Back pain and neck pain are two of the most common injury symptoms after an auto accident. If you are in pain but also considering the possibility of a personal injury claim, you might be wondering: should I see a chiropractor after a car accident?
There’s no easy or one-size-fits-all answer, and there are a lot of factors to consider.
As Bakersfield auto accident lawyers, we understand the important role that chiropractors can play in our clients’ recovery. For many car accident victims, chiropractic care provides invaluable pain relief and can even expedite physical recovery. But we also understand that there are practical considerations to keep in mind, especially where insurance companies are concerned.
So should you see a chiropractor after a car accident? Let’s walk through that question together.
Always See a Physician
At the outset, it is imperative that you understand the difference between a chiropractor and a physician. Most chiropractors are not medical doctors (M.D.). Seeing a chiropractor is not a substitute for seeing a physician.
Regardless of whether you ultimately decide to see a chiropractor, it is critical that you also see a medical doctor (M.D.).
Only a qualified physician can conduct a comprehensive medical examination and determine whether you need further treatment.
Even if back and neck pain are your only symptoms, you still should see a medical doctor right away.
Will Insurance Pay for Me to See a Chiropractor After a Car Accident?
Often, when people ask us, “Should I see a chiropractor after a car accident?” what they really mean is, “Will my insurance pay for it?”
Here again, there is no one-size-fits-all answer.
The truth is that insurance companies tend to take a skeptical view of chiropractic care. The adjustor might try to deny coverage for your chiropractor bills. Alternatively, they might approve some limited coverage. But the insurance adjustor doesn’t necessarily have the final say.
If the insurance company is liable for your accident, and if chiropractic care is reasonably medically necessary for your recovery from the accident, then you are (generally speaking) entitled to recover the cost of that care.
Chiropractor bills are recoverable as part of a personal injury lawsuit in California, provided that you can show the services were reasonable and medically necessary.
An experienced Bakersfield auto accident lawyer can help you fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve from the insurance company, including compensation for chiropractor services when appropriate.
How Do Juries View Chiropractic Care?
As mentioned earlier, the need for chiropractic care is recognized as a legitimate damage under California personal injury law. Nevertheless, there is an unfortunate stigma surrounding chiropractors in America, and some jury members may struggle to recognize chiropractic services as a “legitimate” form of medical care.
Your lawyer can help by screening for any such bias during jury selection and by educating the court on your need for chiropractic care.
Your Health, Safety, and Quality of Life Come First
In considering whether you should see a chiropractor after a car accident, it’s important to consider your own feelings. Do you believe that seeing a chiropractor will help you feel better? If so, you should consider making an appointment in the near future. You may very well decide that your quality of life matters more than the outcome of an insurance claim.
We encourage our clients to take the steps necessary to improve their quality of life, but we also encourage them to discuss those decisions carefully with our team before moving forward. When you hire us, we commit ourselves to looking out for your best interests at every turn. We offer honest, practical guidance for every aspect of your personal injury claim.
Bottom Line: Should I See a Chiropractor After a Car Accident?
The best way to make this decision is to talk about it in detail with an attorney who represents your best interests. Every situation is different. It’s important that you understand how pursuing chiropractic care might impact your claim.
If you have been injured in an auto accident in California and are wondering if you should see a chiropractor after a car accident, we encourage you to contact our office and talk about the details of your situation directly with a Bakersfield auto accident lawyer. We’re here to help.
The Law Offices of Mickey Fine Will Fight to Protect Your Best Interests
To learn more about your rights and options after an auto accident in California, please contact our office and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation right away. Our Bakersfield auto accident lawyers are standing by.
Time limits do apply to most car accident claims in California, so please don’t delay. Call 661-333-3333 in Bakersfield to speak with one of our Bakersfield auto accident lawyers today, or contact us online as soon as possible.
We will never charge a fee for our services unless we get you money first. The initial consultation is absolutely free.