If you’ve been in a car accident or other type of personal injury accident, you know how important it is to get medical treatment as soon as possible. You may, though, be worried about how getting certain types of treatment will affect your ability to win a lawsuit. For example, if you go to a car accident specialist, will that make it easier or harder to win a case? Will the other side somehow be able to use your chiropractor visits against you?
It’s unfortunate that you even have to consider such things when you should be focused on recovery. Thankfully, there are a number of reasons why seeing a chiropractor is not a negative to your case.
Should You Make an Appointment with a Chiropractor After an Accident?
Most people who are in a car accident or other type of personal injury accident book an appointment with their primary care physician. Even those who are checked out at the scene of the accident are encouraged to do so. However, it’s important to remember that your primary doctor is a general practitioner. That means they know a little bit about everything, but they’re not specialized in treating issues like spinal injuries or soft tissue damage.
If you have back or neck pain, your doctor will likely refer you to a chiropractor or a car accident doctor. Some lawyers actually recommend that their clients visit a chiropractor anyway because they specialize in many of the potential injuries that affect victims of accident or personal injury cases, such as whiplash.
Who Pays for Chiropractic Care After Accident?
Some good news is that car insurance can often cover chiropractic therapy after an accident. Typically, this will fall on the insurance of the at-fault driver. In Texas, all auto insurance policies must offer Personal Injury Protection (PIP) to cover medical and other expenses after an accident, with a minimum coverage of $2,500. This means that you shouldn’t have to pay exorbitant amounts of out-of-pocket expenses to receive care.
The other aspect of this answer is about car accident settlements. If your personal injury attorney files a claim against the other driver’s insurer, the settlement money can also cover your treatment.
Do Chiropractors Work with Lawyers?
Yes, quite frequently! This comes down to the importance of fully understanding the consequences of the accident, especially factors like physical injuries.
Why Would a Lawyer Send You to a Chiropractor?
Your attorney’s goal is to make sure you heal quickly and feel better, as well as to strengthen your case. Some key reasons a lawyer might send you to be treated by a chiropractor include:
Speeding Up Your Recovery Process
Your health is the primary goal after any injuries. Chiropractors are well-versed in understanding and diagnosing the mechanism of injury (MOI) caused by car accidents, like whiplash, herniated discs, and other back pain. This makes them ideal doctors to see after an accident, so you can feel better, faster.
Fully Determine the Extent of Your Injuries
With their additional training in how the spine, neck, and connective tissue and muscles all work together, chiropractors are often able to recognize and diagnose injuries that other doctors would miss. This allows them to get a more comprehensive view of any damage suffered during an accident, which could lead to fair compensation for your injury.
Documenting Evidence for Legal Cases
When it comes to court, seeing an expert will help gather evidence of injuries that can be used by your lawyers. This might include medical records, invoice documentation, how the accident likely contributed to certain injuries, reported pain levels, estimated time for recovery, and more. All of this information goes towards establishing the need for compensation and can bolster your case with expert-driven evidence.
Expert Testimony
On the topic of experts — because of their knowledge of relevant injuries (as well as extensive experience with car accident damage), chiropractors may also be called to act as expert witnesses in court. Often, these testimonies are used to clarify medical aspects of a case to the jury, further bolstering your case.
Recovering from the Accident
As we’ve discussed, chiropractors have a strong understanding of how to help you recover from car accident injuries. You’ll be able to begin working on your physical recovery right away to reduce any pain, discomfort, or limited range of motion you’re experiencing. You shouldn’t wait to seek treatment just because you know you’re going to court. Delaying treatment may result in more pain and damage becoming worse.
Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may need to continue seeing your chiropractor for months after the incident. However, if everything has been documented correctly, you shouldn’t have to pay out-of-pocket for this treatment, as it should be covered by the responsible party’s insurance.
Looking for a Chiropractor Experienced in Car Accident Treatment?
If you’ve been in a crash and want to see a licensed chiropractor, Pro-Care can help. Our team of professionals is dedicated to providing the best care possible to every patient and has extensive experience working with patients who have been in car accidents. Our team of chiropractors works side-by-side with specialists in accident and injury care, including pain management, orthopedists, neurologists, and more. Whether you just want to be checked over for injuries or are in need of long-term chiropractic care, we’re here to help. Book an appointment today or visit one of our locations.
