Nobody plans for a car accident. One moment you’re driving up 127 Street, the next you’re standing on the shoulder trading insurance information with a stranger. And here’s the part most Edmonton drivers get wrong: what you do in the days after a collision matters as much for your health as what happened in the collision itself.
At our North Edmonton clinic we treat motor vehicle accident (MVA) injuries every week — whiplash, back injuries, headaches that show up out of nowhere. This guide covers what we tell every patient who calls after a crash.
The first 24 hours: protect yourself twice
After any collision — even a minor parking-lot bump — there are two things to protect: your health and your claim. They’re connected. Here’s the short version:
- Report the collision. In Edmonton, collisions with injury or damage over $5,000 must be reported to police. Get the collision report number.
- Exchange information and photograph everything — vehicles, licence plates, the intersection, your own visible injuries.
- Tell your insurance company promptly. In Alberta you typically have limited time to notify your insurer and start an accident benefits claim.
- Get assessed by a professional even if you feel fine. This creates the medical record that connects your injuries to the accident — the single most important document in your claim.
- Keep notes. Sleep problems, headaches, stiffness that shows up on day four — write it down with dates.
Feeling fine? That can change — and it’s normal
The most common thing we hear from MVA patients is some version of “the crash was three weeks ago, and my neck pain started this Tuesday.” That delay surprises people, but it’s textbook. Adrenaline masks pain in the hours after a collision, and the inflammation from soft tissue injuries builds gradually. Whiplash, in particular, can take days or even weeks to fully show itself.
This is exactly why an early assessment matters. A trained chiropractor can find joint restrictions, muscle guarding, and early signs of whiplash before they turn into chronic pain — and document them while the link to your accident is fresh and undeniable.
Yes, Alberta insurance covers your treatment
Here’s the part too many people don’t know: if you were injured in a motor vehicle accident in Alberta, your auto insurance includes accident benefits that cover treatment — regardless of who was at fault. Chiropractic care and massage therapy are both covered under Alberta’s diagnostic and treatment protocols for collision injuries, and you don’t need a doctor’s referral to start.
At Oxford Chiropractic & Wellness we bill your insurer directly, so there’s nothing to pay out of pocket for approved MVA treatment. We also handle the injury documentation your claim needs and communicate with your insurance provider — you focus on getting better, we deal with the paperwork.
What MVA treatment actually looks like
Every plan starts with a thorough assessment. Dr. Fayad reviews how the collision happened, your symptoms, and your health history, then examines the areas under strain — usually the neck, mid-back, and lower back. From there, treatment is built around your specific injuries:
- Gentle chiropractic care for whiplash and joint injuries — including low-force techniques like the Activator Method if you’re nervous about adjustments
- Massage therapy with our Registered Massage Therapists to release guarded, injured muscle — coordinated with your chiropractic care under one roof
- Progress tracking and documentation for your insurer at every stage
- A clear timeline, so you know what recovery should look like week by week
The bottom line
If you’ve been in a collision anywhere in Edmonton — last night or last month — don’t wait for the pain to “work itself out.” Early treatment leads to better recoveries, and your insurance is there to pay for it. Our clinic is at 15152 127 St NW in North Edmonton, with free parking, evening hours, and same-week appointments usually available. Book online, call, or just walk in.