Question 1

What should I do immediately after a car accident?

Accepted Answer

Get medical attention if you have any sign of serious injury — significant bleeding, loss of consciousness, severe pain, breathing difficulty. Otherwise: document the scene, exchange information, file a police report if appropriate, contact your auto insurer to open a claim. Then book a chiropractic exam within the first week if you're experiencing any pain, stiffness, headache, or unusual symptoms — even mild ones.

Question 2

How soon after my accident should I come in?

Accepted Answer

The sooner the better. The first 1–2 weeks after a crash is when soft-tissue injuries respond best to treatment, and same-week documentation strengthens any insurance or legal claim. If you're outside that window, come anyway — most accident-related injuries are still treatable months out.

Question 3

Is it too late if my accident was weeks or months ago?

Accepted Answer

Almost certainly not. Texas PIP claims have time limits but they're generally measured in years. Treatment outcomes are better when started early, but late-onset symptoms are very common after motor-vehicle accidents and don't disqualify you from care or coverage.

Question 4

Do I need a referral?

Accepted Answer

No. Texas patients can see a chiropractor directly without a referral from another provider.

Question 5

Are you accepting new patients?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We schedule new auto-accident patients every business day, often same-day.

Question 6

How many visits will I need?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your specific injuries. Most auto-accident treatment plans run 4–12 weeks. We give you a clear estimate after the initial exam, and we re-evaluate regularly. If you're recovering faster than expected, we shorten care. We don't extend treatment past the point of medical necessity.

Question 7

Will I need surgery?

Accepted Answer

Probably not. The majority of auto-accident injuries respond to conservative care — chiropractic, soft-tissue therapy, decompression, and rehabilitation. For the small percentage of cases that require surgical evaluation, we coordinate with orthopedic and neurosurgical specialists.

Question 8

Will I need an MRI?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes. We image when exam findings suggest disc, ligament, or nerve involvement that X-ray can't visualize. We don't order MRIs speculatively. When one's needed, we coordinate the referral and the results come back to us as part of your treatment plan.

Question 9

What if I just have soreness, not severe pain?

Accepted Answer

Come in. Soreness after a crash is often the early stage of an injury that intensifies over the following days as inflammation peaks. An exam either finds something that warrants treatment or doesn't — either way, you have answers. And early documentation protects your claim.

Question 10

What if my symptoms got worse after the accident, not right after?

Accepted Answer

That's actually the most common pattern. Adrenaline and stress hormones suppress pain immediately after a crash. As they wear off and inflammation peaks (typically 24–72 hours later), symptoms surface and intensify. This delay does not disqualify you from PIP coverage or weaken your case — it's medically expected.

Question 11

What if I'm uninsured?

Accepted Answer

If you have no auto insurance, no health insurance, and no active personal-injury claim, treatment options are limited. If you have an attorney and a viable claim against the at-fault driver, letter-of-protection care can cover treatment. Otherwise, we'll discuss self-pay options.

Question 12

What if the at-fault driver was uninsured?

Accepted Answer

Your own PIP still covers you — that's the point of no-fault coverage. PIP doesn't care who hit you or whether they had insurance. Your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may also come into play for damages beyond PIP.

Question 13

Can I bring my passengers or family who were also in the accident?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If they were in your covered vehicle, they're covered under your PIP — and the limit applies per person, not per accident, so each injured person gets the full benefit. We can evaluate and treat multiple family members from the same crash.

Question 14

Do you communicate with my other doctors?

Accepted Answer

Yes. With your authorization, we share records with your primary care provider, ER discharge team, specialists, and any attorney involved in your case. Coordinated care leads to better outcomes.

Question 15

What if I need to come in often during the first few weeks?

Accepted Answer

That's normal and expected for the acute phase of treatment. Visits are typically 30–60 minutes. We schedule efficiently and offer a range of appointment times to accommodate work schedules.

The questions Hurst crash patients ask us most.

Have a question that isn't answered here?