Experienced Car Accident & Whiplash Care in Raleigh
Dr. Jeffrey Gerdes has extensive postgraduate training focused specifically on whiplash, spinal trauma, accident injuries, advanced imaging, and forensic documentation. His background allows us to evaluate both the clinical injury and the documentation needs that can accompany an auto accident claim.
Dr. Gerdes holds advanced certification in Whiplash Biomechanics & Injury Traumatology through the Spine Research Institute of San Diego. His training includes whiplash biomechanics, injury risk, spinal and brain trauma, advanced diagnostics, CT and MRI interpretation, crash reconstruction, treatment principles, and forensic documentation.
He has also been recognized by North Carolina courts as an expert witness in chiropractic medicine and has testified in multiple court cases involving chiropractic care.
Common Symptoms After a Car Accident
Many car accident injuries do not show symptoms immediately. It’s common for pain and stiffness to appear hours or even days later.
Common symptoms include:
- Neck pain and stiffness (whiplash)
- Back pain or spinal discomfort
- Headaches or migraines
- Shoulder pain
- Numbness or tingling in arms or legs
- Reduced mobility or stiffness
Some accident-related symptoms can develop gradually. If you develop pain, stiffness, headaches, numbness, tingling, weakness, dizziness, or reduced mobility following a collision, an evaluation can help determine whether an injury may be contributing.
How We Evaluate Auto Accident Injuries
An auto accident evaluation should look beyond where you currently feel pain. We review how the collision occurred, when symptoms began, what movements cause discomfort, and whether there are signs of joint, muscle, disc, or nerve involvement.
Depending on the injury, your evaluation may include your accident and health history; neck and back range of motion; orthopedic and neurological testing; spinal and joint mobility; muscle tenderness and soft tissue findings; numbness, tingling, weakness, or radiating pain; previous injuries; and review of X-rays, MRI findings, or other diagnostic information when appropriate.
If your symptoms or examination findings indicate that another type of medical evaluation is needed, we can recommend the appropriate next step.
Car Accident Injuries We Treat in Raleigh
Our chiropractic clinic treats a wide range of auto accident injuries, including:
- Whiplash and cervical sprain/strain
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Lower and upper back pain
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Soft tissue and muscle injuries
- Sciatica and nerve irritation
- Shoulder pain
- Headaches associated with neck injury
- Joint restriction and reduced mobility
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the injury. An evaluation helps determine which structures may be involved and which treatment options are appropriate.
Car Accident Injury Treatment at Carolina ChiroCare
Treatment after an auto accident is based on your examination findings and the tissues affected. A patient with whiplash and restricted neck movement may require a different approach than someone with a disc injury, sciatica, or soft tissue strain.
Depending on your condition, treatment may include chiropractic adjustments, manual soft tissue therapy, therapeutic exercises, mobility work, Class IV laser therapy, spinal decompression for appropriate disc-related conditions, and home-care recommendations.
We monitor your symptoms and function throughout care and adjust treatment based on your progress.
When Should You See a Chiropractor After a Car Accident?
If you're experiencing pain, stiffness, headaches, numbness, tingling, weakness, dizziness, or difficulty moving after an accident, it is reasonable to be evaluated promptly.
Some symptoms may appear immediately, while others become more noticeable hours or days after a collision. An early examination also creates a clinical record of your symptoms and examination findings following the accident.
Severe headache, loss of consciousness, confusion, significant weakness, difficulty speaking, chest pain, severe abdominal pain, or other emergency symptoms require immediate medical care rather than a chiropractic office visit.
Does Insurance Cover Chiropractic Care After a Car Accident?
Coverage depends on the circumstances of the accident and the insurance policies involved. Depending on your policy and claim, payment may involve Medical Payments coverage (MedPay), health insurance, an applicable auto claim, or another source of coverage.
Our office can help with treatment documentation, billing information, and records related to your care. Because every policy and accident claim is different, coverage should be confirmed individually.
Auto Injury Documentation & Personal Injury Cases
Accurate clinical documentation can be important when an auto accident involves an insurance or personal injury claim. We maintain records of examination findings, symptoms, diagnoses, treatment, functional changes, and patient progress throughout care.
Dr. Gerdes has advanced postgraduate education in forensic documentation, narrative report writing, impairment concepts, depositions, and expert testimony related to whiplash and personal injury cases. He has also served as an expert witness in chiropractic medicine in North Carolina courts.
When authorized by the patient, our office can coordinate appropriate records and billing information with attorneys or insurance representatives.
Meet Dr. Jeffrey Gerdes, Raleigh Car Accident Chiropractor
Jeffrey Gerdes, D.C. has treated auto accident, whiplash, spinal, and soft tissue injuries throughout his chiropractic career. His experience includes working in an urgent-care medical setting, where he gained firsthand exposure to the evaluation and treatment of trauma following automobile accidents.
Dr. Gerdes holds advanced certification in Whiplash Biomechanics & Injury Traumatology through the Spine Research Institute of San Diego and advanced credentials in spinal MRI interpretation. He is also co-author of Understanding Whiplash: A Car Accident Victim's Health Guide.
His training helps guide the evaluation, treatment planning, imaging review, and documentation of patients injured in motor vehicle collisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Schedule a Car Accident Injury Evaluation in Raleigh
If you've developed neck pain, back pain, headaches, stiffness, or other symptoms following a car accident, schedule an evaluation at Carolina ChiroCare & Rehab. We can assess your injuries, explain your findings, and determine what type of treatment may be appropriate.