Car Accident Chiropractor in Garland, TX
Smiley Chiropractic is a car accident chiropractor in Garland, TX. Dr. Thanh Pham, DC evaluates and treats whiplash, neck pain, back pain, and soft-tissue injuries after auto accidents — with same-day appointments, help using your PIP coverage, Letters of Protection accepted, and detailed records for your claim.
- Same dayinjury evaluations
- PIPwe check your coverage
- LOPsaccepted with your attorney
- 4.741 Google reviews
Should You See a Chiropractor After a Car Accident?
Yes — if you have neck pain, back pain, headaches, or stiffness after a crash, a car accident chiropractor can find and treat injuries that often don't show up right away. See a chiropractor within the first few days, after the ER has ruled out emergencies. Early care usually means a faster recovery and better documentation for your claim.
Many car accident injuries aren't obvious at first. Whiplash, herniated discs, nerve compression, and joint injuries can take hours or days to cause symptoms. At Smiley Chiropractic, Dr. Pham performs a thorough exam to find hidden injuries and builds a personalized plan to relieve pain, restore mobility, and get you back to your normal routine.
- Same-day appointments — call today, be seen today
- We check your PIP and MedPay coverage and handle the paperwork
- Letters of Protection accepted; we work directly with your attorney
- Hablamos español · Nói tiếng Việt
What to Do After a Car Accident in Garland
Keep these 8 steps in mind if you're in a crash on I-635, I-30, the George Bush Turnpike, or any Garland street.
Get emergency care if you need it
Go to the ER or call 911 for severe pain, head injury, confusion, numbness, weakness, or trouble breathing. The hospital can rule out fractures and life-threatening injuries.
Gather information at the scene
Get the other driver's name, phone, insurance, and plate number, plus photos of the vehicles and any witnesses' contact information.
Report the crash
A police report is helpful for your claim, though it isn't required to have a case. Ask how to get a copy.
Get evaluated within the first few days
Even if you feel fine, many injuries show up 24–72 hours later. Waiting usually means a longer recovery and makes injuries harder to document.
Check your PIP and MedPay coverage
Texas auto policies include Personal Injury Protection unless you rejected it in writing, and it pays regardless of fault. We can check your coverage for you.
Don't settle too early
Avoid signing a settlement before your injuries have been evaluated and treated. Once you settle, future care usually comes out of your own pocket.
Decide whether you want an attorney
Many patients handle claims themselves; others choose to hire a personal injury attorney. If you have one, we work directly with them.
Follow your treatment plan
Keep your appointments so your recovery — and your records — stay complete from your first visit to your last.
Car Accident Symptoms That Can Show Up Later
Adrenaline masks pain right after a crash. Watch for these symptoms over the next few days — and know when to go straight to the ER.
| Symptom | What it may mean | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Neck pain or stiffness | Whiplash (neck sprain/strain) | Get evaluated in the next few days |
| Headache at the base of the skull | Whiplash or neck joint irritation | Get evaluated; go to the ER if severe or worsening |
| Confusion, memory problems, or vomiting | Possible concussion or brain injury | Go to the ER now |
| Tingling or numbness in arms or hands | Irritated nerve in the neck | Get evaluated promptly; ER if weakness develops |
| Lower back pain or pain down the leg | Back sprain, disc injury, or sciatica | Get evaluated in the next few days |
| Shoulder or upper-back pain | Muscle strain or seat-belt injury | Get evaluated in the next few days |
| Jaw pain or clicking | Jaw (TMJ) strain from whiplash | Mention it at your exam |
The 4 Phases of a Whiplash Injury
In a rear-end collision, all four phases happen in a fraction of a second. Each one puts a different force on the vertebrae, discs, nerves, muscles, and ligaments of your neck.
Phase 1 — Impact
Your car is pushed forward out from under you. Your seat drives your mid-back forward while your head stays put, compressing the joints and discs in your neck.
Phase 2 — Rebound
Your torso accelerates forward while your head is still moving backward. The neck bends into an abnormal S-shape — a shearing force behind many joint, disc, and nerve injuries.
Phase 3 — Forward motion
Your head and neck now whip forward as the car slows down. If you brake, the car slows even faster and the forward bend gets worse.
Phase 4 — Deceleration
Your seat belt stops your torso, but your head keeps going. The neck bends sharply forward, straining muscles and ligaments and stressing the discs. The brain can also move inside the skull, causing a concussion.
Learn how your neck and back are built on our Spinal Column page.
Common Car Accident Injuries We Treat
Whiplash
Neck sprain and strain from the head snapping forward and back. Treated with gentle adjustments, soft-tissue therapy, and rehab.
Herniated & Bulging Discs
Disc injuries in the neck or lower back that can press on nerves. Treated with flexion-distraction and traction.
Back Sprains & Strains
Injured muscles and ligaments in the mid or lower back from twisting and seat-belt forces.
Headaches
Post-accident headaches that start in the neck. We rule out concussion warning signs first.
Pinched Nerves & Sciatica
Tingling, numbness, or shooting pain into the arms or legs from irritated nerve roots.
Shoulder & Soft-Tissue Injuries
Seat-belt and bracing injuries to the shoulders, chest wall, and upper back.
How to Pay for Chiropractic Care After a Car Accident in Texas
Most car accident patients pay little or nothing up front. Here are the ways your care can be covered — our team will check which apply to you.
| Coverage | How it works | Does fault matter? |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | Part of your own auto policy unless you rejected it in writing; covers medical bills and some lost wages for you and your passengers, up to your limit ($2,500 minimum). | No — pays regardless of fault |
| Medical Payments (MedPay) | Optional coverage on your auto policy that pays medical bills for you and your passengers. | No |
| At-fault driver's insurance | If another driver caused the crash, their liability coverage may pay for your care, usually when your claim settles. | Yes |
| Letter of Protection (LOP) | If you have a personal injury attorney, an LOP lets you start treatment now with the bill paid from your settlement. | Usually used when the other driver was at fault |
| Health insurance | Can cover care, but you may owe deductibles and co-pays, and your health plan may seek reimbursement from an accident settlement. | No |
What Is PIP in Texas?
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is no-fault coverage on your own auto policy. Texas law requires it to be included in every auto policy unless you reject it in writing, and the required coverage is $2,500 per person. It pays medical bills and some lost wages for you and your passengers — even if you caused the accident. Many drivers don't realize they have it.
Why Use PIP First?
The at-fault driver's insurance usually doesn't pay until your claim settles, which can take months. PIP is your own coverage, so it can pay sooner and you can start care right away. Using health insurance instead can mean deductibles, co-pays, and a reimbursement claim against your settlement. Ask your agent how a claim affects your policy.
How Car Accident Treatment Works at Smiley Chiropractic
- 1
Same-Day Exam
Accident history, physical exam, and X-rays if needed to find every injury.
- 2
Coverage Check
We verify PIP, MedPay, or LOP details and handle the paperwork.
- 3
Treatment
Adjustments, flexion-distraction, traction, and therapy tailored to your injuries.
- 4
Records & Recovery
Progress exams, detailed notes, and rehab until you're back to normal.
★★★★★"I went to Dr. Pham after a car accident and my lower back was in serious pain. He helped it heal, and I have been going back ever since. He is very thorough, and knows what he's doing. The staff is also very nice and respectful."
Documentation Your Claim Can Rely On
- Initial exam findings and diagnosis
- Treatment notes from every visit
- Progress re-exams and final report
- Itemized billing for your insurer or attorney
Meet Dr. Thanh Pham, DC
Dr. Thanh Pham, DC provides specialized care as a car accident chiropractor in Garland, TX, helping patients recover from auto accident injuries such as whiplash, back pain, neck pain, and soft-tissue damage. His care focuses on restoring proper spinal alignment, reducing inflammation, and supporting the body's natural healing after the trauma of a collision.
As a personal injury chiropractor serving Garland, Mesquite, Richardson, and surrounding Dallas communities, Dr. Pham regularly treats patients involved in car accidents, personal injury cases, and work-related injuries — providing effective chiropractic treatment and proper medical documentation when it's needed.
Quiropráctico para Accidentes de Auto en Garland, TX
¿Tuvo un accidente de carro? Muchas lesiones como el latigazo cervical (whiplash) no se sienten de inmediato. El Dr. Thanh Pham lo evalúa el mismo día, revisa su cobertura PIP y prepara la documentación médica para su caso. Aceptamos cartas de protección (LOP) y trabajamos con su abogado.
Llame al (972) 494-5155Car Accident Chiropractor FAQs
Should I see a chiropractor after a car accident?
Yes. A chiropractor can evaluate and treat common car accident injuries such as whiplash, neck pain, back pain, headaches, and soft-tissue strain. Go to the emergency room first if you have severe pain, a head injury, numbness, or weakness.
How soon after a car accident should I see a chiropractor?
As soon as possible, ideally within the first few days. Many injuries don't cause symptoms right away, and waiting usually means a longer recovery and makes injuries harder to document for an insurance claim.
Why does my neck hurt days after a car accident?
Adrenaline masks pain right after a crash, and inflammation in injured muscles, ligaments, and joints builds over the next 24 to 72 hours. That's why whiplash symptoms often show up or get worse a day or two later.
Who pays for chiropractic care after a car accident in Texas?
Care may be paid by your Personal Injury Protection (PIP), MedPay, the at-fault driver's insurance, a Letter of Protection through your attorney, or health insurance. Smiley Chiropractic checks your coverage and explains your options before treatment.
Does PIP cover chiropractic care in Texas?
PIP covers reasonable and necessary medical expenses from a car accident, which can include chiropractic care, up to your policy limit. Texas auto policies include at least $2,500 in PIP unless you rejected it in writing, and it pays regardless of who caused the accident.
Can I use PIP if the accident was my fault?
Yes. PIP is no-fault coverage on your own policy, so it can pay your medical bills even if you caused the accident.
Do I need a lawyer to see a car accident chiropractor?
No. You can see Dr. Pham with or without an attorney. If you have one, we coordinate with them and accept Letters of Protection.
Do I need a police report to get treatment?
No. A police report is helpful for your insurance claim, but you don't need one to be evaluated or treated.
How long does car accident chiropractic treatment take?
It depends on the injury. Mild soft-tissue injuries may improve in a few weeks, while disc injuries or severe whiplash can take longer. Dr. Pham re-examines you during care and updates your plan based on your progress.
What should I bring to my first visit after a car accident?
Bring your photo ID, auto insurance information, the claim number if you have one, the police report if available, your attorney's contact information if you have one, and a list of your symptoms and medications.
Office Hours & Location
Smiley Chiropractic
4431 W Walnut St, Suite C
Garland, TX 75042
(972) 494-5155
| Monday | 8:30am – 6:00pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30am – 6:00pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am – 6:00pm |
| Thursday | 10:00am – 12:00pm |
| Friday | 8:30am – 6:00pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Sources
- Texas Insurance Code §1952.152 — Personal Injury Protection coverage required — Texas Legislature
- Texas Insurance Code §1952.153 — PIP coverage amount ($2,500) — Texas Legislature
- Auto Insurance Guide — Texas Department of Insurance
Medically reviewed by Dr. Thanh Pham, DC, Texas-licensed chiropractor · Last updated . This page is general information, not medical or legal advice. Every injury is unique, and Dr. Pham must examine you before making recommendations. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Request a Free Consultation
Hurt in an accident or dealing with neck or back pain? Tell us what happened and our Garland team will call you to schedule — often the same day. Prefer to talk now? Call (972) 494-5155.
What your free consultation includes
A one-on-one conversation with Dr. Pham about your symptoms, injury, or accident, and his recommendation on whether chiropractic care is right for you. Examinations, X-rays, and treatment are not part of the free consultation; we'll explain any costs before additional services are performed.