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On average, there are about 15,913 car accidents every day in the U.S.
Maybe this isn't surprising to you, because it feels like you get stuck behind a few every day on your way to work.
But with that many car accidents every day, there's a good chance you'll eventually end up involved in one if you haven't already.
Some car accidents have fatal outcomes. Some accidents cause visible injuries that need immediate medical attention.
And then there are car accidents that cause injuries, but you're not aware of your injury until hours or days after the accident.
After a car accident, your adrenaline is pumping, so you might not feel the effects of your injury right away.
You might even refuse medical treatment because you're convinced you made it out okay.
But then shortly after your accident, you start to actually feel like you've been hit by a car.
These tissues are often soft tissue injuries, and the best treatment for them is chiropractic care.
Like any other healthcare service, the cost of chiropractic care will add up quickly, so if your accident was due to the negligence of another driver, you need to be sure you receive adequate compensation.
But, since many people view chiropractic care as an "alternative" treatment, will your personal injury claim cover the expense of chiropractic care?
Like any other healthcare service, the cost of chiropractic care will add up quickly, so if your accident was due to the negligence of another driver, you need to be sure you receive adequate compensation.
But, since many people view chiropractic care as an "alternative" treatment, will your personal injury claim cover the expense of chiropractic care?
We'll answer that question and more in the article below.
Table of Contents
- Proving Reasonably Necessary Medical Expenses
- Chiropractic Expenses and Settling With Insurers
- Hire AN Experienced Personal Attorney
Proving Reasonably Necessary Medical Expenses
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When a defendant loses in court they typically have to pay all of the plaintiff's reasonably necessary medical expenses related to the accident.
As part of proving the damages in a case, the plaintiff submits all of the medical and therapeutic bills he or she incurred as a result of the injury.
But just because a plaintiff receives medical treatment doesn't mean it was necessary or needed as a direct result of the car accident.
When you see a chiropractor after a car accident, you need to be sure to get copies of your chiropractors records for detailed billing purposes.
You should have your specific symptoms, the treatment provided, and the cost of each treatment must be clearly laid out in the records and billing.
If any records are vague or inconclusive your chiropractic treatment could be deemed as not "reasonably necessary."
Most personal injury claims never see the inside of a courtroom.
But if yours does, and it is highly contested, an expert witness may have to testify that the chiropractic care you received was a necessity to treat your injuries.
On the other side of the coin, the defendant can then hire an expert witness of their own to claim that the chiropractic care you received was not necessary to treat your injuries.
If your case makes it to court, whether expert witnesses are involved or not, it will be up to the jury to determine how much of your expenses were "reasonably necessary."
Even though the jury might be skeptical about the necessity of chiropractic treatment, chiropractic expenses are not prohibited on the argument that they are not considered medical expenses.
However, the jury could be persuaded that some chiropractic treatment was necessary, but only require the defendant to pay a portion of the total bill.
Chiropractic Expenses and Settling With Insurers
As we mentioned earlier, most personal injury cases are settled before they make to trial.
In many cases involving auto collisions and chiropractic care, the defendant's insurance company will negotiate and pay the settlement, depending on the coverage options.
Because it can be difficult for plaintiffs to have their entire chiropractic bill paid at trial, insurance companies are always hesitant to pay the entire bill in a pre-trial settlement.
If a plaintiff is expected to make a full recovery, the case won't be ready for settlement until his or her chiropractor feels that they have made the maximum potential recovery.
If this were to happen to you after a car accident, there's a chance you would find yourself with chiropractic bills piling up and a fear that you will ever be able to pay them back.
You and your attorney would need to decide if accepting a settlement that doesn't cover all of the chiropractic treatment is your best option, or if you should take your chances and go to trial.
Hire An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
If you were recently in a car accident and injured your neck back or spine, and you've made a personal injury claim, you are entitled to compensation. Damage to those areas can cause a disruption to your daily life, and the at-fault driver should be held accountable. On top of that, if the injuries aren't properly healed, they can lead to future health issues.
And that fair compensation should include the costs of the trips to your chiropractic office, or at least some of it.
Insurance companies are out to make a profit, so they want to pay out as little as possible for each settlement.
And the legal system can be extremely difficult to navigate, especially if you've been overwhelmed by a car accident.
That's why it is essential that you work with an experienced personal injury attorney that can make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
The team at Car Wreck Doctor has a simple mission - to connect you with chiropractors and Personal Injury Attorneys that are trusted in your local area. We partner with local law firms that have years of experience in personal injury law and can help you and your loved ones throughout the entire claims process. Give us a call to get connected with a knowledgeable team and get answers to any of your accident questions and work toward a favorable settlement.
Contact them today so you can start your road to recovery.