Car wrecks / Auto Accidents / MVAs

If you drive very much, you probably get in "near accidents" every day. It often seems like people (other people) drive crazier and more dangerous every day. Unfortunately, for many drivers and passengers every day, the near accidents become actual accidents, and they not only get significant damage to their automobile, but they get seriously injured as well.

Usually, when people get involved in a car wreck (collision, MVA, auto accident, etc.) many things are going on. They may be in shock, their adrenalin levels are often spiking, they may be dizzy, confused, have neck pain, low back pain, headaches, tingling in extremities, or even get knocked unconscious. Often, they are more concerned about a car that was in perfect shape seconds ago, and now, is a mangled piece of garbage.

THINGS TO CARRY WITH YOU

When you have a car wreck, there are some things you can do to help yourself. Number one, it is a good thing to carry one of those disposable cameras with you in your car, and put it in a place where it is both accessible, but also, protected in case your vehicle gets hit hard in the sides of the vehicle.

If you have the presence of mind after the accident, you should get your camera and take pictures of how the vehicles were situated immediately after the accident and include any things like skid marks that indicate the dynamics of the accident.

If there is significant damage to the interior of the vehicle after the accident, take pictures of that. If your passenger(s) have obvious visible signs of injury such as cuts, bones protruding from the arms or legs in the case of compound fractures, document those by taking pictures.

Also, carry a small writing pad with you with a pen or pencil that writes well. This is just good advice in general because drivers often have a need to write something down, but it is especially good advice if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident.

In that case, you can or should write down things like the time and location of the accident, weather conditions, name of the other party or their insurance information (in case you lose the information found on another piece of paper) and the name of the investigating officer (if one arrives). You can also write down the pains and symptoms you are noticing after the accident. This is helpful if you go to an emergency room or see a doctor later. In short, write down anything that you find that you believe may be important. Having a writing pad around is also important if you are involved in a hit and run accident, because you can copy down the license plate of the vehicle that hit you.

AT LEAST GET CHECKED OUT

High levels of endorphins and/or adrenalin in the blood after an accident can mask pain. Also, people who get temporarily knocked unconscious or sustain a closed head injury in an accident, may not be completely oriented and alert and sometimes, may not be fully cognizant of the extent and nature of their injuries.

Of course, if you have broken bones or are bleeding seriously, you need to seek immediate attention at the nearest competent hospital, but, even if you do not see obvious injury signs, if you are involved in a traumatic accident, you need to be professionally evaluated for any injuries.

Now, unfortunately, sometimes ER doctors may be in a hurry to do a quick exam and look for major ( read MORE OBVIOUS) injuries such as fractures or internal injuries of organs. They may do a cursory exam, and yes, may miss more subtle findings.

I often see patients who go to major hospitals complaining of pain in body parts after a traumatic car wreck, and the ER doc does not even order plain film X-rays to rule out fractures.

I have been treating victims of auto accidents since 1990, and have often seen patients who were told they were not hurt, and continued to have pain, and when I examined them and took x-rays, found they were indeed hurt, and had objective and identifiable injuries, obvious on x-rays.

PROTECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS

I am not an attorney and don't play one on TV, but  , after treating many patients who have been in car accidents and having dealt with many attorneys for patients, have learned that it is good for a person to protect and preserve their legal rights.

The insurance company for the other person with whom you collided, do not necessarily have your best interests at heart. Often, they (the agents of the other side's insurance) will try to get a "recorded statement" from you. They will insist the reason for this is just to get the facts, or get your side of the accident, but let's think about this rationally.

If the insurance company really wanted just the facts, why couldn't they send you a written list of questions, or yes, even an e-mail ? No, they want a recorded statement to have on hand as something to enter as evidence in a potential court case, and they know they have a possibility of asking questions on the phone to get you rattled or trip you up, or hopefully, they will get some information on previous injuries to use as a reason to deny that the injuries you are claiming, were caused by the car wreck.

Certainly, if they just needed it as a legal statement, they could send you an affidavit to fill out and get notarized and send back in.

From what attorneys tell me,( lawyers who represent people injured in accidents) , they say that it is always best for someone injured in an accident, to have a free consultation with an attorney before making any recorded statement, so, I am basing my previous words on what they tell me.

DON'T WAIT A LONG TIME BEFORE GETTING CHECKED OUT

Some people who get injured in car wrecks begin to hurt days or a couple of weeks after the accident and put off going to the doctor, hoping things will just get better.

This is bad because it allows your injuries to get worse, and also,
it decreases your credibility if you wait a long time to seek care for your injuries.

If you get injured in a motor vehicle accident and need to get examined, please consider BAKER CHIROPRACTIC, PA. Call today for an appointment at 903-753-5400  , or visit us at

1420 McCann Road, Longview Texas 75601.