae, joints, or discs in the neck and back. Lack of treatment for these injuries may result in chronic pain due to improper healing, prolonged inflammation, and decreased joint mobility, possibly leading to future degeneration. It has been found that as many as 55% of people involved in a car accident experience chronic neck pain. Receiving auto accident chiropractic care and back adjustments can significantly improve outcomes and prevent long-term pain.
SYMPTOMS OF WHIPLASH
Neck Pain
Pain, stiffness, and inflammation are common symptoms following a car accident, and the neck is the most common area of complaint related to whiplash.
Back Pain
Like the neck, the back is a common area of complaint after a motor vehicle collision.
The back is subjected to many of the same acceleration and deceleration forces as the neck.
Extremity Pain
Pain in the arms or legs following a car accident can be the result of direct impact with the steering wheel, dashboard, or floorboard. Or, the pain can be related to compressed nerves resulting in referred pain. A chiropractic exam will help pinpoint the cause.
Headache
Headaches are a common complaint after a car accident. Headaches can vary significantly in severity.
Intense headaches should not be ignored as they may be a symptom of a serious injury.
Whiplash symptoms are usually treatable with conservative care, and chiropractic care combined with massage and acupuncture forms the best treatment option. All three services are provided in one location at Premier Care Chiropractic, which is one reason why there is no better place in Portland to treat injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident than Premier Care Chiropractic.
The best part is, you get the best chiropractor auto accident care available with zero out-of-pocket cost to you.
WHIPLASH TREATMENT
Whiplash treatment varies based on the severity of the strains and sprains suffered in the accident. At Premier Care our providers are mindful of each patient's pain and work within the boundaries of what each individual patient is able to tolerate. The individual components and modalities that form a whiplash treatment plan include:
- Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy (CMT): CMT is when a chiropractor moves a joint in the body. The movement can be gentle mobilization of the joint or a faster movement that can create a cavitation or popping sound. Early in the process of whiplash treatment, the goal is to gently encourage movement of dysfunctional joints within tolerance.
- Massage Therapy: Muscle strains are one part of whiplash and why we experience symptoms from whiplash. Massage therapy is an effective way to help with pain from muscle strains and to help promote healing of the injured muscles.
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. Acupuncture has a range of musculoskeletal benefits, including reducing pain and inflammation and improving mobility and range of motion. Acupuncture works by stimulating the nervous system, increasing blood flow to the affected area, and triggering the release of natural painkillers such as endorphins.
- Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS): EMS is a treatment modality that uses electrical current to stimulate muscle contraction. The muscle contraction created by EMS is a gentle way to promote muscle healing and remodel the healing tissues.
- Active Care / Physical Therapy / Physiotherapy: Active care is an essential component of whiplash treatment. Whiplash compromises the strength of the soft tissues that support the joints of the neck and back. Exercises specific to whiplash injuries help restore the lost strength and function.
Whiplash treatment plans are typically on a spectrum of passive to active care. In the beginning, care is more passive and focused on pain relief and promoting tissue healing. Over the course of care the injuries heal and care shifts more heavily to active care in order to restore functional ability that was lost because of the injuries from the accident.
HOW PERSONAL INJURY PROTECTION WORKS:
Personal injury protection is a mandatory component of all auto insurance policies issued in Oregon. PIP coverage is there to ensure Oregon drivers and their passengers are afforded the care necessary to recover from the injuries suffered in a car accident. Personal injury protection requires insurance companies to pay medical bills and certain living expenses while you recover from injuries suffered in a car accident.
PIP is automatically included in every auto insurance policy issued in Oregon and is available to every injured driver and passenger regardless of who was at fault in the accident. PIP is intended to protect all car accident victims while they recover and receive necessary medical treatment.
Personal injury protection requires the policyholder’s insurance to pay for all necessary medical treatment for the driver of the vehicle and all injured passengers, including car accident chiropractic care. PIP is structured this way so that those injured in a crash do not have to wait until fault is determined to receive treatment for injuries.
Unlike with other auto insurance policy provisions, utilizing your personal injury protection will not increase your rates or premiums.
WHO RECEIVES PERSONAL INJURY PROTECTION BENEFITS?
Vehicle Driver
Each driver’s insurance company is responsible for the PIP benefits of the insured driver.
Vehicle Passengers
The driver’s insurance company covers the PIP benefits initially. If a passenger still requires care after the driver’s PIP benefits exhaust the passenger may file a claim with their own motor vehicle insurance to provide additional benefits.
Pedestrians
The vehicle driver’s insurance company pays PIP benefits.
Bicyclists
The vehicle driver’s insurance provides personal injury protection benefits.
WHAT PIP COVERS FOR OREGON DRIVERS, PASSENGERS, PEDESTRIANS, & CYCLISTS
Medical Expenses
Up to $15,000 for any reasonable and necessary medical expenses including chiropractic care, massage, and acupuncture.
Lost Wages
70% of your pay up to $3,000 per month for up to one year if more than 14 days of work are missed due to injuries sustained in a car accident.
Childcare
$25 per day up to $750 for childcare if you are hospitalized for at least 24 hours due to a motor vehicle collision.
OPENING A PIP CLAIM
Call your insurance company to open a PIP claim as soon as possible after a motor vehicle accident. Getting car accident chiropractic treatment for your injuries as quickly as possible will lead to improved outcomes and decreased healing time.
Most insurers require a completed PIP application prior to benefits being obtained. Your insurer will need to know about your injuries and who will be providing your treatment in order to process the medical bills and wage loss claims. You will be asked to sign a medical release to the PIP insurance carrier because HIPPA laws require your insurance company to have a medical release to obtain your medical records and process your claim.
WHAT TO DO AFTER AN ACCIDENT:
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Remain calm. Accidents are traumatic and your adrenaline is high. Take a moment to gather yourself before attempting to move or exit the vehicle.
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Check yourself and any passengers in your vehicle for injuries. If you suspect that you or a passenger has sustained a serious injury call 911 immediately.
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If the vehicles are drivable, move the cars to a safe place out of traffic. If you can’t move the vehicles, use your vehicle’s hazard lights, flares, or cones to make you and your vehicle more visible to passing traffic.
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Call 911 or police non-emergency (503-823-3333 in Portland) to report the accident, even if the accident is minor.
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Collect information about the accident, including the name of the other involved party and witnesses, telephone number, license plate number, and insurance information.
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Note all damage to both vehicles and take photographs of the damage.
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Notify your insurance agent as soon as it is convenient in order to start the claim process.
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Schedule your initial consultation with Premier Care. Even if you’re only feeling sore, it is best to be evaluated to be sure there aren’t more significant injuries.