For Car Accident Patients in Petaluma

You're not broken.
You just need the right plan.

After a car accident, you need more than pain relief. You need a precise diagnosis, a guided recovery, and documentation that protects your case. That is exactly what we do.

1,000+
Patients Treated
QME
Qualified Medical Evaluator
$0
Upfront Cost
100%
Lien-Based

What You Need to Know

7 mistakes people make after a car accident

Most people don't realize how early decisions shape their health and their case. Avoid these common errors. Not sure where to start? Read our guide on what to do after a car accident.

1

Waiting too long to get examined

Adrenaline masks pain. Many injuries don't show symptoms for days or weeks. Insurance companies use delays in treatment to argue your injuries aren't serious. Get examined within 72 hours.

2
🏥

Going to the ER and thinking that's enough

The ER rules out life-threatening injuries. They do not diagnose soft tissue damage like whiplash, ligament instability, or mild TBI. An ER visit is the starting line, not the finish line.

3
📋

Not documenting everything

If it is not in your medical records, it did not happen. Pain levels, symptoms, limitations on daily activity, sleep disruptions, emotional changes. All of it needs to be documented from day one.

4
💰

Accepting a quick settlement

Insurance companies want to close your case fast and cheap. A quick settlement might not cover the care you actually need. Don't sign anything until you understand the full scope of your injuries.

5
🩺

Seeing a doctor who doesn't understand PI

Your family doctor might be great, but personal injury requires specific documentation, causation language, and medicolegal understanding. Without it, even real injuries can look questionable to an adjuster.

6
🛏️

Resting instead of doing rehab

Rest feels right but slows healing. Injured tissues need progressive, guided loading to remodel properly. Prolonged rest leads to deconditioning, chronic pain, and worse outcomes. Movement is medicine.

Don't let these mistakes cost you. Get started with the right provider from day one.

Book Your Evaluation →

Your First Visit

What to expect when you walk in

Your first appointment takes about 60 minutes. Here is exactly what happens, step by step.

  • 📝

    Accident history & intake

    We gather every detail about the collision, your symptoms since, and how your daily life has been affected. This becomes the foundation of your medical record.

  • 🔍

    Comprehensive examination

    Orthopedic testing, neurological assessment including cranial nerves, range of motion measurements, and functional capacity evaluation. We check everything most providers skip.

  • 📊

    Diagnosis & treatment plan

    You will know exactly what is injured, why it matters, how we plan to treat it, and what your recovery timeline looks like. No guesswork.

  • 📄

    Documentation for your case

    We begin building defensible records from the first visit. Causation language, objective findings, and measurable baselines are all documented.

  • 🤝

    Lien paperwork & scheduling

    We handle the lien-based care paperwork and coordinate with your attorney. You pay nothing out of pocket. We schedule your treatment sessions and get started.

Patient consultation with Dr. Lloyd

Recovery Timeline

Your path to full recovery

Every injury is different, but here is a typical recovery arc for car accident patients in our care.

Week 1

Evaluation & baseline documentation

Comprehensive exam, imaging review, and initial diagnosis. We establish objective baselines for pain, range of motion, and function. Treatment begins immediately.

Weeks 2 – 4

Acute care & pain reduction

Targeted manual therapy, gentle mobilization, and initial movement protocols. Focus is on reducing inflammation, restoring basic range of motion, and managing pain without over-reliance on medication.

Weeks 4 – 8

Active rehabilitation begins

Progressive resistance training, vibration therapy, and functional exercises. We rebuild strength, stability, and coordination through guided movement. Every session is measured and documented.

Weeks 8 – 12

Advanced rehabilitation & conditioning

Higher-level functional exercises, return-to-activity preparation, and ongoing objective testing. We push toward maximum medical improvement with measurable benchmarks at each visit.

Week 12+

Maximum medical improvement & final report

When you have reached your best possible outcome, we complete final objective testing, calculate permanent impairment ratings if warranted, and deliver a comprehensive report for your attorney and your case.

Our Philosophy

Movement is medicine

The research is clear: injured tissues heal better with guided, progressive loading than with rest alone. Here is why our approach works.

  • Myth

    "Rest is the best medicine for injuries."

    Fact

    Prolonged rest leads to muscle atrophy, joint stiffness, and chronic pain. Controlled, progressive movement stimulates tissue repair and prevents deconditioning.

  • Myth

    "If it hurts, stop doing it."

    Fact

    Pain is an important signal, but avoiding all movement creates a cycle of fear, inactivity, and worsening function. Guided rehab teaches you to move safely within appropriate thresholds.

  • Myth

    "Chiropractic is just cracking your back."

    Fact

    Modern chiropractic rehabilitation includes progressive resistance, neuromuscular retraining, vibration therapy, and functional movement assessment. Spinal manipulation is one tool among many.

Active rehabilitation in clinic
🧬

Tissue Remodeling

Controlled loading stimulates collagen alignment and tissue repair along functional lines of force. Your body rebuilds stronger when guided properly.

🧠

Neuroplastic Recovery

Movement retrains disrupted motor patterns and restores proprioceptive accuracy. Your nervous system needs active input to rewire after injury.

📈

Measurable Outcomes

Every session produces objective data: range of motion, strength levels, functional capacity. Your progress is tracked and documented for your records and your case.

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about treatment, cost, insurance, and what to expect.

Nothing. We work on a lien basis, which means we provide your care now and are paid from your personal injury settlement at the end of your case. You pay zero dollars upfront, and you never receive a bill during treatment.
A medical lien is a legal agreement that allows you to receive treatment now and pay from your settlement later. Your attorney, you, and our office all sign the lien. When your case resolves, our fees are paid from the settlement proceeds. This ensures you can get the care you need without financial barriers. Learn more about how lien-based care works.
No. You can book an appointment directly. However, if you have an attorney, we will coordinate with them from day one. If you do not have an attorney yet, we can help connect you with experienced personal injury attorneys in the area.
Personal injury cases are typically handled through the at-fault party's insurance, not your health insurance. Working on a lien ensures your treatment is connected directly to your case and documented specifically for your claim. This is usually the best approach for both your recovery and your legal case. If you have MedPay (Medical Payments Coverage) on your own auto policy, that may be another option — it covers chiropractic care regardless of fault, with no deductible and no copay. Learn more about using MedPay here.
Most car accident patients reach maximum medical improvement in 8 to 16 weeks, depending on the severity of their injuries. Some cases take longer. We never stop treatment before you have reached your best possible outcome. Your treatment plan is personalized and adjusted as you progress.
As soon as possible, ideally within 72 hours. Delays in treatment create gaps in your medical record that insurance companies use to argue your injuries are not serious. Even if you have already been to the ER, you should get a thorough evaluation from a personal injury specialist.
A Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) is a state-certified designation for doctors who are trained to provide independent medical evaluations. QME opinions carry significant weight with insurance companies, adjusters, and in court. Dr. Lloyd holds this designation, which means his evaluations and impairment ratings are backed by recognized standards.
Bring your photo ID, any police reports or accident documentation, insurance claim numbers, your attorney's contact information (if you have one), and any imaging or medical records from the ER or other providers. If you do not have some of these, that is fine. We can work with what you have.
Yes. Defensible documentation is a core part of what we do. We provide comprehensive injury reports, causation opinions, AMA Guides impairment ratings, and future care recommendations. Every report is written with adjusters, mediators, and courtrooms in mind. Your attorney will have everything they need to build your case.
That is exactly why the evaluation exists. Many injuries are not immediately obvious. A thorough examination can reveal injuries you may not feel yet but that could worsen over time. The evaluation is covered under the lien, so there is no financial risk to you. Better to know than to wonder.

Your recovery starts with one appointment

No upfront cost. No guesswork. Just a clear diagnosis, a recovery plan, and documentation that protects your case.