Will My Car Accident Settlement in Los Angeles Cover My Chiropractic Treatment?
Back and neck injuries are by far the most common types of injuries in car accidents. Back and neck injuries may have long-term consequences, especially if they are left untreated.
Because of this, chiropractic treatment is common after a car accident.
If you have been injured in a car accident and have been (or need to be) treated by a chiropractor, you may be wondering who pays for your chiropractor visits.
Generally, the person who is at fault for the accident, or their insurance company, pays for chiropractor bills.
However, you may encounter some hurdles standing between you and your chiropractic settlement.
If so, a Los Angeles car accident attorney can help you navigate those challenges.
To learn more, contact the team at Starpoint Law today.
How Long Should I Wait Before I Go to the Chiropractor's Office?
After a car accident, you should seek medical attention immediately if you experience neck or back pain.
Even if you do not have pain, seeing a chiropractor after a car crash is generally a good idea because victims may unknowingly experience back and neck injuries that could become symptomatic in the future.
A chiropractor can:
- Assess your injury,
- Treat your symptoms, and
- Help prevent long-term damage or pain from developing.
Continue your chiropractic treatments as recommended by your doctor, ideally until you have fully recovered from your injury.
Your chiropractor can also help you document your personal injury claim through treatment or medical records. Be sure to keep track of the chiropractor's notes and document everything.
In doing so, seeking medical treatment as soon as you feel pain or visiting a chiropractor may help ensure the success of your claim.
However long you continue to see your chiropractor, it is essential to claim compensation for the treatment from the at-fault party as soon as possible.
Under the California statute of limitations for car accidents, you must file your claim within two years of the injury date to receive compensation for your injuries and other damages.
If you do not discover the injury until well within the statutory limitation period (or after the period has expired), California law gives you one year from the discovery of the injury to file a claim in most cases.
The sooner you can get started with your claim, however, the better.
Will My Car Accident Settlement Cover Chiropractic Treatment?
If you are not at fault for a car accident in California, your settlement will likely cover your chiropractic treatment.
California considers reasonable and necessary medical expenses arising from a personal injury to be a form of economic damage.
Injury accident victims typically have the right to pursue compensation from the at-fault party for both their economic and non-economic damages.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Pursuing a car accident settlement will almost certainly require dealing with insurance companies.
The other party's insurance company will try to prove that you are at fault for the accident, in part or in full, to reduce the amount of compensation they are liable for.
California is known as a 'pure comparative negligence state.'
This means that if you have 80% fault for an accident, you can recover 20% of the awarded damages.
Insurance companies inevitably haggle over this and work hard to minimize your claim’s value or deny your claim outright.
Having a car accident lawyer on your side is invaluable.
Your lawyer will:
- Negotiate on your behalf,
- Collect the necessary evidence, and
- Help ensure procedural rules are followed.
Following an accident, a police department will often prepare a traffic collision report assigning fault to one party.
Even if the police report assigns you 100% fault, you can still win your case. The accounts in police reports are hearsay and generally not admissible in court.
Your lawyer will work to challenge the foundation of the accounts and exclude the statements to help win your case.Â
FAQs on Chiropractic Treatment After a Car Accident
It’s normal to have questions about your medical care, especially after a car accident. Here are some of the most asked questions about chiropractic care.
What Factors Determine Whether Chiropractic Treatment Costs Are Included in a Car Accident Settlement in Los Angeles?
Whether chiropractic treatment costs are included in your settlement depends on how badly you’re hurt, if chiropractic care is needed to get better, and your attorney's negotiation skills.
How Can I Ensure That My Car Accident Settlement Includes Compensation for Chiropractic Care in Los Angeles?
First, write down all your injuries, describing them well. Doing so will help you remember exactly how you felt and where you were hurt.
Then, if you haven’t already, see a doctor as soon as possible. Even if you don’t feel hurt right away, a doctor can check for hidden injuries that might appear later, like back or neck problems. A doctor can also provide important documentation about your injuries, which is necessary for getting chiropractic treatment.
Finally, get a good car accident attorney. A good car accident attorney will know how to use the information about your injuries. They will use your doctor's notes to help ensure you get the money you need for chiropractic care.
Are There Specific Types of Injuries or Circumstances Where Chiropractic Treatment Is More Likely to Be Covered in a Car Accident Settlement in Los Angeles?
Car accident settlements are more likely to cover chiropractic treatment if the care is needed to treat injuries. Injuries like whiplash, back strains, and spinal misalignments often require chiropractic care. Suffering one of these injuries increases the chance of chiropractic care being covered in your settlement.
Will My Insurance Company or the At-Fault Party’s Insurance Cover Chiropractic Treatment Costs in My Car Accident Settlement in Los Angeles?
Which insurance company pays for chiropractic treatment depends on the accident details and insurance policies.
If you have personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments coverage on your insurance, it may cover chiropractic treatment. This coverage applies regardless of fault.Â
If the other driver is found to be at fault and has liability insurance, their insurance may cover your chiropractic treatment. The exact coverage can vary based on policy limits, deductibles, and how badly you’re hurt.Â
How Do I Negotiate with Insurance Companies to Ensure Adequate Compensation for Chiropractic Treatment in My Car Accident Settlement in Los Angeles?
It’s best to have a skilled car accident attorney handle these negotiations for you. Your attorney will have legal knowledge and experience. These are necessary negotiation skills. Trying to negotiate with insurance companies on your own is risky. Doing so may result in missing out on the compensation that you deserve.
How Does Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney Affect the Likelihood of Obtaining Coverage for Chiropractic Treatment in a Car Accident Settlement in Los Angeles?
An attorney can:
- Understand the complexities in your case,
- Gather evidence to back your claim, and
- Negotiate with insurance companies to add coverage for chiropractic care.
By doing these things, a personal injury attorney significantly increases your chance of obtaining coverage for chiropractic treatment.
Contact A Top-Rated Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you have been in a car accident and have questions about the claims process, chiropractors, etc., contact the car accident lawyers at Starpoint Law today.
In addition to offering top-tier customer support, including 24/7 chat services on our website, Starpoint Law prides itself on being an active member of the Los Angeles community.
We support local organizations like America Walks, a charitable organization whose goal is to create safe and accessible walking conditions in all communities.
Contact us today to learn more about whether your car accident settlement will cover your chiropractic treatment.
Where You Can Find Our Office
Aidin Ghavimi
Aidin is a partner at Starpoint LC, Attorneys at Law, and focuses on personal injury and employment law cases in and around Southern California. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the Loyola School of Law and his Bachelor’s from USC. Aidin’s primary goal is to bring justice to his clients and to ensure they are able to move on with their lives after a serious injury.
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