Unfortunately, we never know when we might get into a motor vehicle accident (MVA) in Ballard Seattle. It's a fact that 93% of rear-impact collisions are the striking driver's inattention. So, although you may be driving safely yourself, those around you may not be.

Studies show that there are more than 12 million reported car accidents annually. Roughly 25% of those will be rear-impact collisions and approximately 3 million of those people will be diagnosed with "whiplash" injuries. The term whiplash is used to describe the violent manner in which the occupant of the struck vehicle's head moves backward and forward, as a result of their vehicle being struck from behind.

Rear-impact collisions with a closing velocity of 5 mph, known as (LORSIC) Low-Speed Rear Impact Crashes, can generate between 6-12g of force to the head and neck. A fighter jet pilot experiences up to 9g forces in a vertical pull, to give a relative example. Another example of forces generated to the neck in a 5 mph rear-end collision would be the equivalent of catching a 10-pound sandbag from 2 stories high.

Overcoming Whiplash Injuries in Ballard Seattle WA

Many insurance companies will try to say there is little possibility of major injuries from a crash of such minimal speed, because of the lack of damage to the vehicles. This is mainly due to the fact that most all new cars have bumpers that are designed to withstand 5-8mph crashes. What this means is instead of your vehicle absorbing the force of the striking vehicle, it's you sitting inside your car absorbing the impact, which is mainly to your neck.

Determining whether you have sustained injuries in this type of collusion is difficult, as the onset of the symptoms may take days, weeks or in some cases a month or more. This is why making an appointment to see an upper cervical chiropractor in Ballard Seattle as soon as possible after an accident can be crucial to determining whether an injury occurred and beginning treatment as soon as possible to avoid further soft tissue damage.

At Vitality Specific in Ballard Seattle we will perform a thorough examination to determine if you suffered an injury to your spine and if you have subluxations (vertebra misaligned causing nerve interference, joint dysfunction, and swelling). The doctors at Vitality take a specific series of digital x-rays (X-Ray Series) that allow them to study all the joints in the neck individually and up close. This information is used to determine the exact direction a vertebra has misaligned, and a tailor-designed correction (adjustment) specific to your neck is performed to restore proper alignment and function and relieve nerve pressure. Correcting these subluxations allows your body the best possible opportunity to heal as quickly as possible without any popping, cracking, or twisting of the neck. The adjustment uses less than 10 ft/lbs of force and is hardly felt by the patient.

It's reported that there are roughly 45-50 million Americans suffering from symptoms related to a motor vehicle accident (MVA) that they were improperly treated for or didn't receive treatment for at all. Many of these individuals have suffered from their symptoms for greater than 15 years. The good news is if you do happen to be in or have recently been in a motor vehicle accident you don't have to be one of them. If you live in the Seattle or Puget Sound region contact one of our clinics to schedule a free consultation with one of our doctors to get any questions answered and to see if your case warrants upper cervical chiropractic care. If you live outside our area e-mail or call our office and our staff will be happy to assist you in finding an upper cervical doctor that is nearest you.