Car Accidents and Chiropractic in New York State

Hat tip to San Fransisco Personal Injury Lawyer Arkady Itkin for posting an article which is very important for victims of New York Car Accidents to read:

  "It is very important to be aware of the general perception of chiropractors in the community and particularly in the insurance business. The opinion of chiropractors, although has a weight, is significantly inferior to that of an M.D. (medical doctor) or a surgeon (such as an orthopedic surgeon)."

Why is this information important?  - Many people who suffer serious injuries in car accidents or other injury incidents end up in a chiropractor's office shortly after sustaining an injury.  They may undergo 3-4 months of chiropractic treatment and don’t bother to see any other doctors.

In New York State, this is likely to dramatically reduce your potential settlement or trial verdict. It may even result in getting your case dismissed by the court. The insurance company will argue that you weren’t injured as badly, because if you were, you would have gone to see a “real” doctor.

Mr. Itkin correctly points out: "remember, it’s not how badly you are injured but it’s what you can prove that determines the outcome of your injury case."

Therefore,  if you suffer an injury, it’s very important that you see a medical doctor shortly after the incident. The doctor will likely refer you for further evaluation, such as MRI, Nerve Testing, etc.., and may recommend that you see a specialist, such as orthopedic surgeon, neurosurgeon or another specialist as might be medically necessary. You may supplement your treatment with seeing a chiropractor, but if you sustained a serious injury, chiropractic treatment should never be the only medical care you receive.

I could not agree more, Arkady. Additionally, In New York State, the No Fault insurance carriers will send claimants for Independent Medical Examinations very soon after the accident.  The negative results of these examinations can be extremely detrimental to any subsequent testing or treatment patients may require. 

If you are not getting any relief from your chiropractor, make sure you see a medical doctor before you are scheduled for your insurance medical exam.

Arkady Itkin's Blog Post is Here