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Do Car Accident Settlements Cover Chiropractic Treatment?

By Butler Prather LLP on April 5, 2021

Car accidents in Georgia often result in drivers and passengers sustaining injuries. In some cases, these injuries are severe and necessitate extensive medical care. However, even mild accidents that result in seemingly minor injuries can lead to pain and suffering. Collisions that result in neck, spine, and soft muscle injuries can often be treated with skilled chiropractic care. Chiropractors who specialize in treating vehicle accident victims can help their patients manage ongoing pain and help promote faster healing. Here, we want to discuss whether or not chiropractic care will be included in a vehicle accident settlement reached with insurance carriers.

When Should You See a Chiropractor After an Accident?

We absolutely need to stress that any person involved in a vehicle accident needs to seek immediate medical care, even if their injuries same relatively minor. Nothing carries more weight with an insurance carrier or a personal injury jury than medical records that show a person sought immediate medical care that indicated their injuries occurred due to the accident.

However, many car accident injuries do not show signs or symptoms until days or even weeks after the incident occurs. Even if a person does not feel immediate discomfort in their spine or neck, there could be an underlying injury. It is recommended that a person involved in a vehicle accident try to see a chiropractor as soon as possible following the incident. Sometimes, a doctor will even recommend that a person seek chiropractic care as part of the holistic approach following a vehicle accident.

Prompt medical and chiropractic care helps establish a timeline that insurance claims adjusters and juries like to see. This will help improve the chances that a person will receive a settlement for all of their medical expenses.

Ensuring That Chiropractic Care is Covered

An unfortunate reality is that chiropractic treatment is still regarded by many people, including insurance carriers, as non-medical and discretionary. Insurance carriers are very likely to try to say that chiropractic care was not needed so they will not have to cover the expenses.

In order to increase the odds of a person receiving compensation for chiropractic care following a Georgia car accident, we recommend taking the following steps:

  • Beginning chiropractic treatment as soon as possible after the accident.
  • Asking a medical doctor for a referral to chiropractic care as part of the overall approach to healing and recovery.
  • Making sure the chiropractor documents the condition and the treatment plan in all medical records and that they support initial and ongoing treatment with:
    • Diagnostic testing results
    • Symptom charts
    • Radiology reports
    • Patient improvements
    • Referrals to pain specialists or other medical professionals
  • Maintain an activity log and injury log detailing daily physical pain and limitations
  • Adhering to physical therapy and treatment schedules put in place by doctors and chiropractors

We also recommend working with a qualified Atlanta car accident attorney who has experience handling these situations. Attorneys will be very familiar with methods of ensuring chiropractic care is covered by insurance carriers. Additionally, an attorney can handle every aspect of the vehicle accident claim, including obtaining evidence, determining liability, and vigorously negotiating with insurance carriers to recover full compensation for their client.

Posted in: Car Accidents


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