NECK INJURIES · LIGHTHOUSE POINT, FL
Neck Injuries After a Car Accident: Examined and Treated in 1 Visit
- 30 years in practice
- FL DC license CH5281
- 5.0 on Google (8 reviews)
- Florida PIP accepted
- Phone answered 24/7
- Saturday appointments by request
- Se habla español
Symptoms usually show up: 1 to 3 days
Last updated September 2026 · Reviewed by Dr. Carol McNamara-Krauss, DC
A neck injury from a car accident is damage to the muscles, ligaments, discs, facet joints, or nerves of the cervical spine caused by the forces of a collision. Whiplash is the best known type, but the neck can also suffer a disc herniation, a facet joint sprain, or a nerve root injury. Each is examined and treated differently, so we do not treat "neck pain" as one diagnosis.
Neck symptoms typically appear 1 to 3 days after the crash. That delay leads people to skip the exam and hope it passes. In Florida the 14-day PIP rule requires initial treatment within 14 days of the accident or the medical benefit is lost. The exam is what starts the clock in your favor.
How neck injuries happen in a collision
The cervical spine carries the weight of the head on seven small vertebrae, and it has more motion than any other part of the spine. In a crash that motion becomes the problem. A rear-end impact whips the head back and then forward. A side impact bends the neck sideways, compressing the facet joints on one side while stretching the other. A front-end crash throws the head forward and loads the discs.
Facet joints are the most common source of lasting neck pain after a crash. Discs fail when compression and shear are high enough. Nerve roots get pinched when a disc bulges or swelling narrows the opening the nerve passes through. These injuries are common on I-95 and the Turnpike, where speed differences at merge points make rear-end hits frequent.
How we evaluate a neck injury
Dr. Carol McNamara-Krauss is a Florida-licensed chiropractic physician (DC), license CH5281. Her exam starts with the crash itself: your position, head rotation at impact, headrest height, and whether you braced. She then performs orthopedic tests for the facet joints, discs, and ligaments, neurological testing of the arms, and cervical range-of-motion measurement in six directions. The results are recorded the same day.
An X-ray is ordered when there is tenderness over the spinous processes, a high-speed impact, or concern about stability. An MRI is ordered for arm symptoms or when the exam points to a disc. We do not adjust a neck until fracture and instability are ruled out. Referrals go through our imaging and specialist referral process.
How we treat neck injuries
The acute phase is about inflammation and spasm. Class IV laser therapy on the LightForce system delivers energy to the deep cervical tissue to reduce swelling. Electrical stimulation releases the muscle guarding that holds the head in one position. Therapeutic ultrasound is used at the base of the neck and upper trapezius.
Once motion starts to return, Dr. McNamara-Krauss uses chiropractic adjustments to restore movement to the facet joints. Disc injuries and nerve root symptoms are treated with cervical spinal decompression on the Antalgic-Trac system. Massage therapy with Dawn Marie Teufel, LMT, works the muscles that have been protecting the joint. Shockwave is never used on the spine.
Recovery and what gets documented
Strains and facet sprains generally improve over several weeks. Disc injuries with arm symptoms take longer and are tracked closely: arm numbness that is improving is a good sign, and arm weakness that is getting worse is a referral. We re-measure range of motion at set intervals against the day-one baseline.
Your file includes the initial orthopedic and neurological findings, range-of-motion measurements, imaging results, treatment notes from every visit, and pain and function reports, in a proprietary case documentation system built in consultation with personal injury attorneys. Narrative reports are written on request, and the full record is sent to your attorney as one PDF. See medical documentation for attorneys.
When the emergency room or a specialist comes first
Go to the emergency room first if you have neck pain with tenderness directly over the bones, numbness or weakness in both arms or in the legs, difficulty walking, loss of bladder or bowel control, severe headache, or any loss of consciousness. Those need a CT scan tonight. Broward Health North in Deerfield Beach is the nearest ER to our office, and Broward Health Imperial Point serves the Fort Lauderdale side.
Dr. Carol McNamara-Krauss is a Florida-licensed chiropractic physician (DC), license CH5281. Medical content on this page is reviewed by Dr. McNamara-Krauss. It is general information, not legal advice.
30
Years in practice
Dr. Carol McNamara-Krauss, DC, chiropractic physician, FL license CH5281.
8
Treatments in one office
Chiropractic Adjustments · Spinal Decompression (Antalgic-Trac) · Class IV Laser Therapy (LightForce Class IV) · Shockwave Therapy (Chattanooga ESWT) · Massage Therapy · Therapeutic Ultrasound (Chattanooga) · Electrical Stimulation (Chattanooga) · Nutritional Counseling
For attorneys and case managers
Where to place a client for treatment in North Broward
- · Attorney-patient case coordinator: Janelle Deal, 30 years in Florida PIP claims
- · Same-day exam with orthopedic and neurological testing, documented that day
- · Visit notes on every encounter, narrative reports on request, one PDF
- · EMC referral handled so the full $10,000 PIP benefit stays available
- · English and Spanish, phone answered 24/7
Neck Injuries after a car accident: questions
What is the difference between whiplash and a neck injury?
Whiplash is one specific type of neck injury: the strain and sprain pattern caused by the head whipping back and forth. Neck injuries as a group also include disc herniations, facet joint sprains, nerve root compression, and ligament tears. The exam sorts out which one you have, because the treatment for a facet sprain is not the same as for a disc.
Is it safe to have my neck adjusted after a car accident?
Adjustments are safe once fracture and instability have been ruled out by the exam and, when indicated, by X-ray. Dr. McNamara-Krauss does not adjust a neck she has not cleared. In the acute phase she uses laser, electrical stimulation, and low-force techniques, and moves to standard adjustments as the joint tolerates it.
Why does my arm tingle after a neck injury?
Arm tingling after a crash usually means a nerve root in the neck is being irritated, most often by a bulging disc or swelling in the joint beside it. The tingling follows the path of that nerve into the shoulder, arm, or specific fingers. Tingling that turns into weakness or dropping things is a reason for an MRI referral.
How long do I have to see a doctor for a neck injury in Florida?
Florida PIP requires initial treatment within 14 days of the crash for the medical benefit to apply. The clock starts on the day of the accident, not the day your neck starts to hurt. Call (754) 342-6479 as soon as you notice symptoms; we answer 24/7. This is general information, not legal advice.
What does treatment for a neck injury cost under PIP?
PIP pays 80% of reasonable medical expenses up to $10,000 if initial treatment begins within 14 days of the crash, and chiropractic care is covered. Without an emergency medical condition determination the benefit is limited to $2,500. That determination is made by an MD, DO, PA or APRN, not by this office. This is general information, not legal advice.
When is this office not the right place for a neck injury?
A neck injury with a suspected fracture, spinal cord signs, or a head injury with loss of consciousness needs the emergency room first. Weakness in both arms or the legs, trouble walking, and loss of bladder control are emergencies. Go to Broward Health North or call 911. We refer to a neurologist or spine surgeon when the case is beyond conservative care.
Injured this week? The 14-day clock is running.
Call (754) 342-6479, any hour, or send the short form. You will see Dr. McNamara-Krauss, not a rotating provider, and your first treatment happens the same visit.
Phone answered 24/7 · Florida PIP accepted · Saturdays by request · Se habla español
Attorney or case manager? Refer a client and Janelle Deal will call your office.
Office
3320 N Federal Hwy #107, Lighthouse Point, FL 33064
On US-1 between Copans Road and Sample Road. Parking in front.
Appointment hours
Mon, Wed, Fri 8am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm · Tue 2pm to 6pm · Saturday by request · Front desk Mon to Fri 8am to 6pm
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