Mon & Wed 8:30AM–6PM  ·  Tue 2–6PM  ·  Fri 8AM–12PM 10179 Eastern Shore Dr, Suite 102 · Spanish Fort, AL
(251) 625-4777
Just in an accident? Pain may not appear for 24–72 hours. Get evaluated today — we bill auto insurance directly. Call Now: (251) 625-4777
Home Services Auto Injuries
Spanish Fort & Daphne Auto Accident Specialist

Been in a Car Accident?
Don't Wait to Get Help.

Injuries from car accidents often don't appear right away. Adrenaline masks pain — and untreated injuries can become chronic, life-limiting conditions. Dr. Meredith Addess specializes in diagnosing and treating the full range of auto accident injuries before they become permanent.

Call (251) 625-4777 Now Schedule Online
$0 Out-of-Pocket for Most PatientsWe bill your auto insurance directly — no upfront costs, no surprises.
Act quickly — the sooner you're evaluated, the better your outcome and your insurance claim.
72h
Window for hidden injuriesSymptoms from whiplash and soft tissue damage can take up to 3 days to fully appear.
$0
Out-of-pocket for most patientsWe bill auto insurance directly. Most patients pay nothing out of pocket.
1st
Call us firstSeeing a chiropractor immediately after an accident protects your health and your insurance claim.
Call (251) 625-4777 — We'll Get You In Today Or schedule online →
Why You Can't Wait

What Happens After a Car Accident — Hour by Hour

Most people feel fine right after a collision. That's your body's adrenaline response masking the damage. Here's what's actually happening in the hours and days that follow.

0h
Immediately after the accident
You feel okay — this is normal, and misleading
Adrenaline and shock flood your system and act as natural painkillers. Many patients walk away from serious accidents feeling almost fine. This is your body's emergency response, not a sign you weren't injured.
12h
12 to 24 hours later
Stiffness and soreness begin to appear
As adrenaline fades, inflammation sets in. You start to notice neck stiffness, back soreness, or headaches. Many people dismiss this as "just being sore." These are your first warning signs.
72h
24 to 72 hours later
Full symptoms emerge — nerve and soft tissue damage revealed
This is when the full picture becomes clear. Whiplash, herniated discs, nerve compression, and muscle tears all become apparent. Getting evaluated during this window is critical for both your health and your insurance claim.
Wks
Weeks to months later (if untreated)
Acute injuries become chronic, life-limiting conditions
Untreated auto injuries are one of the most common causes of chronic neck pain, chronic back pain, and long-term nerve damage. What was a treatable acute injury becomes a condition you manage for years. This is completely avoidable with early intervention.
Conditions We Treat

Auto Accident Injuries We Specialize In

Dr. Addess is experienced in diagnosing and treating the full spectrum of injuries that result from car accidents — from the immediately obvious to the hidden ones that take days to surface.

Whiplash
The most common auto injury. The sudden back-and-forth motion of your neck strains and tears muscles and ligaments — often causing pain, stiffness, headaches, and restricted movement for months if untreated.
Neck Pain & Stiffness
Impact forces transmit directly through the cervical spine. Even low-speed collisions can cause significant cervical strain, disc injuries, and facet joint damage that lead to chronic neck pain.
Back Pain & Spinal Injury
The lumbar and thoracic spine absorb tremendous force in a collision. Herniated discs, vertebral misalignment, and soft tissue injuries are common — causing everything from local pain to shooting leg pain and sciatica.
Headaches & Migraines
Post-traumatic headaches are extremely common after car accidents. They're often caused by cervical misalignment or muscle tension in the neck — and they respond exceptionally well to chiropractic treatment.
Shoulder & Arm Pain
Seatbelt injuries, airbag impact, and bracing during a collision commonly cause shoulder injuries, rotator cuff strains, and nerve impingement that radiates pain down the arm.
Nerve Damage & Numbness
Nerve compression from spinal misalignment can cause numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arms, hands, or legs. Early treatment prevents these acute symptoms from becoming permanent nerve damage.
Auto Insurance
We Bill Your Auto Insurance Directly.
You should never have to choose between your health and your finances after an accident. At Malbis Chiropractic, we handle the billing with your auto insurance directly — so most patients pay absolutely nothing out of pocket for their treatment.
Call Us Today Book Online
We bill auto insurance directly
We work with all major auto insurance carriers. You don't handle the paperwork — we do.
Typically $0 out-of-pocket
Most patients with auto insurance coverage pay nothing for their treatment — no copays, no surprise bills.
Documentation for your claim
We provide thorough documentation of all injuries and treatment — essential for protecting your insurance claim.
What to Expect

Your Auto Injury Treatment Process

From your very first call to full recovery, here's exactly what happens when you come to Malbis Chiropractic after an auto accident.

1
Call Us First
Call (251) 625-4777 as soon as possible after your accident. We'll get you scheduled quickly and tell you exactly what to bring.
2
Full Evaluation
Dr. Addess performs a thorough examination — covering your spine, soft tissue, nerve function, and range of motion — to identify all injuries including hidden ones.
3
Personalized Care Plan
We build a treatment plan tailored to your specific injuries — combining chiropractic, physical therapy, laser therapy, and other modalities as needed.
4
Full Recovery
We monitor your progress throughout, adjust your care plan as you heal, and provide all documentation your attorney or insurance company needs.
Common Questions

Auto Injury FAQ

I feel fine after my accident. Do I still need to come in?
Yes — absolutely. This is the most common reason people end up with chronic pain. Adrenaline released during an accident acts as a powerful natural painkiller. You can have significant spinal misalignment, muscle tears, and nerve compression that you simply don't feel yet. Symptoms typically peak between 24 and 72 hours after the accident. Getting evaluated immediately — before symptoms appear — is far better for both your health and your insurance claim.
How does billing auto insurance work?
We handle the insurance billing for you directly. When you come in, bring your auto insurance information and the accident details. Our team contacts your insurance company on your behalf, verifies your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or MedPay coverage, and bills them directly for all treatment. Most patients pay absolutely nothing out of pocket. If you have any questions about your specific coverage, just call us at (251) 625-4777 and we'll help you figure it out.
How soon after an accident should I come in?
The sooner the better — ideally within 24 to 48 hours of your accident. Early evaluation serves two critical purposes: it catches injuries before they worsen and become chronic, and it creates a medical record that's essential for your insurance claim. Delays in seeking treatment are sometimes used by insurance companies to argue that your injuries weren't serious. Protect both your health and your claim by coming in right away.
What if I was in a low-speed or minor accident?
Low-speed collisions — even parking lot fender-benders — can cause significant whiplash and soft tissue injuries. Research shows that injuries can occur at speeds as low as 5 mph. In fact, some studies suggest that low-speed collisions cause more soft tissue injury because the vehicle absorbs less impact and transfers more force directly to the occupants. Never assume the speed of the accident means you weren't injured.
Do I need an attorney before coming in?
No — you don't need an attorney to begin treatment. Come in for your evaluation first. Your health is the priority. If you do choose to work with a personal injury attorney, our thorough documentation of your injuries and treatment will be extremely valuable to your case. We work with many local attorneys and can coordinate with yours if you decide to pursue a claim.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Please bring your auto insurance card and policy information, a valid photo ID, the accident report number if you have one, and any medical records or imaging from an ER visit if applicable. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to complete new patient paperwork, or download it in advance from our website. If you're not sure what to bring, just call us at (251) 625-4777 and we'll walk you through it.
Patient Stories

Patients Who Came to Us After Accidents

★★★★★
I was rear-ended and felt fine the next day, but my wife insisted I go get checked. Dr. Meredith found two misalignments in my neck I had no idea about. Six weeks of treatment and I feel better than I did before the accident. So glad I didn't skip the appointment.
JM
James M.
Spanish Fort, AL · Auto Accident Patient
★★★★★
Dr. Addess and Jim have helped my son during football season as well as the off season. He used to have migraines and that has stopped since receiving treatment from Dr. Meredith. They genuinely care about you as a person, not just a patient.
CW
Chance White
Spanish Fort, AL · Google Review
★★★★★
The insurance billing process was completely handled by their staff — I didn't have to do anything. Came in with serious neck and shoulder pain after my accident and after 8 weeks of treatment I had full range of motion back. Incredible team.
LT
Lisa T.
Daphne, AL · Auto Accident Patient
★★★★★
Hands down the best chiropractic and physical therapy services I've received. Dr. Meredith is as good as they come. They've done wonders for me — I feel like a totally new person after experiencing Malbis Chiropractic.
CD
Chandler DeMouy
Spanish Fort, AL · Google Review

Don't Wait. Call Us Today.

Every hour you wait after an accident increases the risk of your injuries becoming chronic. We'll get you in quickly — and bill your auto insurance directly so it costs you nothing.

Call (251) 625-4777 Schedule Online
Call us now — we prioritize accident patients
(251) 625-4777