At a Glance
- Same- or next-day appointments for new patients seen by the first available doctor
- No referral needed
- No upfront payment in most cases. In Washington, PIP covers chiropractic care with no deductible and no copay, if your policy includes PIP.
- You leave your first visit with a written summary of your exam findings and written criteria for when you'll be released from care
- We work with your attorney, or without one. Your care plan is set by your doctor and your exam, never by your claim.
- Serving Vancouver and the Portland metro
The hours after a motor vehicle collision are disorienting. You may not feel seriously hurt. In fact, you may feel relatively fine — and then wake up the next morning unable to turn your head.
That's not unusual. It's biology.
Soft tissue injuries don't always announce themselves at the scene. The inflammation, muscle guarding, and neurological effects of spinal trauma can take 24 to 72 hours — sometimes longer — to fully surface. What you feel right now is not a reliable measure of what happened to your body at the moment of impact. That's why the most important thing you can do after an accident isn't to wait and see. It's to get evaluated.
We're not saying that to generate business. We're saying it because it's true, and because we've seen what happens to patients who wait. Early, appropriate treatment leads to better outcomes. It's that straightforward.
At Cooper Chiropractic, we have treated thousands of motor vehicle accident patients over nearly two decades of practice. We understand these injuries thoroughly — how they present, how they progress, and what it takes to heal them completely.
A Thorough Evaluation First
Before we treat anything, we find out exactly what's going on. That means a detailed history, a comprehensive physical examination, orthopedic testing, and — when indicated — referral for imaging. You'll leave your first appointment knowing what was injured, how significant it is, and what recovery realistically looks like. No guesswork. No vague reassurances.
Who You'll See
Car accident patients at Cooper Chiropractic are seen by three of our chiropractors:
- Dr. Matthew Cooper, co-founder, with twenty-one years of practice
- Dr. Kyle Wilson, with deep expertise in sports medicine and musculoskeletal rehabilitation
- Dr. Robert Braswell ("Dr. B"), who has served the Vancouver chiropractic community for 26 years
Individualized Treatment
Thousands of MVA patients have walked through our doors, and no two have received identical care. Your injuries, your history, your body's response to treatment — all of it shapes what we do. Treatment may include chiropractic manipulation, soft tissue therapies, Class IV Deep Tissue Laser, rehabilitative exercise, and massage therapy, applied in a sequence and frequency that matches where you actually are in your recovery.
We Walk With You Through the Whole Process
Recovery from a car accident isn't a single appointment — it's a journey that can span weeks or months. We'll be with you every step of the way, tracking your progress objectively, adjusting your care plan as you improve, and making sure you reach the fullest recovery possible. If your injuries require care beyond our scope, we'll refer you to the right specialist without hesitation.
We Handle the Complexity So You Don't Have To
Navigating insurance, coordinating with attorneys, and documenting your injuries properly is a process we know well. When you're our patient, we take that burden off your plate. Our clinical documentation is thorough and precise, and we work directly with your providers and legal team to make sure your care — and your case — is handled correctly.
A Note on Timing
Coming in quickly after your accident is about optimizing recovery. Early intervention reduces inflammation before it compounds, addresses spinal dysfunction before it becomes chronic, and gives your body the best possible foundation for healing. The patients who recover most completely are almost always the ones who sought care promptly.
If you've been in an accident — even if you feel okay right now — call or text us at 360-693-3030. We'll get you in quickly, evaluate you honestly, and tell you exactly what we find.
You don't need a referral. In most cases, we can help patients obtain motor vehicle accident treatment without requiring payment at the time of care. When Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits are available, your own automobile insurance may pay covered medical expenses as treatment is provided. If PIP is unavailable or becomes exhausted, other payment arrangements may be available while your injury claim is pending. But more importantly — you deserve to know whether you're actually okay.
Car Accident FAQ
How soon should I see a chiropractor after a car accident?
As soon as you can, even if you feel fine. Soft tissue injuries don't always show up at the scene. We can usually see new patients the same or next day.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can come straight to us.
Will PIP pay for my care?
In Washington, PIP covers chiropractic care as a reasonable and necessary medical expense, with no deductible and no copay. PIP can be declined with a signed waiver, so check with your auto insurer that your policy includes it. If PIP is unavailable or runs out, other payment arrangements may be available while your injury claim is pending. See the insurance plans we accept.
Can you tell me how much PIP I have left?
We can't. Insurance adjusters share remaining PIP benefits only with their own policyholder, so call your adjuster directly.
Do I need an attorney?
That's your decision. We accept attorney referrals and will share records with your attorney when you authorize it, but your treatment is always based on your exam.
What happens at my first visit?
A full history and exam, and you leave with a written summary of what we found. Read more about your first visit.
When should I go to the ER instead?
Call 911 or go to the ER first if you have a headache that gets worse, weakness, numbness or loss of coordination, seizures, or repeated vomiting.
What We Treat
- Whiplash and cervical sprain/strain
- Thoracic and lumbar sprain/strain
- Disc injuries
- Facet syndrome
- Shoulder and rotator cuff injuries
- Headaches and migraines related to cervical trauma
- Dizziness and balance disturbances
- Segmental spinal dysfunction
- Muscle spasm and soft tissue injury throughout the spine and extremities
We are also trained to identify injuries outside our scope — including fractures, serious neurological injuries, and traumatic brain injuries — and will refer you to the appropriate specialist immediately if indicated.