The moments after a car accident are a blur. Between exchanging information, calling your insurance company and sorting out the car, your own body often ends up at the bottom of the list. Then the stiff neck, the sore back or the headache shows up, and a new question follows: who do I even call first?
If you were hurt in a crash anywhere in New Castle County, DE, the answer is simpler than most people think. Your first stop should be a clinic that can evaluate your injury and treat it with both chiropractic care and physical therapy under one roof. That is exactly what we do at New Castle Personal Injury Doctor.
You Don't Need a Referral to Get Started
One of the biggest myths about accident care is that you must be sent to a chiropractor or physical therapist by another doctor first. You don't. No referral is needed for your first visit to a chiropractor, and that is especially true after an auto accident in Delaware, where your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is designed to help with your accident-related medical care.
That means you can call us directly, often the same week as your crash, without first waiting on an appointment with a primary care doctor or a specialist. Whether you live in Wilmington, Newark, Bear, Middletown, New Castle, Newport, Elsmere, Claymont, Hockessin or Pike Creek, you can pick up the phone and book your own exam.
Chiropractic and Physical Therapy: There Is No Wall Between Them
Many patients assume they have to choose: chiropractor or physical therapist. In an accident recovery, that choice can slow you down.
- Chiropractic care focuses on restoring joint motion and easing pain in the spine and surrounding areas, which are commonly stressed in a collision.
- Physical therapy focuses on rebuilding strength, flexibility, stability and everyday movement through guided exercises and hands-on treatment.
At our clinic these are not two separate worlds. We handle both, and we use whichever approach, or the combination, that fits your injury. Some patients come to us only for physical therapy and never need an adjustment. Others benefit most from chiropractic care early on and add rehabilitation as they improve. Either way, you start in the same place, with the same team, and one plan built around you.
Curious how the two compare? Read our breakdown of chiropractic vs. physical therapy after a crash, or learn more about our chiropractic services.
Why One Clinic Beats Bouncing Between Offices
After a crash, you already have enough on your plate. Splitting your care between several offices adds avoidable stress. Here is what a single, accident-focused clinic offers:
- One exam, one clear plan. Your injuries are evaluated together instead of in pieces, so nothing gets missed.
- Faster start to treatment. No waiting on referrals or hand-offs between providers.
- Care that adjusts as you heal. If you need more hands-on spinal care this week and more strengthening next week, your plan changes without starting over somewhere new.
- Simpler paperwork. Your visits, notes and progress are kept in one place, which makes it easier to stay organized with your insurance. See our tips on how to document your injuries and treatment after a crash.
- One team that knows your story. You don't have to retell your accident at every appointment.
What We Treat: Recent, Accident-Related Injuries
We focus strictly on acute injuries from recent accidents or falls. We do not treat long-standing chronic conditions. If you were hurt in a collision, common problems we see include:
- Neck pain and whiplash (see how long whiplash can last)
- Lower back pain after a rear-end collision
- Shoulder, hip and knee pain from the impact or bracing
- Headaches, dizziness and neck stiffness
- Muscle strains, sprains and stiffness
You might feel fine right after the crash and notice symptoms days later. That is common, and it is why we encourage an early exam. Learn more in our post on delayed symptoms after a car accident.
How Delaware PIP Fits In
Delaware requires drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection coverage. According to the Delaware Department of Insurance auto insurance guide, PIP pays medical expenses and lost wages for you and your passengers whether or not you caused the accident, with a minimum of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident.
Because PIP is there to help with accident-related care, you don't need to wait on fault to be decided before getting checked out. For a closer look at how this works, read our guide on Delaware PIP insurance after a car accident. Your own policy details and limits matter, so check your coverage with your insurer.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first visit is about understanding exactly how the crash affected your body. We listen to what happened, review your symptoms, examine your movement and pain points, and explain what we find in plain language. From there we build a treatment plan, chiropractic care, physical therapy or both, and talk through next steps.
Want to know more before you come in? See what to expect at your first auto accident injury exam. And if you're weighing where to go right after a crash, our guide to chiropractor vs. urgent care vs. ER after an accident can help. If you have severe symptoms such as heavy bleeding, loss of consciousness, chest pain or trouble breathing, call 911 or go to the ER first.
Don't Wait for the Pain to Get Worse
The sooner an accident injury is evaluated, the sooner you can start moving better and feeling better. You don't need a referral, and you don't need to choose between chiropractic and physical therapy. You just need one call. Hurt in a car accident in New Castle County, DE? You can also learn more about our personal injury care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor after a car accident in Delaware?
No. No referral is needed for your first chiropractic visit, especially after an auto accident. You can call us directly to schedule.
Can I start with physical therapy only?
Yes. Many patients come to us just for physical therapy. We handle both chiropractic care and physical therapy, so you get the right care without being sent elsewhere.
Does PIP insurance cover chiropractic and physical therapy after a crash?
PIP is Delaware's required no-fault coverage for accident-related medical expenses and lost wages. Coverage depends on your policy and limits, so confirm the details with your insurance company. Our team can walk you through the process.
How soon after a car accident should I get checked?
As soon as possible. Symptoms like neck pain, headaches and back pain can appear days after a crash, and an early exam helps catch problems sooner.
Do you treat chronic conditions like arthritis?
No. We strictly treat acute injuries from recent accidents or falls.
Which areas in New Castle County do you serve?
We welcome patients from Wilmington, Newark, Bear, Middletown, New Castle, Newport, Elsmere, Claymont, Hockessin, Pike Creek and surrounding communities.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for a personal medical exam. Medically reviewed by Dr. Shelly McPhatter, New Castle Personal Injury Doctor.