One specialist for the whole injury
Dr. Manan Patel is a Certified Vestibular Specialist and one of the few certified Therapeutic Pain Specialists in North Atlanta, so whiplash, concussion, dizziness and neck or back pain are evaluated and treated in one plan, with objective documentation at every stage.
Reviewed by Dr. Manan Patel, PT, DPT, TPS. Updated October 17, 2026.
Injuries we treat after an accident
Car accidents and work injuries rarely affect just one system. A rear-end collision can strain the neck, jolt the brain and loosen inner-ear crystals at the same time.
- Whiplash and neck painNeck pain, stiffness and headaches after a crash.
- ConcussionHeadaches, fog, visual strain and dizziness after a head injury.
- Vertigo after a crash (BPPV)Brief spinning with head movements, often after a blow to the head.
- Neck-related dizzinessUnsteadiness that comes with neck pain after whiplash.
- Pinched nerveArm pain, tingling or weakness from the neck.
- Back pain and sciaticaBack injuries, with or without leg symptoms.
- Pain that lingersPain that continues after the injury should have healed.
- Balance problemsUnsteadiness or falls after an injury.
$0 at your visit
Letter of Protection
Your personal injury attorney agrees that our bill is paid from your settlement or judgment. No out-of-pocket cost at your visit.
Auto MedPay
Medical payments coverage on your auto policy can pay for therapy after a crash, regardless of who was at fault.
Workers' Compensation
For approved work injuries, with work-status reports for your case manager.
Prefer to use health insurance? We are in-network with Traditional Medicare, BCBS / Anthem and Tricare, or you can choose our $129 flat rate.
What to do after a car accident
- Get medical care first
Go to the emergency department, urgent care or your doctor to rule out a fracture, bleeding or serious head injury.
- Watch for delayed symptoms
Neck pain, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision and brain fog can appear hours to days later.
- Keep moving, gently
Guidelines recommend staying active with guided movement rather than bed rest or a soft collar for whiplash.3
- Get a specialist evaluation
We test the neck, inner ear, eye movements and balance in one 60-minute, 1-on-1 visit.
- Keep records
Note dates, symptoms, missed work and every visit. Your attorney or adjuster will ask.
Why accident injuries need a specialist
Whiplash is not always a quick recovery. An international task force found that about half of people with whiplash-associated disorders still report neck pain a year after the injury.1 Concussion and whiplash often happen together,4 and a head injury can also cause BPPV, the most common cause of vertigo.2 When each system is tested and treated, recovery is clearer and easier to document. Read our guide on what to do after a car accident.
Information for personal injury attorneys and case managers
We work with personal injury attorneys, case managers and claims adjusters across North Atlanta. When you refer a client, here is what to expect.
- Letters of Protection (LOP) accepted, so your client can start care with $0 at the visit
- Auto MedPay and Workers' Compensation accepted; in-network with Traditional Medicare, BCBS / Anthem and Tricare
- Urgent evaluations within 48 hours at our Cumming and Alpharetta clinics
- Evaluation summary within 48 hours of the first visit, progress reports at each re-evaluation and a discharge summary
- Records and itemized billing released promptly with the patient's written authorization
- Workers' Compensation work-status reporting for case managers
Objective measures we document
- Infrared video goggles that record eye movements and nystagmus during positional testing for post-traumatic BPPV and oculomotor testing after concussion
- BioSway computerized balance testing (posturography), measuring sway under different sensory conditions
- Cervical range of motion, strength and neurological screening for whiplash and radiating arm symptoms
- Standardized outcome measures, such as the Neck Disability Index, Dizziness Handicap Inventory and post-concussion symptom scales, repeated over time to show change
Findings are recorded the same way at the first visit and at each re-evaluation, so the course of recovery is clearly documented. Our role is your client's care and accurate, objective records.
Auto accident and injury questions
Should I see a physical therapist after a car accident?
Yes, once a doctor has ruled out a fracture, bleeding or another serious injury. Early, guided movement generally helps whiplash recover better than rest, and dizziness, headaches or visual strain after a crash should be evaluated rather than waited out.
Do I pay anything at my visit?
With a Letter of Protection from your attorney, Auto MedPay or an approved Workers' Compensation claim, there is no out-of-pocket cost at your visit. We explain how your bill is handled before you start.
What is a Letter of Protection?
A Letter of Protection (LOP) is a letter from your personal injury attorney agreeing that our bill will be paid from your settlement or judgment. Ask your attorney to send it before your first visit, or we can request it for you.
Do I need a lawyer to be seen?
No. You can be seen using Auto MedPay, your health insurance or our $129 flat rate. If you do have an attorney, we work directly with their office.
Can a car accident cause vertigo or dizziness?
Yes. A crash can cause BPPV (loose inner-ear crystals), a concussion that disrupts the balance and eye-movement systems, or neck-related dizziness from whiplash. We test for each in the same visit.
My symptoms started days after the accident. Is that normal?
Yes. Neck pain, headaches, dizziness and brain fog can take hours to days to appear. Get checked by a doctor first, then we can evaluate the neck, inner ear, eye movements and balance.
What documentation do you provide?
An evaluation summary within 48 hours of the first visit, with objective findings such as infrared video goggle recording of eye movements, BioSway computerized balance testing, neck range of motion and standardized questionnaires, followed by progress and discharge reports. Records are released with your written authorization.
Do you work with personal injury attorneys?
Yes. We accept Letters of Protection, see clients urgently, send an evaluation summary within 48 hours of the first visit and release records promptly with the patient's authorization. Attorneys and case managers can fax referrals to 866-851-2493 or download our referral pad, which includes fields for the claim number, date of injury and attorney contact.
Do you treat workplace injuries?
Yes. We accept Workers' Compensation for work-related head, neck and back injuries and provide timely work-status reports for your case manager.
How quickly can I be seen after an accident?
We hold urgent slots and offer appointments within 48 hours at our Cumming and Alpharetta clinics. Call (470) 380-7007.
Do I need a doctor's referral after an accident?
No referral is needed to start in Georgia. Many attorneys and insurers like to see physician involvement, and we coordinate with your doctor's office. Georgia requires a physician referral if care continues past 21 days or 8 visits.
When to get emergency care
References
- Carroll LJ, et al. Course and prognostic factors for neck pain in whiplash-associated disorders (WAD): results of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000–2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. Spine. 2008.
- Bhattacharyya N, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (Update). Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. 2017.
- Blanpied PR, et al. Neck Pain: Revision 2017. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2017.
- Patricios JS, et al. Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport, Amsterdam 2022. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2023.
Where to get treated
Book at either clinic. Same phone number, same team, same 60-minute visits. In-network with Traditional Medicare, BCBS / Anthem and Tricare; Auto MedPay, injury liens and Workers' Comp accepted; or $129 flat-rate visits for self-pay patients and out-of-network plans, including Aetna, Cigna and UHC.
Cumming clinic
Off GA-400 Exit 13 on Peachtree Parkway
Cumming, GA 30041
Alpharetta clinic
Inside Georgia Brain & Spine Physical Therapy
Alpharetta, GA 30022
