Actually, let us address the term ACCIDENT first. This is a totally inappropriate term for a motor vehicle crash (MVC). An accident is when you knock the milk of the counter in the kitchen with your elbow. An accident is when you trip over the rug and break the lamp. An accident is when your two-year old can’t quite master potty training. However, when a 2,500 – 6,000 pound vehicle slams into you, the correct terminology is a CRASH.

Think of your high school science classes … Newton’s second law of motion describes the relationship between an object’s mass and the amount of force needed to accelerate it, or the force it carries when it is moving. Newton’s second law is often stated as F=ma, which means the force (F) acting on an object is equal to the mass (m) of an object times its acceleration (a).

Now let’s put this into perspective with a 3,000lb vehicle (mass) traveling at 10 mph (acceleration), involved in an “accident” with your stationary vehicle. Remember that F=ma, so the striking force generated from that moving vehicle is approximately 30,000lbs as it collides with the vehicle you are riding in. Now let’s say your vehicle at 2,500lbs is also moving at 10 mph, and you collide head-on! That is approximately 55,000lbs of total impact force. This is a CRASH plain and simple and the injuries can be significant.

So, why call Integrity Chiropractic afterward … here are just 7 reasons.

  1. Whiplash mechanism injuries may not show symptoms until days or weeks later. This is actually more common than you would think and is called delayed onset. Delaying a proper examination and treatment also poorly affects healing.
  2. Injuries will usually not heal on their own. In fact, the most common Injuries, buckling of the neck curve, ligament damage and disc injuries need specific protocols for proper healing.
  3. For most cases in Florida, treatment can cost you nothing out of pocket, even if it’s your fault. This is due to the Florida required personal injury protection insurance.
  4. Medical professionals agree that the first 72 hours after an accident are the most critical and starting treatment can be the most effective inside that timeframe. In the state of Florida, you must see a doctor in 14 days according to the Florida PIP insurance law to be covered.
  5. The majority of injuries from car accidents occur at slower speeds than you think. Speeds of 3-12 MPH are common. Your car might not show much damage, but your body can still be injured. In fact, we often see worse injuries in the under 15 mph range than the 15-30 mph range.
  6. A soft-tissue injury (muscle, disc, ligament and nerve) can be permanent, and often worse than a bone fracture. Fractures usually heel in 6-8 weeks where ligament tears can take up to 2 years for full resolution, and scar tissue formation can leave you prone to re-injury in the future. This is a major reason to be examined.
  7. Dr. Leatherman and Dr. Bak have hundreds of hours of post-doctoral training in accident kinematics, motor vehicle trauma, motor vehicle injury, whiplash mechanisms, forensic risk analysis, concussion, soft tissue healing, injury rehabilitation and structural corrective treatment protocols.

“What about a ‘FENDER BENDER’, it’s just a small dent, how can I be hurt?”

In actuality, 5mph, and 8mph rated bumpers are intended to protect the car not the occupant. These fenders have been created to be elastic and bend or spring back after an impact rather than to dent or CRUSH. This has a negative effect on passenger safety and allows more energy to be transferred through the vehicle.

“But, aren’t the bumpers and fenders designed to protect me?”

No, they were designed to reduce repair costs for the insurance companies, NOT to protect the occupants, and multiple published research investigations have proven they can increase injury in the vehicle occupants by not allowing the striking fore to dissipate with crushing of the vehicle (think crumple zones). When vehicle bumpers break, it actually reduces the forces to the occupants and is called “ride down”.

There is much more to understand, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. At Integrity Chiropractic, we take these injuries seriously and we know what we are doing. In fact, Dr. Leatherman and Dr. Bak’s physical examination process has over 150 key variables evaluated and that doesn’t even include the x-ray evaluation and digitization analysis of those x-rays. Not to mention we have a great team of people in rehab and the front office to help you through the process after a CRASH.

Call us anytime at 850-864-5300 with any additional questions, we are here to help.

References:

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