Speeding and aggressive driving accidents are some of the most dangerous crashes on the road. These collisions often occur when a driver ignores traffic laws, putting other people at risk. The behavior may include driving too fast, tailgating, changing lanes suddenly, running red lights, or trying to “beat” traffic.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that speeding was involved in 29% of all traffic fatalities in 2024, with 11,288 speeding-related deaths nationwide (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA], n.d.). Speeding also makes crashes worse by reducing reaction time, increasing stopping distance, and increasing the force of impact (National Safety Council [NSC], n.d.).
For people in El Paso, Texas, a high-speed or aggressive driving crash can lead to painful injuries that affect daily life, work, sleep, and movement. At Injury Medical Clinic PA, Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CCST, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, works in a multidisciplinary setting that combines chiropractic care, personal injury care, functional medicine, rehabilitation, and related services. Dr. Maria Guadalupe Cardenas, MD, board-certified in internal medicine, serves as medical director and collaborative physician, providing medical oversight within this integrative injury care model. Clinic materials list Dr. Cardenas as NPI #1164426749 and Texas MD License #J2933, and Healthgrades notes that she has over 40 years of experience as an internist in El Paso (Dr. Alex Jimenez, n.d.; Healthgrades, n.d.).
What Counts as Speeding?
Speeding means more than driving above the posted speed limit. It can also mean driving too fast for the conditions. For example, a driver may be “within the limit” but still be unsafe during heavy rain, poor lighting, road construction, or heavy traffic.
NHTSA explains that speed limits are set to protect all road users, not just the person behind the wheel. Speeding can lead to:
- Less time to react
- Longer stopping distance
- Loss of vehicle control
- Stronger crash impact
- More severe injuries
- Reduced protection from seat belts, airbags, guardrails, and barriers
NHTSA also notes that traffic congestion, running late, and feeling anonymous inside a vehicle can increase aggressive driving behavior (NHTSA, n.d.).
What Is Aggressive Driving?
Aggressive driving is not one single mistake. It is usually a pattern of unsafe driving choices. The Governors Highway Safety Association explains that NHTSA defines aggressive driving as a combination of moving traffic offenses that endanger people or property (Governors Highway Safety Association [GHSA], 2026).
Common aggressive driving behaviors include:
- Tailgating
- Speeding in heavy traffic
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Weaving through lanes
- Cutting off other drivers
- Passing improperly
- Failing to yield
- Blocking another vehicle from passing
- Changing lanes without signaling
The Texas Department of Insurance describes aggressive driving as unsafe behavior done on purpose, with ill intent or disregard for safety. It also lists speeding, tailgating, red-light running, and weaving in and out of traffic as common examples (Texas Department of Insurance [TDI], 2020).
Aggressive Driving vs. Road Rage
Aggressive driving and road rage are related, but they are not the same thing.
Aggressive driving usually involves dangerous traffic violations. Road rage is more serious because it may involve intentional violence. TDI explains that extreme aggressive driving can escalate into road rage, which may include throwing objects, ramming another vehicle, forcing another driver off the road, or physically assaulting someone (TDI, 2020).
A simple way to understand the difference is this:
- Speeding: Driving too fast for the law or road conditions
- Aggressive driving: Committing unsafe traffic violations that endanger others
- Road rage: Using a vehicle, weapon, or physical action to threaten or harm someone
This is why drivers should avoid engaging with angry motorists. Safety experts recommend creating space, not challenging the other driver, and contacting law enforcement if someone is following or harassing you (NHTSA, n.d.; Zero Deaths Maryland, n.d.).
Why Speeding and Aggressive Driving Crashes Happen
Many aggressive driving accidents begin with pressure. A driver may feel late, stressed, angry, or trapped in traffic. Traffic congestion is one of the most common triggers. A driver may try to make up time by speeding, cutting between cars, or tailgating slower vehicles.
These choices are dangerous because the driver is trading a few seconds for a much higher risk of harm. Zero Deaths Maryland reports that the chance of death or serious injury grows with higher speeds and doubles for every 10 mph over 50 mph (Zero Deaths Maryland, n.d.).
At higher speeds, the body absorbs more force. Even if the vehicle has airbags and seat belts, the spine, muscles, ligaments, discs, joints, and nerves can still be injured. The National Safety Council explains that speeding reduces reaction time, increases stopping distance, and diminishes the effectiveness of roadway safety structures, such as guardrails and concrete barriers, in protecting people in a crash (NSC, n.d.).
Common Injuries After High-Speed Accidents
High-impact crashes can injure the body from head to toe. Some injuries are felt right away. Others may appear hours or days later as swelling and inflammation increase.
Common injuries after speeding and aggressive driving accidents include:
- Whiplash
- Neck pain
- Low back pain
- Herniated discs
- Sciatica
- Pinched nerves
- Shoulder injuries
- Hip and knee injuries
- Muscle strains
- Ligament sprains
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Numbness or tingling
- Joint stiffness
- Soft tissue inflammation
Dr. Jimenez’s clinical observations, shared on his website and LinkedIn, often focus on how motor vehicle accidents can affect the cervical spine, upper extremities, lower back, and soft tissues. His materials also emphasize integrative care options such as chiropractic care, functional medicine, regenerative medicine, MLS laser therapy, shockwave therapy, and rehabilitation for accident recovery (Dr. Alex Jimenez, n.d.; Jimenez, n.d.).
Why Early Evaluation Matters
After a crash, many people say, “I feel okay,” and wait to seek care. That can be a mistake. Pain may be delayed because adrenaline can mask symptoms. Inflammation can build slowly. Disc irritation, ligament sprains, and nerve compression may not fully show up until the body begins reacting to the trauma.
An early exam can help identify:
- Where the pain is coming from
- Whether nerves are irritated
- Whether spinal motion is limited
- Whether imaging or referrals are needed
- Whether the injury is improving or worsening
- What care plan fits the person’s condition
In personal injury care, documentation also matters. Clear records can help connect symptoms to the crash, track progress, and support communication with attorneys, insurance teams, and other healthcare providers when appropriate.
An Integrative Clinic Approach in El Paso
In an integrative injury care clinic, the goal is not to use one therapy for every patient. The goal is to build a plan around the injury. At Injury Medical Clinic PA in El Paso, Dr. Jimenez provides chiropractic and functional medicine-based care, while Dr. Cardenas provides medical direction as a board-certified internal medicine physician and collaborative physician. This type of setup is common in multidisciplinary injury care, where medical oversight works alongside chiropractic, rehabilitation, personal injury care, and wellness services.
This team-based model may include:
- Chiropractic examination and care
- Medical oversight
- Functional medicine support
- Rehabilitation planning
- Pain and inflammation management
- Imaging or diagnostic review when needed
- Personal injury documentation
- Nutritional and recovery support
- Advanced tissue-focused therapies
The purpose is to help the injured person move better, reduce pain, calm inflammation, and support tissue healing.
Chiropractic Care for Crash Injuries
Chiropractic care focuses on joint motion, spinal alignment, nerve function, and movement patterns. After a crash, the spine may become stiff, irritated, or misaligned due to sudden force. This can increase muscle guarding and nerve stress.
Chiropractic adjustments may help:
- Restore joint motion
- Reduce stiffness
- Improve range of motion
- Decrease mechanical stress
- Support better posture
- Help the nervous system function more smoothly
For whiplash, back pain, and accident-related joint pain, chiropractic care is often paired with soft tissue care, corrective exercises, and home movement guidance.
Spinal Decompression
Spinal decompression is used for certain disc and nerve-related problems. It creates controlled traction in the spine. This may help reduce pressure on compressed discs and irritated nerves in the neck or lower back.
For patients with herniated discs, bulging discs, sciatica, or radiating pain, decompression may be part of a broader plan. It is not for every patient, so proper evaluation is important.
MLS Laser Therapy
MLS laser therapy uses light-based photobiomodulation. In simple terms, targeted light energy is applied to injured tissue to support cellular activity, calm inflammation, and reduce pain. Research on photobiomodulation suggests it may help reduce pain in several musculoskeletal conditions, including neck pain and low back pain (de Oliveira et al., 2022).
After a crash, MLS laser therapy may be used to help relieve irritation in muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints without surgery.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy uses acoustic waves to stimulate injured soft tissue. It is commonly used in outpatient musculoskeletal care. A best-practices review describes extracorporeal shockwave therapy as a treatment used for several musculoskeletal conditions when applied with proper patient selection and technique (Tenforde et al., 2022).
After a high-impact crash, shockwave therapy may help areas with scar tissue, chronic tendon irritation, tight muscle bands, and poor circulation. It is often combined with movement therapy and rehabilitation.
Regenerative Therapies: PRP, PFP, and MFAT
Regenerative therapies are designed to support the body’s natural repair process. They are not magic cures, and they are not a replacement for good rehab. They work best when used as part of a complete plan.
Common options include:
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma): Uses concentrated platelets from the patient’s blood. Platelets contain growth factors that may support soft tissue healing.
- PFP, or Platelet-Poor Plasma: Uses plasma-based proteins that may support the healing environment.
- MFAT, or Micro-Fragmented Adipose Tissue: Uses processed adipose tissue to provide cushioning and healing signals for certain joint and soft-tissue problems.
A review on PRP notes that it is used to support bone and soft tissue healing by injecting concentrated autologous platelets into damaged tissue areas (O’Dowd et al., 2022).
Epidural Spinal Injections
Some crash injuries irritate spinal nerves. This may cause severe neck-to-arm pain, back-to-leg pain, sciatica, numbness, tingling, or weakness. When conservative care needs extra support, epidural spinal injections may be considered under medical guidance.
Epidural steroid injections are used to place anti-inflammatory medication near irritated spinal nerves. StatPearls notes that these injections are used to reduce inflammation and pain and may help limit medication use or delay surgery in selected patients (Patel et al., 2024).
These injections should be used carefully, based on diagnosis, symptoms, risk factors, and medical oversight.
IV Infusion Therapy
After a crash, the body may be under stress. Pain, poor sleep, inflammation, and reduced activity can leave a person feeling drained. IV infusion therapy delivers fluids, vitamins, and minerals directly into the bloodstream.
In an integrative plan, IV therapy may support hydration, nutrient status, and recovery energy. It should not replace food, rest, rehabilitation, or medical care, but it may support the body’s internal healing environment when clinically appropriate.
A Clear Recovery Path
A patient recovering from a speeding or aggressive driving crash may move through care in steps:
- Evaluation: History, exam, orthopedic testing, neurological screening, and imaging review if needed.
- Pain control: Gentle therapies may help calm inflammation and reduce muscle guarding.
- Motion restoration: Chiropractic care and decompression may help improve spinal and joint mechanics.
- Tissue repair support: MLS laser, shockwave therapy, PRP, PFP, MFAT, or injections may be considered when appropriate.
- Rehabilitation: Strength, flexibility, posture, balance, and movement training help the body return to daily activity.
- Long-term prevention: Functional medicine, nutrition, sleep, hydration, and exercise planning help support lasting recovery.
Final Thoughts
Speeding and aggressive driving accidents are not “minor” when the body absorbs the impact. Even a short crash can create long-lasting neck pain, back pain, headaches, nerve irritation, disc injuries, and soft tissue damage.
In El Paso, an integrative injury care model can help patients move from pain and confusion toward a clear recovery plan. With Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, providing chiropractic, functional medicine, personal injury, and rehabilitation-focused care, and Dr. Maria Guadalupe Cardenas, MD, serving as medical director and collaborative physician, Injury Medical Clinic PA reflects a multidisciplinary approach to accident recovery.
The goal is simple: evaluate the injury, calm inflammation, restore movement, support tissue healing, and help the patient return to life with better function and confidence.
References
de Oliveira, M. F., Johnson, D. S., Demchak, T., Tomazoni, S. S., & Leal-Junior, E. C. P. (2022). Low-intensity LASER and LED (photobiomodulation therapy) for pain control of the most common musculoskeletal conditions. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 58(2), 282–289.
Dr. Alex Jimenez. (n.d.). Dr. Maria Cardenas, MD (Board Certified Internal Medicine Specialist).
Dr. Alex Jimenez. (n.d.). Dr. Alex Jimenez chiropractor and injury recovery.
Governors Highway Safety Association. (2026). Speeding & aggressive driving.
Healthgrades. (n.d.). Dr. Maria Cardenas, MD - Internist in El Paso, TX.
Jimenez, A. (n.d.). Dr. Alexander Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, IFMCP, CFMP, ATN.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (n.d.). Speeding and aggressive driving prevention.
National Safety Council. (n.d.). Speeding.
O’Dowd, A., Bowles, R., McKenna, L., & Walters, J. (2022). Update on the use of platelet-rich plasma injections in the management of musculoskeletal injuries. Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma, 30, 101917.
Patel, K., Upadhyayula, S., & Patel, R. (2024). Epidural steroid injections. StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
Tenforde, A. S., Borgstrom, H., Polich, G., Steere, H., Davis, I. S., Cotton, K., O’Donnell, M., & Silver, J. K. (2022). Best practices for extracorporeal shockwave therapy in musculoskeletal medicine. Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports, 10, 54–65.
Texas Department of Insurance. (2020). Aggressive driving fact sheet.
Zero Deaths Maryland. (n.d.). Speed and aggressive driving.
The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and physical medicine, as well as wellness, sensitive health issues, and functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and facilitate clinical collaboration with specialists across disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and the jurisdiction in which they are licensed. We utilize functional health and wellness protocols to treat and support care for musculoskeletal injuries or disorders. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters and issues that directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice. Our office has made a reasonable effort to provide supportive citations and identify relevant research studies for our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies upon request to regulatory boards and the public.
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Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, MSACP, APRN, FNP-BC*, CCST, IFMCP, CFMP, ATN
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Multidisciplinary Licensing & Board Certifications:
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License #: TX5807, Verified: TX5807
New Mexico DC License #: NM-DC2182, Verified: NM-DC2182
Multi-State Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN*) in Texas & Multi-States
Multi-State Compact APRN License by Endorsement (42 States)
Texas APRN License #: 1191402, Verified: 1191402 *
Florida APRN License #: 11043890, Verified: APRN11043890 *
New York APRN License #: N25929, Verified: APRN-N25929*
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* Prescriptive Authority Authorized
ANCC FNP-BC: Board Certified Nurse Practitioner*
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Graduate with Honors: ICHS: MSN-FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Degree Granted. Master's in Family Practice MSN Diploma (Cum Laude)
Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC*, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST
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Dr. Maria Cardenas, MD
(Board Certified in Internal Medicine)
Medical Director & Collaborative Physician
NPI # 1164426749
MD License #: J2933
