NYC Car Accident: Why MRIs vs. CT Scans Matter for Serious Injury Claims
Greenstein & Pittari, LLP | Serving injury victims in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island
After a New York City car accident, it is common to feel “mostly okay” at first, then wake up later with worsening pain, dizziness, numbness, headaches, or brain fog. Adrenaline can mask severe trauma, and many of the most critical injuries are not visible at the scene.
That is why medical imaging matters. CT scans and MRIs help doctors identify hidden injuries and help your injury claim prove what is real. When your health, your job, and your future are on the line, the proper test at the right time can make a meaningful difference.
Call now for a FREE consultation: 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462)
You can start by talking with a New York City car accident lawyer online today.
Why imaging matters after an NYC car accident
Insurance companies often try to minimize legitimate NYC car accident injuries by claiming, “It’s just pain.” In real life, pain can affect your sleep, work, family life, and ability to function.
In New York City car accident claims, imaging can be critical because it helps:
- Confirm injuries that cannot be proven by symptoms alone
- Create objective medical evidence that insurers, defense lawyers, and courts rely on
- Support New York’s serious injury threshold when you are seeking pain and suffering damages beyond no-fault benefits
- Establish causation by tying your injuries to the crash, especially when testing and treatment happen promptly and consistently
If you are dealing with ongoing neck pain, back pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or headaches after a crash, imaging may be the evidence that prevents an insurer from dismissing your claim.
MRI vs. CT scan in plain English
Both tests “look inside” the body, but they are designed for different medical questions. Understanding the difference between MRI and CT scans can also help you understand why your doctor and your car accident lawyer may treat imaging as a turning point in a serious injury case.
CT scans after a car accident in NYC.
A CT scan uses multiple X-ray images from different angles to create cross-sectional images of the body. CT is often used in the emergency room after a car accident because it is fast and effective for trauma evaluation.
CT scans are commonly used to detect:
- Fractures, including skull, spine, ribs, pelvis, and extremities
- Internal bleeding
- Organ injury involving the liver, spleen, kidneys, or lungs
- Acute brain bleeding and skull fractures after head trauma
- Complex injuries that may not be obvious on a basic exam
Bottom line: A CT scan is often used when time is of the essence, and doctors need to rule out life-threatening conditions.
MRI after a NYC car accident
An MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves, not radiation. MRI produces highly detailed images of soft tissue and neurological structures, which can be crucial for diagnosing injuries that do not show well on X-ray or CT.
MRIs are commonly used to detect:
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Spinal cord compression
- Nerve root impingement
- Ligament and tendon tears
- Soft tissue injuries involving muscles and connective tissue
- Certain brain-related findings when symptoms persist
Bottom line: MRI is often the next step when pain persists, neurological symptoms appear, or doctors suspect a disc, nerve, ligament, or soft-tissue injury.
Where X-rays fit in after a car crash
X-rays are often the first imaging test after a motor vehicle accident because they are quick and widely available. X-rays are best for:
- Obvious fractures
- Dislocations
- Alignment issues
X-rays usually do not show soft tissue injuries well, including disc injuries, ligament tears, and nerve compression. If symptoms suggest a more complex injury, your doctor may order a CT scan or MRI.
When a doctor may order a CT scan after a car accident
Doctors often order CT scans when they need a rapid trauma evaluation, especially when there is concern for:
- Possible internal bleeding
- Head trauma, loss of consciousness, or severe neurological symptoms
- Chest, abdominal, or pelvic trauma with concern for organ injury
- Fractures that require more detail than a standard X-ray can provide
- High-impact crashes where hidden internal injury is possible
When a doctor may order an MRI after a car accident
Doctors often order MRIs when symptoms suggest injury to soft tissue, discs, nerves, or the spinal cord, including:
- Severe or persistent neck or back pain that does not improve
- Numbness, tingling, weakness, or radiating pain
- Suspected disc injury, nerve compression, or spinal cord involvement
- Suspected ligament, tendon, or muscle injury
- Persistent symptoms after a head injury that require more detailed evaluation
For many NYC serious injury claims, MRI findings can be the “missing piece” that connects symptoms to objective medical evidence.
What to expect during CT or MRI imaging
Both tests are generally painless. You typically lie on a table that moves into the scanner.
- CT scans are usually completed in minutes.
- MRIs often take 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the body part and the protocol.
Contrast dye may be used in some cases to improve clarity.
- CT contrast often involves iodine-based agents.
- MRI contrast often uses gadolinium-based agents.
Tell your provider about allergies, pregnancy, kidney issues, claustrophobia, or any implanted medical devices.
Risks and limitations to know
Imaging is generally safe, but each test has considerations.
CT scan considerations
- CT scans use ionizing radiation.
- CT may involve contrast dye, which can trigger allergic reactions in some people.
- In trauma cases, CT is often medically justified because it can quickly detect serious internal injuries.
MRI considerations
- MRI uses powerful magnets and may not be safe with certain implants or metal unless the device is MRI-safe.
- MRI can be difficult for people with claustrophobia.
- MRI often takes longer and may be more expensive.
Your symptoms, safety factors, and the medical question should drive the decision about which test is appropriate.
The legal side: why imaging can make or break a serious injury claim in New York
New York is a no-fault state for many crash-related losses. No-fault benefits typically cover medical treatment and certain wage losses up to the available policy limits, regardless of who caused the collision.
To pursue compensation for pain and suffering and other non-economic damages in many NYC car accident cases, you typically must meet the serious injury threshold under New York law. Insurers often fight these cases by attacking three issues:
1) Proof that you were actually injured
Adjusters and defense lawyers may argue that your complaints are subjective or unsupported. Imaging can provide objective findings that are harder to dismiss.
2) Causation
Insurers often claim your injury is degenerative, pre-existing, or unrelated to the crash. Imaging performed promptly, combined with consistent medical records, can help show the injury pattern is consistent with trauma and the crash aggravated or caused the condition.
3) Severity and future impact
Even when an injury exists, insurers may argue that it is not serious or does not require future care. Imaging can support the need for ongoing treatment, specialist referrals, injections, or surgery when medically appropriate.
How insurers try to undermine imaging
Even with MRI or CT findings, defense teams may:
- Argue findings reflect natural degeneration rather than trauma
- Hire experts to interpret the imaging against you
- Use “normal” results to dismiss symptoms
- Exploit gaps in treatment or inconsistent documentation
That is why imaging alone is not enough. You need a strategy that connects the crash, the symptoms, the imaging findings, the treatment plan, and the impact on your daily life.
Timing matters: early evaluation can protect your health and your claim
Many people try to “wait and see.” Delayed symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, numbness, tingling, weakness, radiating pain, and worsening neck or back pain can reflect real injuries that become clearer as swelling increases or the stress response fades.
Delays can also create legal vulnerabilities. Insurers may argue you were not hurt, the crash did not cause your condition, or you made it worse by not getting evaluated.
If symptoms persist or worsen, get reevaluated. If imaging is recommended, it is usually because your doctor is trying to rule out an injury that cannot be confirmed with a basic exam.
What to do next after a NYC car accident if you have head, neck, or back symptoms
- Get evaluated as soon as possible, even if symptoms feel manageable.
- Tell the doctor everything, including dizziness, tingling, weakness, radiating pain, sleep disruption, and concentration issues.
- Follow through on doctor-ordered imaging. Treatment gaps are a common insurance tactic.
- Keep every record, including discharge papers, imaging orders, radiology reports, and discs or download links.
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer without legal advice.
- Speak with a New York City car accident attorney who understands how to use imaging evidence to prove injury, causation, and damages.
How Greenstein & Pittari, LLP helps NYC crash victims
Greenstein & Pittari, LLP helps clients across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island build cases grounded in credible medical proof, including imaging evidence when appropriate.
When you hire our firm, we can help by:
- Protecting your no-fault paperwork and benefits
- Building a clear, organized record of medical and imaging documentation
- Addressing “pre-existing condition” and causation defenses
- Using imaging evidence to prove severity and future care needs
- Pursuing compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering when available
- Handling insurer communications so you are not pressured into a low settlement
Call now for a FREE consultation: 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462)
Or start online to speak with a New York City personal injury lawyer today.
No fee unless we win.
FAQ: MRIs, CT Scans, and X-rays after a NYC car accident
Do I need an MRI or CT scan after every car accident?
No. Many accidents do not require advanced imaging. Doctors decide based on symptoms, suspected injuries, medical history, and urgency. If symptoms are severe or persistent, imaging may be appropriate.
What is the difference between an MRI and a CT scan?
CT scans use X-rays and computer processing to create cross-sectional images. They are often used to evaluate trauma quickly. MRIs use magnets and radio waves and provide more detail for soft tissue, discs, nerves, joints, and the spinal cord.
Which scan is better after a head injury?
CT is often used first to rule out acute bleeding or skull fractures. If symptoms persist, an MRI may be ordered for a more detailed evaluation.
What if my CT scan is routine, but I still feel off?
That can happen. CT is excellent for acute bleeding and fractures, but may miss subtle soft tissue or neurological injuries. Report ongoing symptoms to your doctor and ask about follow-up evaluation.
Are X-rays enough after a crash?
Sometimes. X-rays are helpful for fractures and dislocations. If doctors suspect internal injury or soft tissue damage, they may order a CT or an MRI.
What injuries are MRIs best at finding after a car accident?
MRI is commonly used to evaluate herniated discs, nerve compression, ligament and tendon tears, spinal cord issues, and specific brain-related findings when symptoms persist.
What injuries are CT scans best at finding after a car accident?
CT scans are commonly used to detect fractures, internal bleeding, organ injuries, and acute brain bleeding, especially in emergencies.
Can imaging help prove the accident caused my injury?
Yes. Imaging can support causation, especially when paired with prompt medical evaluation and consistent documentation. It can also aggravate a prior condition.
What if imaging shows degenerative changes?
Degeneration does not automatically defeat a claim. The legal question is often whether the crash caused a new injury or aggravated a prior condition. Timing, symptoms, and medical opinions matter.
Can imaging increase the value of a NYC car accident settlement?
It can. Imaging can provide objective evidence of injury severity, support the medical necessity of treatment, document future care needs, and strengthen pain-and-suffering claims when serious injury is established.
Should I get copies of my imaging?
Yes. Request the radiology report and the disc or digital download. These materials can be central in negotiations and litigation.
What are the risks of CT scans and MRIs?
CT scans involve ionizing radiation and sometimes contrast dye. MRI does not use radiation but requires metal screening and can be uncomfortable for people with claustrophobia. Contrast agents used in either study can pose risks for some patients.
What is the deadline to file a car accident lawsuit in New York?
Many New York personal injury lawsuits must be filed within 3 years, but there are important exceptions. Claims involving city agencies or public entities can have much shorter deadlines, so it is wise to speak with an attorney quickly.
Why Choose Greenstein & Pittari?
- Local Harlem office for convenience and trust
- No fee unless we win your case, Our Fee Guarantee
- Bilingual services available
- Hundreds of positive client reviews and testimonials
- We handle the insurance companies so you can focus on healing
- Top-Rated, Award-Winning Lawyers, Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers
- Seven convenient locations throughout New York, including Harlem, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Yonkers, and Nassau County
Don’t Be a Victim Twice. Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462).
At Greenstein & Pittari, we focus exclusively on personal injury law with a proven track record of results, responsiveness, and relentless advocacy. We offer free consultations, work on a contingency basis, and fight for clients across New York every day. If an uninsured or underinsured driver hit you, call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) to schedule a confidential consultation.
Call us today at 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462). The call is free. The consultation is free. You do not pay us unless we are successful. That is our Fee Guarantee: No Fee Unless Successful.