Car accidents happen. Unless you've been in a serious accident before, it’s likely you are unsure of what to do and where to begin. At Boulder Sports Chiropractic, we're here to help you navigate the murky waters. We have
You're in an accident, what should you do?
Step 1 - Be sure you’re safe and your surroundings are safe.
Step 2 - Call the police to report the accident and take photos
Step 3 – Exchange information with the other driver(s),
Step 4 - report the accident to both insurance companies and ask about medical treatment
Step 5 - Book appointment at Boulder Sports Chiropractic for medical evaluation
Step 6 - Seek attorney help if warranted
Step 7 - Feel Better and get back to normal life!
You've been in an accident and now you're feeling pain-what is next? Immediately following the impact adrenaline levels are high, and often prevent you from experiencing any initial pain. However, as time goes on and the rush subsides, aches and pains tend to show up. Pain levels commonly continue to increase over the following weeks after the accident. As a result, there is often damage to both the muscles, ligaments, and joints of the spine and extremities-even in low velocity impacts (~5 mph).
Whiplash injuries often occur as the body experiences a force that causes the neck or spine to move in a whip-like motion, from extension to flexion. These quick and powerful motions lead to strain/sprain injuries. The damage can lead to serious and even lifelong pain if not addressed appropriately.
Car accident victims usually seek evaluation from their primary care physician or travel to the emergency room. If nothing more than damage to muscles or ligaments are present, the victim is usually prescribed medication for pain and dismissed- however the pain often lingers for weeks if not months. This is where Boulder Sports Chiropractic comes in. We are experts at treating muscle and ligamentous injuries, and specialize at creating individualized treatment plans to get you back to 100% as soon as possible. Treatment may include x-rays, MRIs, or appropriate referrals to specialists to make sure you get the best and most appropriate care possible.
We have assembled a frequently asked question list below to answer the most common questions we receive about car accidents:
What information do I need from the other driver?
Name, address, phone number, take a photo of their insurance card, take a photo of the damage, take a photo of the make and model of their car.
Will my auto insurance rates increase?
If you are involved in an accident, it is possible for your rates to go up if you were at fault. If you are not at fault, it is unlikely to change your rates.
If you file a claim to use your medical coverage, it is illegal in the state of Colorado for insurance companies to raise your rates.
How much will medical treatment cost?
This depends on the severity of your injuries. The costs of a hospital visit and the associated fees for x-rays, CT scans, etc can be quite expensive, even with health insurance.
In a typical auto injury patient, the average person needs treatment from a few different types of medical providers: (Medical Doctor/primary care, Chiropractor, Physical Therapist, Massage Therapist, and potentially pain management or specific medical specialities). The costs can add up, even with health insurance.
If you use your typical health insurance, they will dictate your care by saying that you only have a certain number of visits for chiropractic, physical therapy, etc and you will have to pay your copay for each service.
However, Law makers saw this problem becoming more frequent and they created a law that your auto insurance must provide you with medical treatment coverage. This is called Med Pay or PIP and is built into your current auto policy so you do not have to pay any money out of pocket.
Who pays for my treatment?
In nearly every state, there is a law that requires drivers to have insurance coverage that will pay for your medical treatment following an accident. The coverage is either called PIP (personal injury protection) or Medpay. The car insurance companies add this to your auto insurance policy and you already pay for it.
In Colorado, residents are covered automatically through their car insurance policy with Med Pay- unless they specifically choose to opt out. Most individuals are unaware that this option even exists and that you are already paying monthly for this coverage. It is designed to protect the accident victims from having paying out of pocket for your medical treatment after a car accident. Even if the accident was your fault (you caused the accident, you hit a deer, etc), you can use your medpay coverage to pay for your medical treatment. I encourage everyone to contact their car insurance carrier, and to learn more about this option as it needs to be in place prior to the incident. Often, Med Pay is not only limited to motor vehicle accidents, and in certain circumstances may also allow coverage following a vehicular collision even while on your bike.
What does Medpay pay for?
Medpay in Colorado is designed to pay for any medical treatment after an accident. This helps to pay for ambulance rides, medical visits, chiropractic treatment, physical therapy, massage, etc. If you go to a clinic that is comfortable and knowledgeable about treating patients who have been involved in car accidents in Colorado - they will be helpful in assisting you with that process.
What if my pain starts a few days later?
In a typical car accident, immediately following the accident you will have adrenaline rushing through your body keeping pain levels lower. As the next few days or weeks go by, it is typical for a person to have increased pain as they bend, lift, stand or sit for a long period of time. It is important to get evaluated by a medical professional, even if your pain levels are low.
What if there is not a lot of visible damage?
Studies have shown that it is possible for you to have little physical damage to your car and still have damage to muscles, ligaments, and joints during a car accident. Even in accidents at very low speeds, it is possible to have physical pain from the accident. Just as it is possible to have a race car roll over multiple times and the driver walk away virtually uninjured, it is possible to have the opposite.
If you are in an accident and you have pain, it is important to get it evaluated and treated.
Do I need to goto a hospital?
Typically this is dependent on your pain levels. If you have a severe accident, it is obvious that the ambulance will transport you to the hospital. The emergency department in hospitals typically will take x-rays, perform a CT scan, and release you with medication. If you do not feel that your injuries are emergent or urgent, than an evaluation by your medical doctor or the doctors at Boulder Sports Chiropractic can be suitable.
Do I need a Lawyer?
Personal injury attorneys are a very useful resource in most cases. They specialize in making the process smooth and headache free for you. If your accident was a complicated case then an attorney consultation is definitely advised. If your accident caused a lot of damage and you are in no condition to speak with insurance companies and fight for your rights, then an attorney consultation is also advised. In many cases where the insurance adjustor is rude, not helpful, or not easy to deal with, an attorney is advised so you can have the attorney handle all of the calls with the insurance company.
How much does a lawyer cost?
Personal injury attorneys typically charge you a fee of your settlement. They do not ask you to pay them any money up front and never have you pay money out of your pocket. The typical attorney will charge you a percentage (20-40%) of your insurance settlement. In general, while an attorney will charge you 30%, they will almost always get your insurance company to pay at least 30% more than they would have paid if you handled it on your own. We have a network of reputable attorneys that we work with in the Boulder, Broomfield, and Longmont area that will be sure that your case is handled fairly.
Expert Treatment and Guidance
At Boulder Sports Chiropractic, we regularly help people who were in car accidents get back to 100% ASAP. At our clinic we have Chiropractors, Physical Therapists, and Massage Therapist ready to help you. You no longer need to drive to separate places across town, we have assembled the best team in Boulder and we will work together to get you out of pain as soon as possible.
We know how confusing this process is for people and we are able to answer most questions on how to proceed. We also have an extensive network of trusted doctors, attorneys, and specialists who can help answer any additional questions.
In some situations, extensive treatment is required to get your back into your regular routine, especially if your Med Pay was exhausted immediately following an accident through hospital bills. In these scenarios, it is wise to seek out the assistance of an attorney who specializes in motor vehicle collisions, who can help get you the appropriate care and treatment without having to pay out of pocket.
Medical Leins
We offer the use of a medical lien to pay for your treatment after an accident in this situation. Read more about liens here. A lien is an agreement that our clinic will not get paid each time you come in for treatment, but rather at the end, when your case settles. This is done so that you can get the treatment that you need, even if you don’t have the money to pay for the treatment right now.
If you were in a car accident in the Boulder, Longmont, Broomfield, or Denver area, contact us today via email or phone to start feeling better.