(275+)When your vehicle collides with another on Pennsylvania roads, the immediate shock often masks the full extent of your injuries. Soft tissue damage, spinal misalignment, and muscle strain frequently emerge hours or days later. Many accident victims wonder if their car accident settlement with chiropractor expenses will provide adequate compensation for this specialized medical care.
The short answer is yes. Pennsylvania law recognizes chiropractic treatment as legitimate medical care following motor vehicle accidents. Your settlement should cover these expenses when properly documented and deemed necessary for your recovery. With the help of an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer, you will not only get a settlement for your chiropractic visits but also any other costs related to your injuries.
Pennsylvania’s Approach to Chiropractic Care After Auto Accidents
Pennsylvania operates under a choice no-fault insurance system, which directly impacts how chiropractor after a car accident settlement claims are handled. Under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1705, drivers can choose between limited tort and full tort coverage options when purchasing their auto insurance policies.
This choice significantly affects your ability to seek compensation for chiropractic treatment.
Limited tort coverage restricts your right to sue for pain and suffering unless you meet specific injury thresholds. Full tort coverage provides broader compensation rights, including comprehensive medical expense recovery.
The Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law mandates that all drivers carry personal injury protection (PIP) benefits. These benefits typically cover immediate medical expenses, including chiropractic care, regardless of fault determination.
What Chiropractic Expenses Are Covered in Settlements?
When pursuing an injury from a car accident chiropractor claim, several categories of expenses typically receive compensation coverage:
- Initial assessment and diagnostic services: Your first chiropractic appointment often involves comprehensive evaluation procedures. X-rays, physical examinations, and range-of-motion tests establish baseline injury documentation. These diagnostic expenses form the foundation of your treatment plan and justify ongoing care needs.
- Treatment sessions and therapeutic procedures: Regular adjustment sessions constitute the primary component of chiropractic care. Spinal manipulation, soft tissue therapy, and corrective exercises address accident-related injuries. Each session must connect directly to your accident injuries for settlement inclusion.
- Specialized equipment and modalities: Modern chiropractic practices employ various therapeutic tools. Electrical stimulation units, ultrasound therapy, and traction devices enhance treatment effectiveness. These specialized treatments often carry higher costs but demonstrate medical necessity for severe injuries.
Documentation Requirements for Philadelphia Area Claims
Successful chiropractic expense recovery depends heavily on thorough documentation. Insurance companies and opposing counsel scrutinize these claims, seeking gaps or inconsistencies that might reduce settlement amounts.
Medical records must establish a clear connection between your accident and chiropractic treatment needs. Emergency room visits immediately following your accident create important initial injury documentation. Even if emergency physicians do not identify specific soft tissue damage, their records establish the accident timeline.
Your chiropractor must maintain detailed treatment notes for each visit. These records should describe your symptoms, treatment provided, and progress measurements. Objective findings like reduced range of motion or muscle spasm documentation strengthen your claim significantly.
How Philadelphia Courts View Chiropractic Treatment Claims
Pennsylvania courts have consistently recognized chiropractic care as legitimate medical treatment.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has upheld the principle that accident victims deserve compensation for all reasonable and necessary medical expenses, including chiropractic services.
Recent decisions in Philadelphia County Court have emphasized the importance of treatment consistency and medical necessity. Sporadic chiropractic visits spread over extended periods may face greater scrutiny than concentrated treatment courses following established protocols.
Factors That Affect Settlement Amounts for Chiropractic Care
Several variables influence how much compensation you receive for chiropractic expenses in your final settlement:
- Treatment duration: Longer treatment periods typically indicate more serious injuries, but require stronger medical justification
- Treatment frequency: Regular appointments demonstrate ongoing medical necessity and commitment to recovery
- Symptom severity: Documented pain levels and functional limitations support higher settlement values
Your chiropractor’s professional credentials and reputation also impact settlement negotiations. Board-certified practitioners with extensive accident injury experience carry more weight with insurance adjusters.
Common Challenges in Chiropractic Settlement Claims
Insurance companies often employ specific strategies to minimize chiropractic expense compensation. They may argue that your treatment exceeds the reasonable duration for your injury type. Pre-existing conditions provide another common defense, suggesting your current symptoms stem from prior problems rather than the recent accident.
Gap periods in treatment create vulnerability in your claim. Extended breaks between chiropractic visits may indicate that your injuries were less severe than claimed. Life circumstances sometimes necessitate treatment interruptions, but documentation explaining these gaps helps protect your claim.
Maximizing Your Chiropractic Settlement Recovery
Early medical attention following your accident strengthens your entire claim, including chiropractic components. Prompt treatment demonstrates that you took your injuries seriously and sought appropriate care without delay.
Follow your chiropractor’s treatment recommendations consistently. Missed appointments or partial compliance with prescribed therapy can reduce your settlement value. Insurance companies interpret poor compliance as evidence that your injuries were minor.
Keep detailed personal records of your pain levels, daily limitations, and treatment responses. This subjective documentation supplements your medical records and provides valuable settlement negotiation material.
Why Choose Gibbons & Crichton for Your Philadelphia Car Accident Case
Our Philadelphia law firm has successfully handled hundreds of car accident cases involving chiropractic treatment claims.
Our Philadelphia car accident attorneys maintain current knowledge of Pennsylvania insurance law changes and recent court decisions affecting chiropractic treatment compensation. We review your medical records thoroughly, identifying documentation gaps that could weaken your claim before insurance companies discover them.
The insurance companies have experienced legal teams working to minimize your settlement. You deserve equally skilled representation fighting for your full compensation rights.
Contact Our Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers
If you have been injured in a crash and need chiropractic treatment, do not let insurance companies decide the value of your recovery. A car accident settlement with chiropractor visits included is possible, but only if the claim is handled with care and legal knowledge.
Reach out to Gibbons & Crichton today through 215-274-0173 for a consultation. Our Philadelphia car accident lawyers will work with your chiropractor and fight to ensure every part of your treatment is considered in your settlement. Your health should never be compromised because an insurer refuses to pay for necessary care.
