Who Pays For A Chiropractor After An Accident?
A car accident is a major interruption to your life. It doesn’t just throw you off on the day of the accident, either. It can be weeks before you know the status of your car, how much insurance will cover, and more.
And that’s just concerning the damage to your vehicle. What about the damage done to you?
When you’re in a car accident, it’s important to seek medical treatment and seeing a chiropractor after a car accident can be an excellent source of recovery for a wide range of car accident injuries.
However, depending on the severity of your injuries, you may find yourself with one all-consuming question: Who pays for a chiropractor after an accident?
There’s good news! If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you have multiple options to avoid paying out of pocket for chiropractic services.
Does Car Insurance Cover Chiropractor Visits After an Accident?
Many people are surprised to hear that their car or auto insurance policy provides coverage for medical bills, including chiropractic treatments following an accident, but it’s true!
Florida law requires that all drivers carry a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which is designed to cover a portion of the medical expenses and lost wages caused by a car accident injury, regardless of who is at fault.
If you are diagnosed with an emergency medical condition (EMC), you can use your PIP benefits to pay for your chiropractic care (up to your coverage limit). For medical expenses not covered by PIP, you would need to turn to your health insurance plan or pay out of pocket.
Keep in mind, however, that you must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident to use these benefits. (And even then, PIP insurance only pays for 80% of your medical treatment.) How do you pay for your treatment if this window has already passed?
The answer: car accident settlements.
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Using Your Car Accident Settlement to Pay for Chiropractic Care
If you are working with a personal injury attorney to file a personal injury claim against the other driver’s insurance company, you can use your car accident settlement to pay for any treatment plan you want—including chiropractic care!
A car accident settlement can also go toward medical bills from a hospital stay, any pain and suffering you may be experiencing, and even your household bills and expenses.
However, once you are finished pursuing reimbursement and accept a car accident settlement, it will not be possible to ask for more later on. This is why you need to work closely with an experienced attorney who can help you receive the full value of your personal injury claim.
The most important things you can do to help your case are to document all your injuries and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
What to Expect at Your First Chiropractic Appointment After a Car Accident
After a car accident, your first visit to a chiropractor is all about understanding what your body has been through and creating a plan to help you heal. Even if you feel “fine,” your chiropractor will take a thorough approach to make sure no hidden injuries are overlooked.
Initial Consultation & Health History
Your chiropractor will start by talking with you about the accident, any symptoms you’re experiencing, and your overall health history. This conversation helps identify potential problem areas and gives context for your physical exam.
Comprehensive Exam & Imaging
Next, a physical exam will assess your posture, range of motion, and areas of pain or tenderness. Depending on your injuries, X-rays or other imaging may be recommended to spot issues like misalignments, disc injuries, or ligament damage that might not be obvious right away.
Personalized Treatment Plan
Based on your results, your chiropractor will outline a treatment plan designed to support your recovery. This may include gentle adjustments, soft tissue therapies, stretches, or other non-invasive techniques. They’ll also discuss how often you should come in, how long treatment may last, and how to combine chiropractic care with other medical treatments if needed.
Insurance & Documentation
Your chiropractor will document your injuries and treatments, which can be valuable if you’re filing an insurance claim or working with a personal injury attorney. Proper documentation ensures your care is covered and supports your case if you pursue a settlement.
The Long-Term Benefits of Chiropractic Care After a Crash
No matter how gentle the car accident may feel, hidden injuries are no joke. Even a fender bender can cause whiplash or tissue damage which will have major effects on your life down the road.
Seeing a car accident chiropractor is a great way to diagnose any hidden injuries and start treating them before they become more severe. Symptoms of back pain and stiff joints can take several weeks to appear, but getting a diagnosis early can minimize their effect.
At Oviedo Chiropractic, we strive to offer same or next-day appointments so you can receive care as soon as possible. Call us today and get on the road to healing.
