This One Auto Accident Mistake Can Cost You!

Biggest auto accident mistakeDon’t Make This Mistake After Your Accident

For most people, the days following an auto accident are filled with uncertainty and stress. Immediately after the accident, there are so many questions and decisions that need to be made:

  • When and how will I be able to get to work or school?
  • How will I get the kids to their activities?
  • Who will pay to fix my car?
  • How soon can I get my car fixed?
  • What if I have to get another car?
  • What if I have to miss work?
  • When will my life return to normal?

Quite frankly, it can be overwhelming.

It is during this time of chaos that many people make their biggest mistake after an auto accident. What is this mistake? It involves their health and possible injuries.

Thankfully, most auto accidents are not life threatening and most people walk away from them. However, this does not mean damage has not been done to their body. For many, they experience an achy soreness the next day or two and think it will just go away. They pop a few Advil or Tylenol and “power” their way through the pain because they have to deal with the other issues caused by the accident. They have every intent of getting to their injuries, but the hassles of the car damage and life continue to delay them.

Unfortunately, days pass, then maybe even weeks, now the soreness and achiness have begun to affect other areas of life: sleep is affected, mornings are stiff and painful, job duties hurt and life become more stressful. Gradually, the injury begins to affect their attitude and emotions: tempers become short, little things begin to become irritating and those around them begin to suffer also. All because they made this one mistake!

What is this one mistake that is so costly?
After an auto accident, many focus on fixing their car and not themselves!

By not focusing on your injuries you allow two things two happen that can cost you.

First, research has shown, the quicker proper care is started after an injury, it decreases the odds of developing long term pain cycles. In most cases, when someone is injured in a car accident there is damage to the nerves, ligaments and muscles. These structures do not heal with 100% normal tissue, in fact they can repair with over 30% scar tissue. This is important because scar tissue does not stretch and move like normal tissue and has more nerves embedded in it. Thus the area becomes stiff and sensitive and subject to frequent flare up of pain.

This scar tissue also limits the normal motion of the injured joints. Over time, this limited mobility creates internal stress in the joint which then begins to produce joint degeneration – or to the lay person, arthritis.

The second way this mistake can cost you: it can affect how the guilty party’s insurance company covers your expenses. Simply put, the longer you wait to start care, the more they view you as someone who is exaggerating or actually faking an injury!

If you are involved in an auto accident, your first priority should be your health. If you need to, go to the emergency department. Then immediately schedule an appointment with a chiropractic physician who is qualified to treat and document your injuries. Don’t be like many and make the biggest mistake that can cost you your health and money!

If you have been in an auto accident or would like more information, Call our office at (314) 731-4383 and we will be glad to help you.