After an auto accident, What are the consequences of delaying needed care?

I have had many cases over the years of patients who did not get immediate care following their auto accident. Here is one case that is fairly common.

27 year old woman with increasing chronic hip and low back pain-

This person arrived in our office approximately 2 ½ years after a rollover accident. For about 6 months following the accident she had occasional moderate pain in her hips and low back that she dismissed as minor. She then went about 12 months without pain. The pain returned and happened more and more often. Then the severity of the pain increased slowly to a 5/10. It was getting difficult for her to sleep well. Pain was now every day. That is finally when she arrived here for care. An exam was performed and showed limited mobility and pain in specific movements. X rays revealed spinal misalignment, disc damage, and nerve compression. She had major problems.

The delay in care likely contributed to the disc damage and nearly a year of poor health. The disc damage is permanent. She also had to pay for her care out of pocket because it was too late to file a claim.

Her course of chiropractic care, along with active and passive rehab care dramatically reduced her symptoms. So it is never too late. However if she would have been examined and treated when her problems were minor they would have stayed minor and resolved much quicker.