Automobile Accident
Specialist
It’s estimated that the average driver will file an insurance claim for a car accident every 18 years. While most accidents are not deadly, they frequently result in injuries that require ongoing medical care. Todd Koppel, MD, at Garden State Pain Management specializes in treating patients with automobile accident injuries and in completing the documentation needed to file an insurance claim. If you’re in an accident, call the office in Clifton, New Jersey, or use the online booking tool to schedule an immediate appointment.
What should I know about whiplash?
Automobile accidents are the most common cause of whiplash, usually from a rear impact that makes your head suddenly snap back-and-forth. The force of the whiplash damages the soft tissues in your neck, and in severe cases, it harms vertebrae and nerves.
You may also have symptoms such as memory problems, blurry vision, and ringing in the ears. For some patients, whiplash pain doesn’t go away; instead, it turns into chronic pain syndrome.
In many cases, symptoms appear within 24 hours, but they may not develop for several days. When they appear, you’ll experience:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Pain that worsens when you move your neck
- Loss of movement
- Headache
- Pain in your shoulder, upper back, or arms
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
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Do I need a medical exam if I feel fine following an automobile accident?
Yes, you should always schedule a comprehensive exam after an automobile accident, even if you think you’re fine. Several types of potentially serious problems like whiplash, concussion, and internal bleeding can cause delayed symptoms. Scheduling a prompt exam with Dr. Koppel ensures any problems are diagnosed and treatment is started before complications develop.
You’ll also need a timely medical exam to document your accident and subsequent injuries. This type of documentation is essential for filing insurance claims or personal injury lawsuits.
If you wait to see Dr. Koppel, you’ll have a gap in time between your accident and medical care. That time lapse gives the insurance company an opportunity to claim your injuries are not directly associated with the automobile accident.
What other injuries occur following an automobile accident?
Beyond whiplash and neck pain, patients who come to Garden State Pain Management following an automobile accident often have low back pain due to herniated discs, vertebral fractures, and soft tissue damage.
Whether you suffer a spinal injury or you struggle with pain due to fractured legs or hips, the initial pain caused by an automobile accident develops into ongoing chronic pain in about one out of five people.
How is my pain treated?
Dr. Koppel provides interventional treatment options that target the nerves sending pain signals to your brain. He may perform an epidural injection, which contains an anesthetic and a steroid. As he injects the medications at or near nerves in your spinal cord, the anesthetic immediately relieves your pain, while the steroid reduces inflammation and provides longer-lasting relief.
Many other diagnostic procedures and treatments are available. Depending on your injury, Dr. Koppel may recommend interventional options, such as trigger point injections, facet and sacroiliac joint injections, and selective nerve blocks.