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Car accidents can result in various injuries, and one popular form of recovery is chiropractic care. If you’ve been injured in an auto accident in Virginia, you might be wondering who pays for a chiropractor after an accident. This guide will help you navigate how to get the insurance company to pay for your chiropractic care and explain how a Virginia personal injury attorney can assist you.
Will Insurance Pay My Chiropractor Bills After a Car Accident?
Yes, insurance will pay for chiropractor bills after a car accident if the injuries are directly related to the accident and if you follow the correct steps. There are a few factors for how these bills get paid while your personal injury claim is in progress:
At-Fault Party’s Insurance: In Virginia, the at-fault driver’s liability insurance should cover your medical bills.
Your Insurance Policy: If you have MedPay (Medical Payments Coverage) or Personal Injury Protection (PIP), your insurance can cover immediate medical expenses regardless of fault.
Health Insurance: Your health insurance might cover chiropractic care, but you may need to reimburse them once your personal injury claim settles.
Seeking Medical Treatment: Consult With A Chiropractor Soon After Your Auto Accident
After you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, seeking immediate medical attention is paramount. Even if car accident injuries seem minor, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional to assess and document any potential issues. In the case of chiropractic care, individuals may choose to consult a chiropractor early on to evaluate musculoskeletal injuries that might not be immediately apparent.
You will want to have all your injuries documented by a medical professional in order to prove that the crash caused the injury. Well-documented treatment will also help in the reimbursement process.
If you wait weeks or even months to receive treatment from the chiropractor, it will be extremely hard for your personal injury attorney to prove the injuries were related to the accident. All medical treatment for your injuries must also be completed before settling your case with the other party because any medical bills following the closure of settlement negotiations will not be reimbursed. (This is why having an experienced personal injury attorney is important to help guide you along the process).
If the insurance company disputes your claim, then the insurance company will often not pay your medical bills until the case is settled or taken to trial. Sometimes your case is not resolved until months, or even years after you received treatment, and those medical bills will not wait.
How can you cover your chiropractor bills while you wait for your personal injury claim to settle?
Covering medical expenses while waiting for a personal injury claim to settle can be challenging, but there are several strategies to help manage these expenses during the waiting period.
Medical Lien
You can get medical care immediately under a medical lien when you file a personal injury claim. Many Virginia chiropractors will work on a medical lien, which means that they will wait for the payment until your injury case is settled or until you get paid. When your claim is over, whether settled or by trial, you will have to repay the lien from the car accident settlement. A good attorney will let you know about all of the potential liens on your car accident case so there aren’t any unwelcome surprises when you get your check at the end.
Medical Payments Coverage (Medpay)
Medical payments coverage, which is also known as “medpay,” is an optional piece of coverage on your auto insurance policy that will promptly pay a portion of your medical bills, including chiropractic treatment, co-pays, and deductibles if you have been in an accident. You can easily find the medical payments coverage part of your policy by reading the main document you received from your car insurance company with all your coverages listed.
It is possible to have medpay coverage through your car insurance policy but not have health insurance. Coverage is relatively inexpensive, and most attorneys recommend it to their clients.*** It is important to note that “medpay” does not replace normal health insurance and is only used in the event of an accident.*
Having an experienced personal injury attorney who can guide you through the legal process, negotiate with insurance companies, and help ensure that your medical bills are considered in the settlement negotiations will alleviate the stress of wondering how these expenses will be paid throughout your healing journey.
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Dealing with the Insurance Company
It is important to avoid conversations with the at-fault party’s insurance company immediately after the crash. They will try to get statements from you in order to prove that any injuries were not related to the crash. You are not obligated to speak with the other party’s insurance company and speaking with them can harm your chances of receiving insurance coverage for chiropractor bills. Having a car accident lawyer can help you navigate these conversations and ensure you receive the coverage you deserve.
The insurance company might even offer you money early in the process before you fully recover. This offer should be rejected because if you take it, you will allow the other party to drop their responsibility to pay your medical bills for ongoing and future care.
**Depending on your policy, the health insurance company will pay all or a portion of your medical bills.** However, your health insurance is entitled to reimbursement for their contribution to your medical bills. Check your health insurance policy very carefully because you may be surprised to find you have to reimburse them for the medical bills once your case settles.
When Should You Call A Personal Injury Attorney?
You should call a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after a car accident. A Fairfax car accident lawyer can help you understand your rights, navigate the insurance claims process, and ensure you receive adequate compensation for your injuries. They can also assist in managing medical liens and dealing with insurance companies. No matter how severe your injuries, we suggest having a free consultation with an attorney to explore your options.
Reach Out to BenGlassLaw for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in a car accident and are wondering who pays for chiropractor after accident, contact BenGlassLaw. Our experienced Virginia personal injury attorneys can help you navigate the complexities of insurance claims and ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Reach out today for a free consultation about your car accident.
