Doctor or Chiropractor After a Car Accident: Who Should You See First?
Who you see first after a car accident depends on how urgent your situation is. If you think you have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to an emergency room first. For non-emergency neck, back or joint pain after a crash in Oregon, you can book a chiropractic visit directly. At ProCare, you don’t need an X-ray or MRI before that first visit. The chiropractor starts with a consultation and physical exam, and refers you out for imaging only if the findings point to a possible fracture, disc injury or nerve problem.
Don’t put it off. ProCare advises starting care as soon as possible after an accident, because some injuries, such as whiplash, may not hurt right away.
This guide is general information about non-emergency care. It is not a diagnosis, medical advice for your situation, or legal advice.
When Should You Call 911 or Go to the ER First?
If you think you have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to an emergency room. Don’t wait for a chiropractic appointment.
Go to the ER or see a medical doctor first if you have any of these after a crash:
- A blow to the head, loss of consciousness, confusion, repeated vomiting or a headache that keeps getting worse
- Severe neck pain, especially with numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms or legs
- Trouble breathing, chest pain or abdominal pain
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- A bone that looks out of place, a limb you can’t move or put weight on, or heavy bleeding
These can be signs of injuries that need emergency imaging or treatment.
Chiropractic care at ProCare is for non-emergency injuries and does not replace an emergency evaluation. ProCare does not take walk-ins, and it does not do X-rays or MRIs in-house. Imaging is done by outside providers on referral.
Going to the ER first doesn’t rule out chiropractic care later. If you’ve already been seen, you can still book a chiropractic exam. Bring any doctor notes, X-rays or MRIs from that visit to your first appointment.
When Can a Chiropractor Be Your First Stop?
If your symptoms are not an emergency, for example neck stiffness, back pain or sore joints after a crash, a chiropractor can be your first stop. You book the visit directly, and the chiropractor decides after the exam whether you need imaging.
What Happens at the First Visit
The first visit takes longer than a regular visit. Staff tell you how much time to plan for when you book. The visit has four steps:
- Consultation. You talk about how you were injured, where it hurts, what makes it better or worse, and your health history.
- Physical exam. Your chiropractor checks your posture, range of motion, muscles and reflexes, along with your spine, joints and nerves.
- Imaging only if needed. If the findings call for it, you get a referral to an outside provider for an X-ray or MRI.
- Your plan. Your chiropractor explains what is causing the pain and sets out a plan. The plan can include adjustments, rehab and massage.
The first visit doesn’t come with any promised result. It is an assessment and a starting plan.
Do You Need an X-Ray, MRI or Doctor’s Note First?
You don’t need an X-ray or MRI before your first ProCare visit, and imaging is not an automatic step. A referral is made when the exam findings point to a possible fracture, disc injury or nerve problem. Which test you get depends on your exam. If you’re referred, ask which test is being ordered and what it is meant to check. Once the results are back, your chiropractor goes over them with you before the treatment plan is made. For more detail, see Do You Need an X-Ray or MRI After a Car Accident in Oregon?
Booking at ProCare asks for your name, phone number, injury type and clinic. A doctor’s note isn’t part of that process. If you already have doctor notes or imaging from an ER or doctor visit, bring them along.
Insurance rules vary. If you’re referred for an MRI, you can ask your insurer whether it needs approval in advance. If you’re unsure whether your policy has other requirements before chiropractic care, ask your insurer directly.
Why You Shouldn’t Wait, Even If You Feel Fine
Feeling fine right after a crash doesn’t mean you weren’t injured. Some injuries, such as whiplash, may not hurt right away. That’s why ProCare advises getting checked as soon as possible.
An early exam also creates a clear record of your injuries. At ProCare, your chiropractor records your symptoms, findings and progress at each visit. That record helps your insurer or attorney understand your injuries and the care you received. To keep it complete:
- Go to your appointments consistently.
- Keep your bills, treatment notes and symptom logs.
Records help, but they do not guarantee claim approval or any particular outcome.
Who Pays? Oregon PIP, Personal Injury Claims and LOPs
Oregon Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is no-fault coverage in your own auto policy, required by law. It pays reasonable and necessary medical expenses, including chiropractic care and the first visit, regardless of who caused the crash.
- Limits: at least $15,000 per person. Some policies carry higher limits.
- Time limit: benefits are usually available for up to two years from the date of the accident. Check your policy to confirm.
- Imaging: diagnostic imaging (X-rays, MRI) is among the care PIP typically covers, but policies differ.
ProCare staff check your coverage before treatment and help with the PIP claim.
Oregon PIP vs. a Personal Injury Claim
| Oregon PIP | Personal injury claim | |
|---|---|---|
| Whose insurance | Your own auto policy | The at-fault driver’s insurance |
| Fault | Pays regardless of fault | Brought against the party at fault |
| What it covers | Reasonable and necessary medical expenses, including chiropractic care | Can include pain and suffering and future medical needs |
| Speed and limits | Pays faster, but amounts are limited | Varies by case; ask your attorney |
Some people use both: PIP during active treatment, and a personal injury claim after treatment ends. Ask your attorney how this applies to you.
Letters of Protection (LOPs)
A letter of protection is an agreement, usually made through your attorney, under which the clinic is paid from your settlement. ProCare accepts LOP cases. LOP terms vary, so talk to your attorney about how an LOP would fit your claim. For details, see Letter of Protection (LOP) for Chiropractic Care in Oregon.
Do You Need a Lawyer to Start Care?
No. You can start care right away, and PIP covers reasonable and necessary care regardless of fault. If you don’t have an attorney, ProCare staff explain how PIP and auto insurance work. If you have one, ProCare works with them and, with your permission, shares records and billing information.
How to Start Care at a ProCare Clinic in Oregon
Walk-ins are not available, so book ahead.
What to Bring to Your First Visit
- Photo ID and your insurance card
- Your claim number, if you have one
- Details of the accident
- A list of your medicines and past injuries
- Any earlier X-rays, MRIs or doctor notes
How to Book
- Open the online booking form and leave your name and phone number.
- Select “Car accident” as the injury type.
- Choose your clinic.
- The clinic calls you back to confirm a time.
Clinic Locations and Hours
All four clinics are open Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM.
| Clinic | Address |
|---|---|
| Portland | 10915 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97216 |
| Keizer | 3785 River Rd N, Keizer, OR 97303 |
| Sherwood | 16771 SW 12th St, Sherwood, OR 97140 |
| Hillsboro | 329 SE 3rd Ave, Hillsboro, OR 97123 |
If your injury isn’t an emergency and you’d like to talk to the team first, call (503) 206-6078. ProCare accepts PIP and auto insurance.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if my Oregon PIP limits run out?
Once your PIP limits are exhausted, you may be able to pursue additional compensation through a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. Discuss your options with an attorney.
Do I need special paperwork for an LOP at my first visit?
ProCare’s first-visit checklist doesn’t include LOP paperwork. If an attorney is handling your case, ask them what the clinic will need for the LOP.
Which types of accidents does ProCare treat?
ProCare treats injuries from car, truck and motorcycle accidents, as well as pedestrian, bicycle and rideshare accidents. It also treats slip and fall injuries and other injuries where another party is at fault.
