What Do Doctors Check After a Car Accident?
Inside the Full Medical Evaluation Process After a Collision
After a car crash—whether it’s a minor fender bender or a high-impact collision—it’s essential to seek medical attention immediately. Even if you “feel fine,” you may be suffering from injuries that won’t show symptoms for hours or even days. This leads many accident victims to ask, “What do doctors check after a car accident?”
At Comprehensive Accident and Injury Center, we specialize in post-collision evaluations and offer a thorough, head-to-toe assessment designed to uncover both obvious and hidden injuries. Below is a detailed look at what our highly trained car accident doctors check for—and why choosing a qualified provider makes all the difference in your recovery.
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What Do Doctors Check After a Car Accident?
A Detailed List of Post-Accident Medical Evaluations
1. Initial Triage and Vital Signs
Doctors will first assess:
- Blood pressure
- Heart rate and rhythm
- Breathing rate and oxygen levels
- Skin temperature and color
- Pupil dilation and response
These vital signs can point to serious, systemic issues like internal bleeding, shock, or respiratory distress.
2. Head-to-Toe Physical Examination
This includes:
- Visual and manual inspection for bruising, swelling, or deformities
- Range-of-motion testing for joints and muscles
- Palpation to detect tenderness, fractures, or dislocations
Doctors also look for telltale signs of common car accident injuries such as whiplash, back strain, sprains, or bruised ribs.
3. Neurological Screening
A crucial part of post-accident evaluations, this screening checks for:
- Coordination and balance
- Reflexes and strength
- Sensory perception (touch, pain, temperature)
- Mental alertness, focus, and memory
These exams help uncover concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), or nerve damage, all of which may initially present with subtle or delayed symptoms.
4. Spinal and Musculoskeletal Assessment
Because auto collisions commonly result in back and neck trauma, we assess:
- Cervical (neck), thoracic (mid-back), and lumbar (lower back) alignment
- Signs of disc herniation or spinal compression
- Vertebral tenderness or instability
- Joint range of motion and muscle tightness
Whiplash is one of the most frequent injuries from rear-end accidents and can cause chronic pain if left untreated. Our clinicians are skilled at diagnosing this soft-tissue injury early and accurately.
5. Orthopedic Evaluation
Our team evaluates:
- Joint function and mobility
- Ligament and tendon integrity
- Fractures or bone misalignments
- Muscle imbalances and inflammation
Even low-speed collisions can lead to orthopedic issues like knee trauma, shoulder impingement, or hip misalignment due to seatbelt and airbag impact.
6. Soft Tissue Injury Review
Soft tissue injuries often don't appear on X-rays, but they can be debilitating. We assess for:
- Muscle strains
- Tendon injuries
- Ligament sprains
- Deep tissue bruising
Pain, stiffness, and swelling are common, and these injuries may require manual therapy, chiropractic care, or physical rehabilitation for full recovery.
7. Evaluation for Internal Injuries
While Comprehensive Accident and Injury Center does not offer imaging services like MRIs or CT scans, our experienced providers conduct careful examinations to determine whether you may need further testing elsewhere. Signs of internal injury may include:
- Abdominal tenderness
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain or tightness
- Dizziness or fainting
If we suspect internal trauma, we will refer you to the appropriate facility for advanced imaging or emergency care.
8. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Concussion Screening
Brain injuries are often overlooked after an accident. Our team checks for:
- Loss of consciousness (even brief)
- Nausea or vomiting
- Disorientation or confusion
- Memory loss
- Sensitivity to light or noise
These symptoms can indicate a concussion or TBI, which should be treated promptly to avoid long-term cognitive problems. We provide screening and appropriate referrals if more advanced care is needed.
9. Mental Health and Psychological Status
While we do not provide psychological services, our team is trained to recognize signs of:
- Acute stress disorder
- PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
- Depression or anxiety triggered by trauma
If psychological support is needed, we will refer you to a mental health provider for counseling or therapy.
Why Choosing the Right Accident Doctor Matters
Most urgent care centers and ERs only treat immediate symptoms like broken bones or lacerations. But what about hidden injuries that can lead to long-term pain and dysfunction?
At Comprehensive Accident and Injury Center, our doctors are specialists in post-collision care. We understand the complex forces involved in a car accident and how they affect the body. We go beyond the surface to uncover:
- Micro-tears in muscles and ligaments
- Whiplash injuries that don’t show up on X-rays
- Concussions that mimic fatigue or brain fog
- Spinal misalignments causing chronic back or neck pain
Our holistic, evidence-based approach ensures nothing gets missed—and that your recovery is not only fast, but complete.
Comprehensive Treatment for Car Accident Victims
While we don’t offer MRIs, CT scans, or psychological treatment at our facility, we do provide complete physical assessments and evidence-based treatment protocols for a wide range of accident-related injuries. Services at Comprehensive Accident and Injury Center include:
Chiropractic care for spinal injuries
Soft tissue therapy and manual manipulation
Physical rehabilitation and strength restoration
Injury documentation for legal and insurance purposes
Medical referrals when advanced imaging or psychological care is needed
Don’t Wait—Get the Complete Care You Deserve
If you’ve been in an auto accident—even a minor one—delaying care can make injuries worse. The sooner you’re evaluated, the sooner we can start your path to healing. At Comprehensive Accident and Injury Center, we specialize in treating car accident injuries with a focus on thorough diagnosis, personalized care, and long-term wellness.
Call today to schedule your post-accident evaluation.
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