What should you do if you’ve been in a car accident? Here are the 5 steps to take that will help you regulate any injury sustained from a car crash and help you prevent serious damage from becoming worse, or even permanent.
Keep Your Cool
Get Medical Attention
Inform your insurance company immediately
See your GP
1. Keep Your Cool
The most important thing to remember after an accident is to stay calm. No matter how bad the accident is, panicking will only make things worse. There needs to be at least one person in the crash who remains calm so they can keep a level head during the crucial minutes following a car accident.
2. Get Medical Attention
The next thing is to determine if there are any severe injuries that require immediate attention. Do not move too quickly if you sense any pain and remember that you may have injuries that have not yet surfaced. Remind everyone in the car to remain calm. If you or someone in the vehicle is injured, Call an ambulance by dialling 000. Even if your injuries seem minor, it is best to take precautions.
3. Contact your insurance company
By contacting your insurance company, you are already on your way to remedy the situation and you will have the opportunity to talk with a claims agent. It is important that you give an accurate description of events, injuries and who may be at fault so they are better able to assess the situation. Get confirmation that the claim is filed before you end the conversation with the agent.
4. Make a Doctor Appointment
Make sure you set up a doctor appointment as soon as possible. Your doctor can assess the extent of damage and prevent your injury form worsening. To start the CTP claims process in NSW, your GP will need to assess your injuries and fill out certain forms. Attend all follow up appointments and keep detailed records. Be sure to follow your doctor’s advice to the letter and take all necessary precautions as even minor injuries can develop into serious, lifelong issues.
5. Contact a Physiotherapist
Once you have a claim number, your Physiotherapy treatment will be covered by the CTP insurance. Your Physiotherapist can give you more details regarding the process on your first visit. Or you can contact us a call on 0479 080 800 to discuss your case.
After a car accident, you can suffer from a wide range of injuries to various parts of your body. The good news is you can receive relief for many of these injuries by visiting a Physiotherapist. Your Physiotherapist will provide holistic, non-invasive treatment to get you back to feeling your best. Although many different injuries can occur after a motor vehicle accident, some injuries are more common than others. Due to the musculoskeletal nature of the following injuries, Physiotherapy care is often the next best step toward recovery.
Neck Injuries
One of the most common car accident injuries is whiplash, when the head suddenly jars backward, forward or to the side. Whiplash may cause a destabilized spine as well as severe neck pain. In many cases, whiplash symptoms don’t appear right away. And, even with treatment, it can take some time to recover. Without Physiotherapy treatment, whiplash injuries can lead to a chronic, lifelong issue.
How a Physiotherapist Can Help
After a thorough examination, your Physiotherapist will determine the proper course of treatment. Manual hands on treatment, traction, rehab exercises and dry needling are just some of the tools your Physiotherapist may use. Physiotherapists will often treat whiplash by performing full spinal treatment and not just the painful area. This means your Physiotherapist will apply gentle force to the spinal joints to improve the alignment and mobility of your spine.
Lower Back Injuries
The bones, muscles and nerves in your lower back can suffer damage after a car accident. Depending on the severity of the injury, symptoms may take some time to appear or they may be present right away. If left untreated, lower back pain after a car accident will worsen over time.
How a Physiotherapist Can Help
Physiotherapists begin treatment for lower back injuries by performing spinal mobilisations. They may also suggest core-strengthening exercises, heat and other therapies depending on your unique pain.
Shoulder Injuries
A shoulder injury may result after a collision, especially depending upon the placement of your arm at the moment of impact. Forces during the accident to your glenohumeral joint may cause injuries to your rotator cuff and the muscles and bones that make up your shoulder girdle. Due to these injuries, you may experience pain upon movement or even when sitting still.
How a Physiotherapist Can Help
When dealing with your shoulder girdle, a Physiotherapist may perform gentle mobilization movements, rehab exercises and dry needling to speed up your healing time.
Headaches
Your joints, muscles, nerves, ligaments and tendons can all cause head pain due to injury. This means headaches are very common after a car accident. After all, your brain wasn’t meant to jar back and forth violently. The pain may be moderate to severe and include pain in various areas of the head and neck.
How a Physiotherapist Can Help
Your Physiotherapist may perform regular mobilisation techniques such as rehab exercises, traction, electrical stimulation, myofascial release and dry needling.
Arm Injuries
During a car accident, the bones in your arm—including your humerus, ulna and radius—can break or become impacted, contused or swollen. This results in pain, immobility and other symptoms.
How a Physiotherapist Can Help
A Physiotherapist who specializes in car accident injuries can help reduce pain in your elbow, hand and shoulder joints. They can also prescribe ice pack therapy, rehabilitative exercises or other remedies to reduce pain while you heal.
Hurt in a Car Accident? Reach Out to Physiotherapy Professionals Parramatta Today.
After a motor vehicle accident, the best next step is to visit a Physiotherapist with experience treating car accidents. We offer a wide range of techniques, including manual treatment, traction, electrical stimulation and dry needling. We’ll determine your proper course of treatment after a thorough examination.
Whiplash after Car Accident is a common injury after a car accident. Joints, muscles, tendons, nerves and discs can suffer injury due to compression, torsion, rotation and shear force which can take place during a motor vehicle accident. These forces placed on the spine may cause severe neck pain, stiffness, loss of range of motion and much more.
Can Whiplash Occur Due to a Minor Car Accident?
Yes it can. Whiplash is the most common injury to occur due to car accidents affecting thousands of individuals around NSW each year. Whiplash may occur during any collision, whether a small fender bender or a head-on collision. That is why it’s imperative to get examined by an experienced Physiotherapist before the symptoms worsen.
How Long After a Car Accident Does Whiplash Occur?
Whiplash may happen at any time during an accident, when forces of acceleration and deceleration are a cause of a collision. Most injuries due to whiplash are felt in the first 1-3 days, but some may arise at a later time. That is why it is crucial to get examined by a Physiotherapist and begin treatment early, to prevent further complications.
How Long Does Whiplash Last?
However minor your injury, it is highly recommended for you to see your GP before seeking any other forms of treatment. After a thorough Orthopaedic and Neurological exam, your Physiotherapist will diagnose the severity of your injury. Healing times depend on many factors, including your age and current health condition. In our experience, most injuries heal between 6 and 12 weeks, with more serious injuries taking a longer time.
How to Treat Whiplash After a Car Accident
Most whiplash injuries can be treated through non-invasive treatment options provided by experienced Physiotherapists. Your Physiotherapist will assess your symptoms and provide a treatment plan that may include soft tissue techniques and mobilisations to the spine. They may also show you stretches to keep you active, as well as rehab exercises you can do at home.
Does Car Insurance Cover Whiplash Treatment?
If you’ve been in a car accident in NSW, the compulsory third party insurance scheme (CTP) will cover your medical expenses. Your GP will need to assess you and fill out appropriate paper work in order to start your claim. Physiotherapy treatment is covered under CTP insurance.
Should you have questions or concerns about your car accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We have vast experience dealing with insurance companies and can guide you through the process.
Can Whiplash Be Prevented After a Car Accident?
Although you can’t necessarily avoid car accidents and the injuries they cause, you can help prevent serious whiplash injuries by following a few safety tips.
Wear your seatbelt: Wearing your seatbelt will help you avoid many serious injuries. Your seatbelt positions your body and stabilizes you during a crash. Although studies exist that show seatbelts contribute to soft tissue injuries, they prevent life-threatening ones.
Adjust your headrest: Make sure your headrest is directly behind and level to your head. Tilt the headrest forward, paying attention to the distance from the back of the head to the headrest. Less than four inches is the more desirable distance. This will help you prevent the sudden head-jerking movements that cause whiplash.
Sit in an upright position: Remain upright as you drive without slumping or tilting to the side. Otherwise, you may miss your headrest, resulting in a more severe whiplash injury.
Get Relief From Your Whiplash Pain—Call Physiotherapy Professionals Parramatta
Have you suffered a car accident that resulted in whiplash or severe neck pain? A Physiotherapist can help. Reach out to us today on 0479 080 800 or email us: [email protected]
As you may know that a car accident will cause damage to your vehicle. You may also know that an accident can result in serious bodily injury that requires immediate medical attention. But did you know that not all injuries show symptoms immediately? It’s important to understand what you may experience physically after an accident to ensure you recover properly.
Common Types of Car Accident Injuries
A motor vehicle accident can result in a wide array of injuries, ranging from minor to severe. Some of the more common types of car accident injuries can include:
Neck and back injuries, including whiplash
Shoulder, wrist, hand, knee and elbow injuries
Broken bones
Burns, cuts and scrapes
Head injuries, dizziness and nausea
Numbness and tingling
While some injuries may seem minor at the time, it’s important to see your GP first followed by an assessment by an experienced Physiotherapist. During a car accident, your muscles, tendons, nerves, discs and joints can be affected, causing neck, shoulder, back injuries and whiplash. These injuries often require treatment by an experienced Physiotherapist who will assess and treat the affected area, resulting in pain relief and guidance during a mentally and physically stressful period.
The First Step to Recovery After a Car Accident
First things first, it’s important to remember that your body is in a state of shock after an accident. You should always seek medical attention from a qualified Physiotherapist, even if you can’t physically see any injury or if you “feel fine.” Some injuries such as head injuries and whiplash may not be immediately noticeable. This is why it’s so important to see a qualified Physiotherapist as soon as possible.
Moreover, if you wait too long to seek Physiotherapy care, your pain may worsen, even after a minor accident or take much longer to recover than it ordinarily should. Physiotherapy Professionals Parramatta are experienced at treating motor vehicle accidents and guiding you through the claims process which can often be confusing.
How Long Should I Be Sore After a Car Accident?
Aches and pains are common even after minor accidents. How long pain lasts depends on a variety of factors, including vehicle speed, vehicle size, whether you were struck, whether or not the airbags deployed, what type of injury you suffered and more. Your Physiotherapist will assess your injuries when you come in for an initial assessment and explain what you can expect in the days to come.
Don’t Ignore Delayed Symptoms After an Accident
Some symptoms may not show up until well after your accident. For example, whiplash symptoms can occur a few days or even a week after your accident. Other delayed injuries may include headaches, shoulder pain, back pain and more. Don’t ignore delayed symptoms; they may be an indicator of a more serious underlying condition that needs treatment from an experienced car accident doctor as soon as possible.
Treatment:
Rehabilitation Programs after Car Accident
Contact Us:
Most car accident injuries can be treated by a skilled and experienced Physiotherapist. If you’ve been hurt in an accident, don’t wait. Reach out to today by calling 0479 080 800 or send us a message on [email protected].
Can you see a Physiotherapist during COVID-19? September 2021 Update.
Yes you can.
Are you open for face to face appointments?
Yes we are.
Can I travel outside my LGA for Physiotherapy appointments?
Yes you can.
Can I travel outside the 5 Km limit to attend Physiotherapy appointments?
Yes you can. The 5 Km limit only applies to exercise and essential shopping.
Which patients can attend?
We are seeing all types of patients and injuries. Priority is being given to:
Any one with acute onset of pain and needs to see a Physiotherapist in Parramatta
Work injuries (Work Cover claims)
Motor vehicle accident injuries (CTP Claims)
Work from home injuries (WFH Injury)
NDIS Physiotherapy
Covid Update: September 2021
COVID-19 restrictions in Parramatta are changing (September 2021 Update). In saying that, we still need to practice excellent hygiene practices. Physiotherapy services are classified as essential services during the COVID-19 crisis.
While attending appointments:
Masks are required to be worn (available at the clinic)
Only patients can attend appointments
With the stay-at-home restrictions put in place to help prevent its spread of Covid, many of our patients were concerned about whether they are able to see their Physiotherapist during this time. The answer is yes, you can still see your Physiotherapist and other necessary healthcare professionals.
Physiotherapy Is an Essential Service in Parramatta
Physiotherapy care has been recognised as an essential service by the Federal and State Governments. This means our clinic is open and operating under regular office hours. We’re currently serving our patients in all capacities, helping treat various musculoskeletal complaints such as neck, back and head pain, as well as other orthopedic issues.
We are currently seeing:
Musculoskeletal injuries
Work from home injuries
Car accident claims (CTP Claims)
Work injury (WorkCover claims)
NDIS Physiotherapy (Home visits available)
Tips for Protecting Yourself and Others During Your Physiotherapy Visit
We must all do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19. When you visit us for Physiotherapy session, here are a few tips to use to ensure you keep yourself and others safe.
Stay home if you’re sick: What may seem like the common cold could actually be mild COVID-19 symptoms. If you have a cough, fever or runny nose, or if you simply feel sick, please stay home.
Wash your hands often: We recommend washing your hands when you arrive for your visit and before you leave, as well as after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Make sure to use soap and water and wash for at least 20 seconds.
Take it to the elbow: Should you need to sneeze or cough, do so into your elbow if a tissue isn’t available.
Keep an arms length distance between you and others: NSW Health recommends maintaining a distance of 1.5m or more between you and others. Respiratory droplets produced after coughing or sneezing won’t travel more than 1.5m. In the waiting room, do what you can to keep your distance from other patients.
Get vaccinated
How Physiotherapy Professionals Parramatta Is Keeping You and Our Staff Safe
At Physiotherapy Professionals Parramatta, we’re doing everything we can to ensure our patients receive treatment in a safe environment. You may have seen our previous posts regarding our hygiene standards and cleaning practices. We’ve stocked up on essential cleaning and disinfectant supplies and are completing cleaning several times throughout the day. Each treatment room is cleaned between patient visits and we’re closely following all NSW Health guidelines for each cleaning procedure.
We are serious about hygiene. All equipment used is wiped down with Dettol wipes.
All surfaces in the Reception area are regularly wiped down with Dettol wipes for your safety.
Schedule an Appointment With Us Today
Are you suffering from back pain, headaches, neck pain or something else? Our team is here to help during this time. Reach out to us today.
I Was Injured in a Car Accident Do I Need to see a Physio? Short answer is Yes. Yes you do. This scenario might sound familiar: you’re driving on a rod you’ve travelled a thousand times, minding your own business, when out of nowhere, you’re involved in a motor vehicle accident at no fault of your own.
Maybe you were rear ended or t-boned. In any event, your car has sustained serious damage, and you didn’t come out of the experience unscathed, either.
You might think you are fine at the time of accident as your brain is full of hormones responsible for the flight or fight reaction. A few hours pass and you realise you’re suffering from pain in your neck, in your back, in your ribs, possibly in your knees. Someone tells you, you might have whiplash.
You start to develop neural symptoms such as numbness, pins and needles and shooting pain. You don’t think much of it as you are strong and you need to get things done. A few days pass and now even just sitting at work, or playing with the kids is getting harder and harder. You finally decide to take action.
So what do you do next?
All personal injuries caused due to a motor vehicle in NSW are covered under CTP Insurance (Green Slip Insurance):
In Australia, you must see a GP (doctor) after your motor vehicle accident to start the compulsory third party – CTP claims process. All medical expenses and any out of pocket expenses such as lost wages, medical expenses, medications and scans are all covered under CTP insurance scheme.
Who do you see next?
Time to see a Physiotherapist. Physiotherapists diagnose and treat mechanical disorders in the musculoskeletal system. Physiotherapists focus on providing treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, helping you minimise pain without the use of multiple scans, medications or un necessary trips to the doctors.
After a car accident, you’re in pain and in shock. You’re most likely also receiving a great deal of advice from well-intentioned friends, family, and colleagues. That advice is probably also conflicting. “See a Chiropractor!” “Don’t see a Chiropractor – you need Physiotherapy!” What should you do?
For a start, listen to their recommendations and assess them according to what’s in your best interest. Also, unless these people have been in your situation, they might not know exactly what the right thing for you is. Bear in mind that going to a Physiotherapist might result in faster care. You’ll need to see your GP first regardless to ensure you haven’t seriously injured yourself from a motor vehicle accident.
A Physiotherapist is trained to provide you with personalised care after your motor vehicle accident. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Your Physiotherapist will examine you carefully to determine what your injuries are and their extent. In addition, Physiotherapist care is holistic in nature. That means that your Physiotherapist will look at your whole body, not just your back or neck. The treatment they prescribe helps you as a whole feel better now and in the future.
Thirdly, you should be aware that if left untreated or not treated properly, pain from whiplash or other injuries stemming from your car accident can last for years. There’s a better chance that a Physiotherapist can provide you with the follow-up care that you need so that you can heal and return to an active, healthy life and doing things that you love.
What If You’re Not in Pain after the Accident?
Let’s say that after your car accident, you’re not in any pain. You’re able to walk around, move your neck, stretch, even do jumping jacks. That doesn’t mean that you haven’t been injured. Within 24 hours, you might start to feel the effects of the accident. Even if you don’t feel any pain immediately after your car accident, don’t turn down a medical or Physiotherapy review. And you should most certainly see your Physiotherapist. They will examine you in detail and determine whether you’ve sustained an injury and how serious it is.
Turn to an Experienced Physiotherapist After You’ve Been in a Car Accident
If you’ve been in a car accident, a Physiotherapist can help you recover from painful injuries such as whiplash. Physiotherapists can provide the long-term follow-up care you need that will ensure you heal properly, and a Physiotherapist treats the whole person, not just particular body parts.
Our experienced Physiotherapists at Physiotherapy Professionals Parramatta , practices a wealth of services, treatment options, and procedures that help to restore patients to their healthy selves. Get in touch with the clinic and we look forward to helping you.
Contact:
For more information on how we can further assist you, please call our clinic number on 0479 080 800 or send us an email on [email protected] for further details. Our Physiotherapists are Medicare, NDIS, DVA and Work Cover approved, specialising in injury management and rehabilitation to get you back on track.