In the U.S, over 2 million injuries are caused by motor vehicle accidents alone. The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center found that over 38% of these injuries are to the spine.
Even collisions under 10 mph can create enough force to damage soft tissue and strain ligaments. If left untreated, these injuries can become long-term.
I’ve seen many patients recover from an accident only to develop whiplash, chronic back pain, and even sciatica. At my clinic, The Disc Chiropractic in Wheat Ridge, I help people recover after auto accidents, whether it happened a year ago or three weeks ago.
Does Insurance Cover Chiropractic Care
One of the most common questions I get after an auto accident is: “Will insurance cover chiropractors?”
Yes. If you’re in Colorado, your auto insurance policy likely includes MedPay. By law, insurance companies must provide at least $5,000 in MedPay unless you opt out in writing.
Your MedPay coverage covers medical expenses, including chiropractic care, regardless of who was at fault. That means you can typically begin treatment without delay, even if liability is still being sorted out.
Common Injuries We Treat After Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, some obvious, others harder to detect. Here are the most common conditions we treat after a crash, even when symptoms are delayed.
Whiplash
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries after a crash, especially rear-end collisions. It occurs when the neck is violently thrown forward and backward, overstretching the muscles and joints in the cervical spine. It also places strain on the facet joints between C2 and C7. Symptoms may not show up right away, but often include neck pain, reduced range of motion, and upper extremity paresthesia.
Disc Injuries
The force of a collision can compress your spine and lead to a bulging or herniated disc, especially in the lower back (L4–L5, L5–S1) or neck (C5–C6). This can irritate nearby nerves and cause radiating pain, numbness, and even sciatica.
Disc Injuries
The force of a collision can compress your spine and lead to a bulging or herniated disc, especially in the lower back (L4–L5, L5–S1) or neck (C5–C6). This can irritate nearby nerves and cause radiating pain, numbness, and even sciatica.
Facet Joint Dysfunction
After a car accident, these joints can become inflamed or jammed, usually in the neck or lower back, causing sharp, localized pain that worsens every time you do simple moves such as rotating your neck. Facet joint pain typically presents as localized neck or back pain and is often mistaken for muscle strains.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Strains and sprains to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons are incredibly common after an accident. These injuries often involve the muscle group that receives direct trauma. Over time, untreated soft tissue damage can lead to trigger points, and worse, blood clots that could travel to other parts of the body.
Headaches and Migraines
Even if you didn’t hit your head, an accident can trigger headaches due to cervical misalignment or nerve irritation, especially in the upper neck (C1–C3. These are called cervicogenic headaches and often come with symptoms like brain fog, light sensitivity, or dizziness. They’re easy to miss but important to treat early.
Personalized Treatments after Auto Accidents
Chiropractic Adjustments
After a collision, the spine can shift out of alignment. I use precise, hands-on, or instrument-assisted adjustments to correct those misalignments, reduce joint irritation, and restore proper movement. This helps relieve nerve pressure and allows the body to heal without relying on pain medication.
Spinal Decompression Therapy
For patients with disc injuries or nerve compression, spinal decompression is one of the safest ways to relieve pressure without drugs or injections. Using the Triton DTS table, we gently stretch the spine to create space between the vertebrae, giving the discs room to rehydrate and the nerves space to calm down.
Shockwave Therapy
After an accident, soft tissues often tighten up or develop calcified adhesions that limit healing. Using the Intelect RPW 2 for shockwave, we target these problematic tissues using acoustic waves to break up trigger points and scar tissue, to improve blood circulation, and speed up your body’s natural recovery.
Therapeutic Exercises
During recovery, your muscles may become weak especially if you were in a brace or resting too long. Strengthening exercise focuses on rebuilding the affected muscles, to retrain the body to move the way it was before the accident. We guide you through customized exercises that support the work we do on the table and help prevent flare ups.
FAQs About Auto Accident Injuries
How Soon After a Crash Should I Get Checked?
Ideally, within two weeks. That’s when hidden symptoms, such as a herniated disc, appear. Symptoms such as inflammation and soft tissue damage start to set in within 48 to 72 hours.
Can Whiplash Symptoms Be Delayed?
Absolutely. It’s common for whiplash symptoms like neck pain, stiffness, or headaches to show up several hours or even days after the accident. That delay is why many people mistakenly think they weren’t hurt.
Will Insurance Cover My Chiropractic Treatment?
Yes, auto accident insurance and Medpay coverage often include chiropractic care when it is deemed medically necessary.
What if I already went to the ER? Should I still come in?
Yes. ER visits are great for ruling out fractures or life-threatening injuries, but they typically would not address joint dysfunction, muscle tension, or subtle spinal trauma. Chiropractic care fills that gap and focuses on full recovery.
What are the most common injuries caused by car accidents?
Auto accidents can result in a wide range of injuries including whiplash, concussions, spinal misalignments, soft tissue strain, herniated discs, and joint injuries. Even low-speed accidents can cause significant musculoskeletal dysfunction due to sudden deceleration forces acting on the body.
Start Your Recovery Today
Even if you’re not in pain right now, that doesn’t mean your body wasn’t affected. Hidden injuries after a car crash can turn into long-term problems if they’re ignored.
Suppose you’ve recently been in an accident, whether yesterday or two weeks ago. Your Denver chiropractor, Dr. Al Simeone, is ready to help you heal safely and completely.
Book an Appointment Now or Call: 720-573-4910