Auto Accidents/Personal Injury
Chiropractic in Smyrna

When you’ve been in a car accident, one of the most common injuries is whiplash. This can be mild to severe, depending on the conditions of the accident. When whiplash occurs, the soft tissues, ligaments and cartilage are overstretched and over-forced, bringing the bones of the spine out of alignment. This can result in neurological deficits and challenges, neuromuscular issues and subluxation.
NEW PRACTICE MEMBERS
At Mustard Seed Chiropractic, we pay special attention to the neck, low back and extremities after a car accident, with the goal of bringing the body back into alignment to allow the soft tissues and other structures to heal.

Adjusting patient's lower back

Our Approach to Care

Being in an automobile collision is stressful, so we strive to make getting the care you need easy and convenient. Since we’ll need X-rays for your case, we can refer you out for those prior to your first visit with us. We also ask that you bring your insurance information and the police report from the accident. That way, we’ll have all the information we need to get started with your care.

When you come in for your first visit, your chiropractor will talk with you about your symptoms. Then we’ll do a complete neurological scan using the CLA INSiGHT™ scanning technology. We’ll explain what we’ve found and how we think chiropractic care can help. Then, if you’re ready to begin, you’ll typically receive your first adjustment at this visit.

We work directly with insurance companies, and we can help get you legal representation if you haven’t already done so.

Personal Injury Certification

Dr. JaGarren has been certified by the Academy of Chiropractic Post-Doctoral Division for Personal Injury, further solidifying his expertise in evaluating and managing injury cases. His certification comes after completing the rigorous Personal Injury Bootcamp – Triaging the Trauma and Non-Trauma Patient at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. This specialized training covers essential topics such as trauma biomechanics, accident-related spinal injuries, diagnostic protocols, and evidence-based treatment strategies. Additionally, it emphasizes proper triaging of both trauma and non-trauma patients, ensuring accurate diagnosis and appropriate referrals when necessary. Dr. JaGarren’s advanced education equips him to provide top-tier care for personal injury patients, focusing on comprehensive assessments and effective recovery plans.

Length of Care

Every person’s situation is unique, so your care will be tailored to your specific needs. In most cases, we’ll see a practice member three times a week for the first two months. This will give us a good indication if chiropractic care alone will help correct the issues, or if it’s time to get other providers involved. We are happy to refer out to physical therapists, orthopedists and neurologists when needed—our goal is to ensure you get the complete care you need for a full recovery.

Depending on the severity of your injuries, care plans may take anywhere from three to six months, or longer, in some extreme cases.

Don’t Wait

Many people think they don’t need to be checked out after an accident if they are not in any kind of pain. However, when the deeper tissues are damaged, it’s common not to feel much pain at first—but then, a month or so down the line, the pain is excruciating.

When we check you out as soon as possible after a car crash, we can restore your spinal alignment to allow the soft tissues to heal in the proper position as well. This may help to avoid long term issues like neurological deficits, numbness and tingling in the extremities, loss of strength, shooting pains, mobility issues and pain that can occur when accident injuries are not addressed.

If you’re feeling any of these symptoms after a crash, it’s important to get checked out:

  • Whiplash or neck stiffness
  • Headaches or migraines
  • Dizziness or balance issues
  • Numbness or tingling in your arms or legs
  • Sharp, shooting pain down your arms or legs
  • Shoulder pain or possible rotator cuff injury
  • Lower back pain, mid-back soreness, or neck pain
  • Sciatica or radiating leg pain
  • Herniated or slipped discs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum speed at which a motor vehicle collision can cause injury?

Clinical studies involving human test subjects have established that cervical spine (neck) injuries may occur in motor vehicle collisions at speeds as low as 5 miles per hour (mph). Importantly, vehicles are often capable of withstanding impacts of 10 mph or greater without exhibiting visible damage, making low-speed collisions potentially misleading regarding injury risk.

Do symptoms from auto accident injuries always appear immediately?

No. While it was once assumed that symptoms would develop immediately following a collision, current clinical evidence indicates that delayed symptom onset is common. Symptoms may emerge hours or even days after the incident. A delay in symptom presentation does not indicate a lack of injury severity.

What percentage of motor vehicle accident victims become disabled?

Data suggests that approximately 10% of individuals involved in motor vehicle collisions experience injuries resulting in long-term or permanent disability.

How long do symptoms from auto accident injuries typically last?

Research has demonstrated that symptoms can persist for months or even years post-collision. One study found that 75% of injured individuals continued to experience symptoms six months after the accident. Additionally, a study published in the European Spine Journal reported that between one and two years post-injury, over 20% of patients experienced a worsening of their symptoms.

How many motor vehicle accidents occur annually in the United States?

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), there are over 12 million motor vehicle accidents annually in the U.S., involving more than 20 million vehicles. These accidents result in over 5 million non-fatal injuries each year, with approximately 2 million classified as disabling injuries. Roughly 1 million of these disabling injuries are work-related.

What is the severity breakdown of injuries from motor vehicle accidents?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported in 1990 that approximately 28% of individuals involved in motor vehicle collisions sustain minor to moderate injuries. Around 6% of cases result in severe or fatal injuries.

How likely is it for a driver to be involved in a motor vehicle accident?

The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that the average driver will experience a near-collision event one to two times per month. On average, most drivers will be involved in some type of motor vehicle collision once every six years.

What is the financial cost of motor vehicle accidents in the United States?

A 1993 report estimated that the total economic cost of motor vehicle collisions in the U.S. exceeded $333 billion as of 1988. This figure includes costs related to property damage, medical care, lost productivity, and administrative expenses.

Who typically pays for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident?

According to the Insurance Research Council (IRC), the financial responsibility for injury-related expenses is distributed as follows:

Payment Source Percentage of Cases Paid
Injured individual’s auto insurance 63%
Other driver’s auto insurance 55%
Health insurance 36%
Government programs 20%
Workers’ compensation 19%

Additionally, nearly 60% of injured individuals report utilizing two or more payment sources to cover their medical and injury-related expenses.

Book Today

If you’ve been in a car accident, contact us today to schedule.
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Auto Accidents/Personal Injury Chiropractic Smyrna, Marietta GA | (678) 403-1796