What To Do After A Car Accident

Car accidents can be stressful and disorienting, even when they seem minor. Many injuries associated with motor vehicle collisions are not immediately obvious and may develop hours or days later. Knowing what steps to take after an accident can help protect your health and ensure that injuries are properly evaluated and treated.

Below are several important steps to consider after a motor vehicle accident.

1. Check for Injuries and Seek Immediate Help if Necessary

Your first priority after an accident should always be safety. Check yourself and others involved in the collision for injuries. If anyone appears seriously injured, call emergency services immediately.

Even when injuries do not appear severe, it is important to take symptoms seriously. Neck pain, back pain, headaches, and dizziness are common after collisions and may indicate underlying injury.

2. Move to a Safe Location

If the vehicles involved can be moved and it is safe to do so, move them out of traffic to prevent further accidents. Turn on hazard lights and remain aware of your surroundings while waiting for assistance.

3. Contact Law Enforcement

In many cases, contacting law enforcement is important for documentation purposes. A police report provides an official record of the accident and may be useful for insurance claims and medical documentation.

When speaking with law enforcement, provide clear and factual information about what occurred.

4. Exchange Information

Be sure to collect important information from the other driver or drivers involved in the accident.

This typically includes:

• Name and contact information

• Driver’s license number

• Vehicle registration information

• Insurance company and policy number

If possible, take photographs of the vehicles, damage, and accident scene.

5. Document the Accident

Photos and notes can help provide an accurate record of the incident. Consider documenting:

• Vehicle damage

• Road conditions

• Traffic signs or signals

• Visible injuries

• The position of vehicles at the scene

These details can be helpful for insurance claims and medical evaluations.

6. Monitor Symptoms in the Hours and Days Following the Accident

Many injuries from motor vehicle accidents do not cause immediate symptoms. Soft tissue injuries, joint irritation, and disc injuries may take time to develop noticeable pain or stiffness.

Common symptoms that may appear after a car accident include:

• Neck pain or stiffness

• Back pain

• Headaches

• Shoulder pain

• Reduced range of motion

• Muscle tightness or soreness

• Jaw pain or facial tension

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical evaluation.

7. Schedule a Medical Evaluation

Even if symptoms appear mild, a medical evaluation can help identify injuries that may otherwise go untreated. Early assessment allows healthcare providers to determine the extent of injury and recommend appropriate treatment. Whiplash is very common even after minor car accidents. Click Here to learn more about whiplash.

Prompt evaluation can also help prevent minor injuries from developing into more persistent problems.

8. Follow Recommended Treatment

If an injury is diagnosed, following the recommended treatment plan is important for recovery. Treatment may involve a combination of approaches designed to reduce pain, restore mobility, and support healing.

Rehabilitation and movement-based care are often important components of recovery following musculoskeletal injuries.

When to Seek Care

If you have been involved in a car accident and experience symptoms such as neck pain, back pain, headaches, or stiffness, a healthcare evaluation may help determine the cause of your symptoms and guide appropriate care.

Early attention to injuries can play an important role in recovery and long-term health.

About Dr. Joel Ardner

Dr. Joel Ardner provides evaluation and treatment for musculoskeletal injuries, including those sustained in motor vehicle accidents. His approach focuses on identifying injured tissues, restoring normal movement, and helping patients recover safely and effectively.

Patients are seen at Fabrizio Chiropractic & Physical Rehabilitation in Tiffin, Ohio.

Schedule an Evaluation

If you were recently involved in a motor vehicle accident and are experiencing pain or stiffness, scheduling an evaluation may help identify the cause of your symptoms and begin the recovery process. Click Here to learn more about car accident treatment in our office.

Understanding TMJ Disorder

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. It sits just in front of each ear and allows the jaw to open, close, and move side to side. This joint plays an important role in everyday activities such as talking, chewing, and yawning.

When the joint or surrounding muscles do not function properly, it can lead to a condition known as temporomandibular joint disorder, often referred to as TMJ or TMD. TMJ disorders can cause pain, stiffness, clicking in the jaw, and difficulty with normal jaw movement.

How the Temporomandibular Joint Works

The temporomandibular joint is one of the most complex joints in the body. It functions as a combination of a hinge and sliding joint, allowing the jaw to move smoothly during speech and chewing.

Several structures work together to support this movement, including:

• The jawbone (mandible)

• The temporal bone of the skull

• A small cartilage disc inside the joint

• Ligaments that stabilize the joint

• Muscles that control jaw movement

When any of these structures become irritated, inflamed, or dysfunctional, TMJ symptoms can develop.

Common Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

TMJ problems can produce a variety of symptoms. Some individuals experience mild discomfort, while others may have more persistent pain or difficulty with jaw movement.

Common symptoms include:

• Jaw pain or tenderness

• Clicking or popping in the jaw

• Difficulty opening or closing the mouth

• Jaw stiffness or locking

• Headaches

• Facial pain or muscle tension

• Ear pain or pressure

• Pain when chewing

Symptoms may occur on one or both sides of the jaw and may fluctuate over time.

What Causes TMJ Problems?

TMJ disorders can develop for several reasons. Often, more than one factor contributes to the condition.

Common contributing factors include:

• Muscle tension in the jaw and face

• Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism)

• Stress-related muscle tightness

• Jaw injury or trauma

• Misalignment of the jaw joint

• Poor posture affecting the neck and jaw

• Dysfunction in the cervical spine (neck)

Because the jaw and neck work closely together, problems in the neck can sometimes contribute to jaw pain and TMJ symptoms.

The Relationship Between the Jaw and the Neck

The muscles that control jaw movement are closely connected to the muscles of the neck and upper spine. For this reason, dysfunction in the cervical spine can sometimes influence how the jaw moves and feels.

Patients with TMJ disorders often also experience:

• Neck pain

• tension headaches

• stiffness in the upper back or shoulders

Addressing both the jaw and the surrounding musculoskeletal structures may be important when evaluating TMJ symptoms. Click Here to learn more about neck pain.

When to Seek Evaluation for TMJ Symptoms

Occasional jaw clicking without pain is fairly common and does not always require treatment. However, persistent pain, difficulty chewing, or limited jaw movement should be evaluated.

A healthcare provider can assess jaw movement, surrounding muscle tension, and contributing factors that may be affecting the joint.

Early evaluation may help prevent symptoms from becoming more severe or long-lasting.

TMJ Evaluation and Treatment

Treatment for TMJ disorders often focuses on reducing muscle tension, improving joint movement, and addressing contributing factors. Dry needling is often used in the management of TMJ issues. Click Here to learn more about dry needling.

Approaches may include:

• evaluation of jaw movement

• treatment of surrounding muscles

• improving neck mobility

• posture correction

• movement-based rehabilitation exercises

In some cases, collaboration with dental providers may also be helpful when managing TMJ disorders.

About Dr. Joel Ardner

Dr. Joel Ardner provides evaluation and treatment for musculoskeletal conditions affecting the jaw, neck, and spine. Care focuses on identifying contributing factors, improving joint function, and helping patients reduce pain and restore normal movement.

Patients are seen at Fabrizio Chiropractic & Physical Rehabilitation in Tiffin, Ohio.

Schedule an Evaluation

If you are experiencing jaw pain, headaches, or clicking in the jaw, a professional evaluation may help determine the cause of your symptoms and guide appropriate care.

Is Chiropractic Care Safe For Children?

Chiropractic care is often associated with treating back pain or injuries in adults, but many parents are surprised to learn that chiropractic care can also be appropriate for children in certain situations.

Children’s bodies are constantly growing and adapting. From learning to walk to participating in sports and school activities, the musculoskeletal system is under continual development. When issues arise that affect movement or cause discomfort, evaluation of the spine and surrounding joints may sometimes be helpful.

Why Children May Experience Musculoskeletal Problems

Just like adults, children can experience muscle strain, joint irritation, and postural stress. These problems may develop from everyday activities or minor injuries.

Common contributors include:

• Sports and recreational activities

• Falls or minor injuries

• Heavy backpacks

• Long periods of screen use

• Postural habits while studying or using devices

These factors can sometimes lead to neck pain, back pain, headaches, or general stiffness.

What Chiropractic Evaluation Looks Like for Children

Evaluation of children is typically gentle and focused on identifying areas where movement may be restricted or where muscle tension is present.

A healthcare provider may assess:

• posture

• spinal movement

• muscle tension

• joint function

• activity history

The goal is to understand how the child’s body is moving and whether any musculoskeletal factors may be contributing to symptoms.

Conditions Children May Experience

Some of the common reasons parents seek evaluation include:

• neck pain

• back pain

• sports-related strains

• headaches

• posture-related discomfort

In many cases, symptoms may be related to muscle tension or joint irritation that develops during normal activity.

Chiropractic Care for Children

When treatment is recommended, care for children is typically very gentle and adapted to the child’s age and size. Techniques used for children are different from those used for adults and focus on improving movement and reducing muscle tension.

Treatment plans may also include simple exercises or recommendations that help support healthy posture and movement.

Supporting Healthy Growth and Movement

Children are naturally active and resilient. Encouraging good posture, regular movement, and safe participation in sports and activities helps support musculoskeletal health.

If a child develops persistent discomfort or limited movement, evaluation may help identify the underlying cause and guide appropriate care.

About Dr. Joel Ardner

Dr. Joel Ardner provides evaluation and treatment for musculoskeletal conditions affecting patients of all ages, including children, adolescents, and adults. Care focuses on improving movement, reducing pain, and helping patients return to their normal activities.

Patients are seen at Fabrizio Chiropractic & Physical Rehabilitation in Tiffin, Ohio.

How Long After a Car Accident Should You See a Chiropractor?

After a car accident, many people are unsure whether they need medical evaluation, especially if they feel relatively normal immediately following the collision. However, injuries to the muscles, joints, and discs of the spine often do not produce symptoms right away.

In many cases, pain and stiffness develop hours or even days after an accident. For this reason, early evaluation can be an important step in identifying injuries and preventing symptoms from becoming more severe.

Why Symptoms May Be Delayed After a Car Accident

Motor vehicle accidents place sudden forces on the body, particularly on the neck and spine. During impact, the body may move rapidly forward and backward, placing stress on muscles, ligaments, and spinal joints.

Immediately after an accident, the body often releases adrenaline and stress hormones that can temporarily mask pain. Once these effects wear off, symptoms may begin to appear.

Common delayed symptoms include:

• Neck stiffness

• Headaches

• Back pain

• Shoulder pain

• Muscle tightness

• Reduced range of motion

These symptoms may develop gradually over the first 24–72 hours following an accident.

Why Early Evaluation Is Important

Even when pain seems mild at first, underlying injuries may still be present. Early evaluation allows healthcare providers to assess the spine and surrounding tissues to determine whether injury has occurred.

Prompt evaluation may help:

• Identify injuries early

• Reduce inflammation and muscle tension

• Prevent minor injuries from worsening

• Improve recovery outcomes

Waiting too long to address symptoms can sometimes allow muscle tightness, joint restriction, or inflammation to become more persistent.

Common Injuries Seen After Car Accidents

Motor vehicle collisions frequently affect the cervical spine (neck) and surrounding structures.

Some of the most common injuries include:

Whiplash

Whiplash occurs when the neck moves rapidly forward and backward during impact. This motion can irritate muscles, ligaments, and spinal joints.

Symptoms often include:

• neck pain and stiffness

• headaches

• reduced neck movement

• muscle soreness

Muscle and Ligament Strain

Soft tissues of the neck and upper back may become stretched or irritated during an accident. This can lead to muscle tightness and discomfort.

Joint Irritation

The small joints of the cervical spine can become restricted or inflamed after sudden movement or trauma.

Disc Injuries

In some cases, the discs that cushion the spine may become irritated or injured during a collision.

When Should You Seek Evaluation?

If you were involved in a car accident, it is generally recommended to seek medical evaluation as soon as symptoms appear.

Consider scheduling an evaluation if you experience:

• neck or back pain

• headaches following an accident

• stiffness or reduced range of motion

• shoulder or upper back discomfort

• symptoms that develop within a few days of the collision

Even mild symptoms may indicate underlying injury.

What to Expect During an Evaluation

A healthcare evaluation after a car accident typically includes:

Accident History
Review of how the collision occurred and what symptoms have developed.

Physical Examination
Complete orthopedic and neurologic assessment to determine what structures are causing the pain. X rays are often ordered.

Treatment Planning
Development of a plan designed to reduce pain, restore mobility, and support recovery.

About Dr. Joel Ardner

Dr. Joel Ardner provides evaluation and treatment for musculoskeletal injuries, including those sustained in motor vehicle accidents. Care focuses on identifying injured tissues, restoring normal movement, and helping patients recover safely and effectively.

Patients are seen at Fabrizio Chiropractic & Physical Rehabilitation in Tiffin, Ohio.

Schedule an Evaluation

If you were recently involved in a motor vehicle accident and have begun experiencing neck pain, headaches, or stiffness, a professional evaluation may help determine the cause of your symptoms and begin the recovery process.