Should I Go to Physical Therapy After a Car Accident?

Physical therapy helps you recover and regain functionality after a collision. Here's why you might need physical therapy:

• You have sustained injuries to your muscles, joints, or bones.
• You're experiencing serious or chronic pain.
• You've lost physical mobility and functionality due to a crash.

What are the benefits of physical therapy after a car accident?

Physical therapy after a car accident can help you make a full or partial recovery. Its key benefits include:

• Pain management: Car accidents often result in various types of painful injuries, such as whiplash, muscle strains, or joint sprains. Physical therapy can help treat pain through targeted exercises, manual therapy, and modalities like heat or cold therapy.
• Restoring mobility: Car accident injuries can limit your range of motion and mobility. Physical therapy focuses on restoring flexibility, strength, and joint mobility through specialized exercises and stretching techniques.
• Rehabilitation: Serious car accidents can lead to broken bones, dislocations, and other debilitating injuries. Physical therapy aids in the rehabilitation process by designing personalized treatment plans. These help you regain strength, coordination, and function in the affected areas.
• Preventing long-term complications: Without proper rehabilitation, car accident injuries can result in long-term complications. This can include chronic pain, muscle imbalances, or reduced functionality. Physical therapy addresses underlying issues to promote recovery.

Here are some common types of physical therapy techniques used to treat car accident injuries:

• Manual therapy: This technique involves hands-on manipulation and mobilization of muscles and joints. It helps to reduce pain, improve range of motion, and restore normal function.
• Therapeutic exercises: Tailored exercise programs are designed to strengthen weakened muscles, improve flexibility, and enhance mobility. These exercises help restore strength and stability to the injured areas.
• Electrical stimulation: This therapy involves the use of electrical currents to stimulate muscles, reduce pain, and promote healing. It can also help improve circulation and reduce muscle spasms.
• Heat and cold therapy: Heat therapy helps relax muscles, increase blood flow, and relieve pain. Cold therapy reduces inflammation and swelling. Both therapies can manage pain and promote healing.
• Ultrasound therapy: High-frequency sound waves can generate deep heat within the tissue. This therapy can help reduce pain, decrease swelling, and improve blood circulation.
• Traction: Traction involves the gentle pulling or stretching of the spine or limbs to relieve pressure on nerves and reduce pain. It can be beneficial for treating neck and back injuries after a car accident.

If you've incurred physical therapy costs after a collision, it's important to understand your options for compensation. Here are a few steps you can take:

• Document your treatment: Keep thorough records of all medical treatments, prescriptions, and physical therapy sessions related to your collision. This will provide evidence of the costs you've incurred.
• Contact your insurance company: Notify your insurance provider about your car accident. Stick to the basic facts and avoid providing too much information.
• Consult with a car accident lawyer: If someone else's negligence caused your crash, you may be entitled to compensation. Consult with a Premier car accident lawyer who can assess your case and explore your legal options.
   

Does getting physical therapy after a car accident affect my settlement?

Seeking physical therapy after a car accident is crucial for your recovery. It can also serve as evidence to support your car accident claim. It helps to demonstrate the extent of your injuries and the associated medical expenses.

Insurance companies may argue that the need for physical therapy suggests a pre-existing condition. They may also say that your injuries are not as serious as you claim.

That’s why you should consistently attend your medical appointments and avoid any activity that can slow your recovery or disprove your claim. Also, avoid speaking to insurance companies unless it's absolutely necessary. Anything you say to them can be twisted and used against you.

While physical therapy may have helped you recover physically, it's important to understand that the aftermath of a car accident involves much more than just physical injuries. Navigating the complex legal system and dealing with insurance companies can be overwhelming. If you attempt to handle your claim alone, you could find yourself at a disadvantage.

An experienced car accident attorney can handle your case, so you only have to focus on recovery. Here’s what you can expect when you hire a car accident lawyer:

• A thorough investigation: An attorney will thoroughly investigate the accident, collect evidence, and build a strong argument in your favor. They often have access to a network of professionals that can assist with the investigation. These include accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, and adjusters.
• Legal advocacy: Dealing with insurance companies can be challenging, especially when they try to downplay the extent of your injuries or offer insufficient settlements. An attorney will advocate for your rights, handle all communication with them, and protect you from any unfair tactics.
• More compensation: An attorney will fight for fair compensation. They'll consider your physical injuries, emotional trauma, lost wages, ongoing medical expenses, and other crash-related damages. They will also work tirelessly to negotiate with insurance companies and fight for a settlement that fully compensates you. The insurance industry’s own data shows that people who hire attorneys recover more than those who don’t, even taking the attorney’s fee into account.

Finding an experienced car accident attorney to handle your case is simple. Just fill out the contact form below and reach out to a Law.com Premier attorney in your area. These attorneys offer free consultations, where you’ll have a chance to tell your side of the story and explore your legal options.

Plus, car accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they win your case. This ensures that you receive legal representation without any upfront costs. Set up your free consultation today to get started.