Winter Car Accidents in Omaha: What You Need to Know Before the First Snow
Winter in Omaha and Council Bluffs brings beautiful snowfalls and holiday cheer. It also brings black ice, slick intersections, and an unfortunate spike in auto accidents. If you've been in a winter car accident—or want to know what to do if it happens—here's what you need to know.
Why Winter Accidents Are Different
When temperatures drop and roads get slippery, accidents happen differently than they do in dry conditions. You might be driving slower and more carefully, but that doesn't always prevent a crash. Here's why winter accidents deserve special attention:
Lower-speed impacts can still cause serious injuries. Just because you were only going 15 mph on an icy patch doesn't mean you're injury-free. Whiplash, neck strain, and back injuries can happen even in slower collisions—especially when your body tenses up in anticipation of impact.
Delayed symptoms are even more common in cold weather. Adrenaline and cold temperatures can both mask pain. You might feel fine at the scene, get home, warm up, and then realize hours later that your neck is stiff or your back is aching.
Multiple-vehicle pileups create complex injury scenarios. That chain reaction on I-80 or 72nd Street? When multiple impacts happen in quick succession, your body can be jolted in different directions, creating injuries that might not be obvious right away.
The First 24 Hours After a Winter Accident
Here's what you should do immediately after a winter car accident, even if you feel okay:
1. Get Checked Out—As Soon As Possible
We know it's tempting to just go home, take a hot shower, and rest. But seeing a chiropractor as soon as possible is crucial. Injuries like whiplash, soft tissue damage, and spinal misalignments are easier to treat when caught early. Waiting days or weeks can turn a manageable injury into a chronic problem.
We can get you in quickly at Accident Chiro Plus Omaha. Give us a call, and we'll schedule you as soon as possible—even if the roads are still icy.
2. Don't Dismiss "Minor" Aches
That slight stiffness in your neck? The dull ache in your lower back? These aren't just signs of stress or sleeping wrong. They could be early indicators of soft tissue injury. When you brush off these symptoms, they often get worse before they get better.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, soft tissue injuries are the most common type of injury in vehicle accidents, and they often don't show immediate symptoms. Don't wait until you can barely turn your head to seek care.
3. Document Everything
Take photos of your vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Write down what happened while it's fresh in your mind. This documentation can be important for insurance claims—and it helps us understand exactly what happened to your body during the impact.
Common Winter Accident Injuries We See
At our Omaha clinic, these are the injuries we see most often after winter car accidents:
Whiplash and Neck Strain
Black ice doesn't announce itself. When your car suddenly slides or gets rear-ended on slick roads, your head snaps forward and back quickly. This can strain muscles, ligaments, and joints in your neck. Symptoms might not appear for 24-48 hours, but when they do, they can include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and dizziness.
Lower Back Pain
The twisting and bracing that happens during a slide or spin can put tremendous stress on your lower back. Even if you were wearing a seatbelt (which you should be!), the sudden forces can cause muscle strains, herniated discs, or spinal misalignments.
Shoulder and Upper Back Injuries
Gripping the steering wheel tightly during a skid, bracing for impact, or the seatbelt pressure during a collision can all injure your shoulders and upper back. These injuries can limit your range of motion and cause pain that radiates down your arms.
Headaches and Migraines
Post-accident headaches are extremely common and can stem from neck injuries, muscle tension, or even minor concussions. If you're experiencing headaches after a winter accident, don't just take pain relievers and hope they go away—get evaluated.
Why You Shouldn't Wait Until After the Holidays
We get it. November and December are busy. You have Thanksgiving prep, holiday shopping, family gatherings, and year-end work deadlines. The last thing you want to do is add doctor appointments to your list.
But here's the thing: Delaying treatment can turn a temporary injury into a permanent problem. Those "minor" aches you're ignoring now could become chronic pain that affects your quality of life for months or even years.
Plus, when it comes to insurance claims and legal matters, waiting too long to seek treatment can actually hurt your case. Insurance companies may argue that your injuries aren't serious if you didn't seek care immediately. Don't give them that ammunition.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
If you've never been to our clinic before, we want you to know what to expect. There's no mystery here—just thorough, caring attention to your injuries.
Our 10-Point Exam
This isn't a five-minute once-over. We conduct a comprehensive examination that looks for injuries you might not even realize you have. We check your spine alignment, range of motion, muscle tension, reflexes, and more. We're looking for the injuries that might not show up on X-rays or that you might not feel yet.
One-on-One Time
You're not a number in our system. You'll have dedicated time with our team to talk about what happened, what you're feeling, and what concerns you have. We listen because every accident and every patient is different.
Clear Next Steps
After your exam, we'll explain exactly what we found and recommend a treatment plan tailored to your specific injuries. We'll also work directly with your insurance company to handle the paperwork. Most of our patients have little to no out-of-pocket expense.
Working With Insurance After a Winter Accident
One of the biggest sources of stress after an accident is dealing with insurance companies. Here's what you should know:
Don't accept a quick settlement offer before you've been fully examined. Insurance adjusters may contact you within days—or even hours—of your accident with an offer. It might sound tempting to accept it and move on, but you need to know the full extent of your injuries first.
Nebraska law protects you. Nebraska is a fault-based state for auto accidents, which means the at-fault driver's insurance should cover your medical expenses. Understanding your rights is crucial, and we can help guide you through the process. For more information about Nebraska accident law, visit the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles.
We work with your insurance directly. You shouldn't have to battle with insurance companies while you're trying to heal. We handle the billing and paperwork so you can focus on getting better.
Preventing Winter Accidents (Because We'd Rather Not See You This Way)
Of course, the best "treatment" for a winter accident is preventing it in the first place. Here are some tips for staying safe on Omaha's winter roads:
Slow down well before you need to stop or turn. Black ice is invisible until it's too late.
Keep a winter emergency kit in your car (blanket, flashlight, phone charger, snacks).
Increase your following distance. What works in summer doesn't work on snow and ice.
If you start to skid, stay calm. Steer in the direction you want to go and avoid slamming on the brakes.
Make sure your tires have good tread. Bald tires and ice don't mix.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, over 1,300 people are killed and more than 116,800 people are injured in vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement annually. Don't become a statistic—drive carefully and know what to do if an accident happens.
We're Here When You Need Us
Auto accidents are scary and stressful—especially in winter when road conditions add an extra layer of danger. If you've been in a winter car accident in Omaha or Council Bluffs, don't wait to get checked out. Quick appointments, one-on-one care, and little to no out-of-pocket expense. We're here to help you through this.
Been in an accident? Call us today: (712) 256-4236
We're right here in your community, ready to help you feel better and get back to your life—holiday plans intact.
Accident Chiro Plus Omaha serves families throughout Omaha and Council Bluffs with compassionate, expert care after auto accidents. Whether your accident happened on I-80, Dodge Street, or a side road in a snowstorm, we're here to guide you through every step of your recovery.