After a car accident, victims can sustain injuries that cause muscle pain and reduced movement. They then might seek out chiropractors for treatment.
Chiropractors perform adjustments and utilize other therapies to lessen discomfort and increase mobility.
This begs the question, Who pays for a chiropractor after an accident?
Sources of Compensation
You have several options for paying your chiropractor.
If another party was at fault for your accident, you can seek compensation through a claim against their insurance or a lawsuit.
If you can’t identify someone to sue or the at-fault party was uninsured or underinsured, you may have options to pay for your chiropractor through your own insurance.
Car Accident Claim Against the At-Fault Party
Your first step to seeking a chiropractor and other expenses after a car accident is to file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company.
Alabama law stipulates every driver must carry minimum liability car insurance coverage.
Liability insurance pays for damages caused by the policyholder in an accident.
Minimum car liability insurance in Alabama covers the following damages:
- $25,000 for bodily injury and death to one person killed or injured in a car accident,
- $25,000 of property damage,
- $50,000 for bodily injury and death to two or more people killed or injured in a car accident.
The at-fault party’s insurance company is responsible to pay for your damages up to the policy limits.
However, they will try to reduce their liability by undermining the value of your claim.
You can negotiate for a car accident settlement with a chiropractor and other medical bills, pay stubs, witness testimony, and other evidence you would present at trial.
If you agree to an insurance settlement, you typically waive your right to pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
However, if the insurance company will not agree to a reasonable settlement amount or if the policy limits are too low to cover your damages, you might choose to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party to recover compensation.
Personal Health or Car Insurance
If you have health insurance, you can file a claim to cover your chiropractor expenses.
But keep in mind that you may need to reimburse the insurance company for payments made to your chiropractor after you get a car accident settlement.
If the at-fault party is underinsured, your uninsured/underinsured motorist policy may cover medical treatments stemming from the accident, including chiropractor bills, that exceed the at-fault party’s policy limits.
No matter who pays for a chiropractor after an accident, you should hire an experienced attorney to help you.
How Do You Prove the Other Party Was at Fault for Your Accident?
The most common legal theory in a car accident claim is negligence. A negligence claim requires you to prove four elements:
- The other driver owed you a legal duty to drive reasonably,
- The driver breached their duty,
- The driver’s breach of duty is what caused your accident, and
- You suffered measurable harm from the accident.
You have the burden of proving all these elements with the evidence you collect.
Get an attorney’s opinion on your chances of success and the amount you can expect to recover.
Contact Fob James Law Firm, LLC Today
If you suffer an injury in a car accident, do not hesitate to contact our attorneys at Fob James Law Firm, LLC.
You are entitled to seek medical and chiropractic care for your injuries, and we are here to support your recovery.
Our attorneys commit themselves to a 24/7 communication policy with our clients.
We will work hard to get you every bit of compensation you need to make a full recovery.
Fob James
Fob James obtained a B.S., in software engineering from Auburn University and then continued his education by getting his J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law. After working for a large regional firm for several years where he obtained awards for both individual and corporate clients, Fob found that his passion was fighting for individuals who have been seriously injured or wronged by others. Fob believes that the jury is the great equalizer to the power and influence that large corporations have in society.