After a Car Crash in New Berlin
A crash can leave you sore, shaken and unsure who to call first. Many people end up with neck and back pain after a collision, and if you are looking for a car accident chiropractor in New Berlin, the right place to start is a thorough exam so you know what your body is dealing with.
At Advantage Chiropractic in New Berlin, Dr. Evan Norum and Dr. Taylor Moore begin with a 54 point neurological and spinal evaluation and explain what they find in plain language. Our main method is gentle, with no twisting, pulling or cracking, which matters when your neck is already sore. Below you will find how the first visit works, how the Integrator feels, how claims are handled and what to do in the days after a collision.
Our Car Accident Chiropractors in New Berlin, WI
How We Care for Crash Injuries
A sudden stop or impact asks a lot of your spine. The head snaps one way and then back, the seat belt holds the shoulder and chest, and the muscles of the neck and back tighten hard to protect you. That strain is why soreness and stiffness are so common after even a modest collision.
Dr. Norum and Dr. Moore are both advanced certified in the Torque Release Technique, and the care starts with an evaluation rather than a guess. They look for the cause of your symptoms, tell you what they found and explain how they can help. You can read more about both on our doctors page.
What Your First Visit Looks Like
The first appointment lasts 30 to 60 minutes and includes our 54 point neurological and spinal evaluation. It shows how well your brain and body are communicating and where nerve interference may be. You can fill out the intake forms online before you arrive.
If X rays are needed, they are taken in our office with high resolution digital imaging, using a motion study approach so the doctors can see how your spine moves. X rays are taken only when they are indicated, not as a routine step.
The doctors go over the exam and any X rays with you, tell you what they found, how they can help and how long it should take. You do not need a referral to see us, and if your condition needs medical intervention outside our scope, we refer you to the right specialist.
The Integrator and How an Adjustment Feels
Our main method is the Torque Release Technique. Instead of twisting or cracking, your doctor uses a handheld instrument called the Integrator to deliver a quick, light impulse.
That gentle approach is a big reason people with a sore neck after a crash feel at ease with our care. An adjustment often takes less than five minutes, and follow up adjustment visits are typically 5 to 10 minutes.
Insurance and Claims After a Crash
We accept personal injury and auto accident claims, and we work with legal and insurance representatives after a motor vehicle accident. We also accept most major insurance, including Medicare and Workers’ Compensation, and costs are explained up front.
You can send your insurance information before your first visit and we will run a complimentary benefit verification. Our insurance and billing page has the details, including self pay options and HSA and FSA payment.
Common Injuries After a Crash
Whiplash is a soft tissue strain of the neck, and it is the injury most people think of first. These are the others.
- Neck strain Stiffness, soreness and trouble turning your head are typical. See our page on neck pain care for how we approach the neck.
- Back strain The muscles and joints of the upper and lower back can tighten up after the sudden stop of a crash.
- Headaches Many people get a headache that starts at the base of the skull and works forward.
- Seat belt soreness The shoulder and chest can end up sore or bruised along the belt line.
Why Symptoms Can Show Up Days Later
A lot of people feel fine right after a collision and then wake up stiff the next morning or a few days on. Neck pain, stiffness, dizziness, blurred vision and headaches at the base of the skull are common. This is the reason to pay attention even after a minor fender bender.
Keep a short daily note of anything new, such as where it hurts, what makes it worse and whether you can sleep. It is easy to forget details a week later, and the note helps you describe exactly what changed.
When to Get Medical Care First
Call 911 or go to the emergency room after a crash if you have a head injury, lost consciousness, severe pain, numbness, weakness, or chest or abdominal pain. The CDC lists more danger signs after a blow or jolt to the head or body, including a headache that keeps getting worse, repeated vomiting and confusion.
Get that care first. Once you have been cleared, we are ready to see you.
Keep Your Paperwork Together
- Report the crash Make sure the collision is reported and write down the report number, along with the other driver’s information.
- Keep records Save photos, claim numbers, hospital paperwork, bills and your daily symptom notes.
- Call your own auto insurer Ask whether your policy includes medical payments coverage.
- Ask an attorney about legal questions Questions about fault, claims or settlements belong with a licensed attorney.
Car Accident Chiropractor FAQs
Why can crash symptoms take days to show up?
Adrenaline can mask pain in the first hours after a collision. Then strained muscles and irritated joints swell and stiffen over the next day or two, so soreness, stiffness or headaches appear later. That delay is common and does not mean the injury is minor or that you imagined it.
What is whiplash?
Whiplash is a strain of the soft tissues of the neck caused by a rapid back and forth movement of the head, most often in a rear end collision. It brings neck pain and stiffness, headaches and sometimes shoulder pain or dizziness. It can follow even a low speed crash.
I felt fine after the crash. Should I still get checked?
Yes. Feeling fine right after a collision does not rule out an injury, because pain and stiffness often build over several days. Getting checked sooner gives you a clear picture of how your neck and back are doing. If you have severe headache, numbness or weakness, go to the emergency room first.
Is a seat belt bruise or chest pain something to worry about?
A mild bruise along the belt line is common and usually fades on its own. Chest pain, trouble breathing, belly pain or a bruise that keeps spreading or swelling needs emergency care right away. Call 911 instead of driving yourself if symptoms are serious.
How does billing work for a car accident injury?
We accept personal injury and auto accident claims and work with legal and insurance representatives after a motor vehicle accident. You can send your insurance information before your first visit for a complimentary benefit verification, and costs are explained up front.
What should I do right after a crash?
Move to a safe spot if you can and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Exchange names, insurance and contact details with the other driver, take photos and report the crash. Then get checked by a medical provider, even if you feel okay, and watch for new symptoms over the next several days.
