After a car accident, physical pain doesn’t always appear immediately. That nagging neck stiffness or persistent back pain might develop days or even weeks later, leaving you wondering about treatment options and how to pay for them. If you’re considering chiropractic care after an accident in California, a common question arises: Will the auto accident settlement cover these treatments?
The short answer is yes—but the process isn’t always straightforward, especially with recent changes to California’s auto insurance laws. Let’s break down everything you need to know about getting your chiropractic care covered after an accident that wasn’t your fault.
Understanding Car Accident Injuries That Respond to Chiropractic Care
Many accident victims don’t realize the full extent of their injuries immediately after a collision. The adrenaline rush can mask pain, and some injuries develop gradually as inflammation increases in the days following the accident.
Common Car Accident Injuries Treated by Chiropractors
Even seemingly minor collisions can cause significant damage to your musculoskeletal system:
- Whiplash: One of the most common car accident injuries, whiplash occurs when your head jerks forward and backward suddenly, damaging the soft tissues in your neck and upper back.
- Herniated or slipped discs: The impact of a collision can cause the cushioning discs between your vertebrae to bulge or rupture, putting pressure on nearby nerves.
- Soft tissue injuries: Muscles, ligaments, and tendons throughout your body can stretch or tear during an accident.
- Spinal misalignment: The force of impact can knock your spine out of proper alignment, causing pain and limiting mobility.
- Facet joint injuries: These small joints that connect vertebrae can become inflamed or damaged.
What’s particularly concerning is that these injuries can occur even in low-speed collisions—accidents happening at just 14 mph or less can still cause significant damage to your body’s intricate spinal structures.
Why Chiropractic Care Is Effective for Accident Injuries
Chiropractic treatment focuses on restoring proper function to your spine and nervous system without medication or surgery. This approach is particularly beneficial for accident victims because:
- It addresses the root cause of pain rather than just masking symptoms
- Treatment plans are customized to your specific injuries
- It promotes natural healing through proper alignment and reduced inflammation
- It helps prevent acute injuries from becoming chronic conditions
- It can restore range of motion and functionality faster than rest alone
Dr. Michael Freeman, a forensic trauma epidemiologist, found that nearly 40% of all patients with chronic neck pain attribute their condition to a vehicle accident injury. This highlights why proper treatment immediately after an accident is so crucial for preventing long-term complications.
California's 2025 Insurance Changes and Your Chiropractic Coverage
If you’ve been following California insurance news, you’re likely aware of the significant changes to minimum coverage requirements that took effect on January 1, 2025. For the first time since 1967, California has doubled its minimum auto liability insurance requirements through the “Protect California Drivers Act.”
How the New Insurance Minimums Affect Your Medical Coverage
The new minimum liability requirements in California are now:
- $30,000 for injuries to one person (up from $15,000)
- $60,000 for injuries to multiple people in one accident (up from $30,000)
- $15,000 for property damage (up from $5,000)
This change is particularly relevant for accident victims seeking chiropractic care because:
- More coverage is available: With higher minimums, there’s potentially more money available to cover all your necessary treatments, including chiropractic care.
- Better protection for serious injuries: The previous $15,000 minimum was often inadequate for covering comprehensive treatment plans, especially when multiple specialists were involved.
- Longer treatment periods possible: With higher coverage limits, ongoing chiropractic care that might be necessary for months after an accident is more likely to be fully covered.
However, these increased minimums also mean higher premiums for many California drivers, potentially leading to more uninsured motorists on the road—a factor that could complicate your claim if you’re hit by someone without proper coverage.
Insurance Companies and Chiropractic Care: Overcoming Common Challenges
Despite chiropractic care being a proven effective treatment for many accident injuries, insurance companies sometimes create obstacles to reimbursement. Understanding their tactics can help you navigate the process more successfully.
Why Insurance Companies May Resist Covering Chiropractic Treatment
Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and they often scrutinize chiropractic claims for several reasons:
Delayed symptoms: When pain and discomfort develop weeks after the accident, insurers may question the connection between the accident and your need for treatment.
Perception as “alternative” care: Despite being a well-established field, some adjusters still view chiropractic treatment as alternative or complementary rather than essential medical care.
Extended treatment plans: The multiple sessions often required for complete recovery can trigger resistance from insurers looking to minimize costs.
Pre-existing conditions: Insurers may attempt to attribute your pain to previous conditions rather than the accident.
A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic patients experienced significantly improved outcomes compared to those who only received standard medical care after an accident. Despite this evidence, you may still face resistance when seeking coverage.
How to Ensure Your Chiropractic Care Is Covered: A Strategic Approach
To maximize your chances of getting your chiropractic treatment fully covered in your settlement, follow these essential steps:
1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately After the Accident
Even if you feel “fine” after a collision, see a medical professional right away. This establishes a clear connection between the accident and any injuries that might later require chiropractic care.
2. Get a Proper Referral for Chiropractic Care
Ask your primary care physician or emergency room doctor to refer you to a chiropractor as part of your treatment plan. This medical referral strengthens your case for necessity of care.
3. Begin Chiropractic Treatment Promptly
The sooner you start treatment after your accident, the stronger the connection between the accident and your need for care. Don’t wait until the pain becomes unbearable.
4. Maintain Detailed Documentation
Proper documentation is crucial for securing coverage:
- Ensure your chiropractor clearly documents your diagnosis and treatment plan
- Keep copies of all diagnostic tests, including X-rays and MRIs
- Maintain comprehensive pain and symptom journals
- Save all medical records showing a clear line from accident to injury to treatment
- Document how your injuries limit your daily activities and quality of life
5. Follow Your Treatment Plan Consistently
Missing appointments or not following recommended care plans can give insurers a reason to deny coverage. Attend all scheduled visits and follow your chiropractor’s advice exactly.
6. Have Your Chiropractor Document Medical Necessity
Make sure your chiropractor clearly establishes that your treatment is:
- Medically necessary
- Directly related to injuries sustained in the accident
- Reasonable in scope and duration
- Expected to improve your condition
7. Consult with a Personal Injury Attorney Early
Having an experienced personal injury attorney on your side significantly increases your chances of getting all medical expenses, including chiropractic care, covered in your settlement.
Understanding How Settlements Are Calculated for Accident Victims
To advocate effectively for yourself, it helps to understand how insurance companies calculate settlements. Two primary methods are typically used:
The Pain Multiplier System
This common approach follows these steps:
- Calculate your special damages (medical bills, lost wages, property damage)
- Apply a multiplier (typically between 1.5 and 5) based on the severity of your injuries
- Add any additional economic damages
For example, if your medical expenses (including chiropractic care) total $10,000, and a multiplier of 3 is applied due to moderate injuries, you might receive a settlement offer of $30,000 plus additional economic damages like lost wages.
The Per Diem System
This alternative method:
- Assigns a daily dollar amount to your pain and suffering
- Multiplies this amount by the number of days you’ve suffered
- Adds this figure to your economic damages
The daily amount is often based on your income or another reasonable metric that reflects the impact on your quality of life.
The Impact of California's Policy Limits on Your Settlement
It’s important to understand that regardless of your actual expenses, an insurance company is only obligated to pay up to the at-fault driver’s policy limits. With the new 2025 California minimums, this means:
- Maximum of $30,000 for a single person’s injuries
- Maximum of $60,000 total for all injured parties in one accident
If your medical expenses exceed these limits, you may need to:
- File a claim with your own underinsured motorist coverage (if you have it)
- Pursue a personal lawsuit against the at-fault driver
- Negotiate with your medical providers for reduced payments
This is why having an experienced personal injury attorney is crucial—they can help you identify all possible sources of compensation.
When to Involve a Personal Injury Attorney for Your Chiropractic Claims
While some minor accidents might be handled without legal representation, certain situations strongly indicate you should consult with an attorney:
- Your injuries require extended chiropractic care
- The insurance company disputes the necessity of your treatment
- You’re receiving pushback about the number of chiropractic sessions
- The settlement offer doesn’t fully cover your chiropractic expenses
- Your injuries have resulted in chronic pain or disability
- The at-fault driver has minimum coverage that may not cover all your expenses
- You’re unsure how to document the connection between the accident and your need for treatment
At VIP Injury Attorneys, we’ve seen countless cases where accident victims initially thought they could handle their own claims, only to encounter unexpected resistance from insurance companies when it came to covering chiropractic care.
The VIP Approach to Ensuring Your Chiropractic Care Is Covered
At VIP Injury Attorneys, we understand that proper healing requires proper treatment—and that often includes chiropractic care. Our approach focuses on:
- Victory: We fight tirelessly to ensure all your medical treatments, including chiropractic care, are fully covered in your settlement
- Integrity: We provide honest assessments of your case and set realistic expectations about coverage
- Passion: We’re passionate about helping accident victims receive the complete care they need to recover
When injury strikes, medical bills pile up, working becomes difficult or impossible, and the future can feel uncertain. Don’t face these challenges alone. Our experienced team will handle the legal battles with insurance companies while you focus on healing and rebuilding your life.
Next Steps: Protecting Your Right to Chiropractic Care After an Accident
If you’ve been injured in an auto accident in California and are considering chiropractic treatment—or are already receiving it—here are the essential next steps:
- Document everything related to your accident and injuries
- Begin appropriate medical treatment, including chiropractic care, as soon as possible
- Follow all treatment recommendations consistently
- Keep detailed records of how your injuries affect your daily life
- Consult with a personal injury attorney before accepting any settlement offers
Remember, under California law, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, evidence tends to disappear, and memories fade with time, so it’s best to begin the process as soon as possible.
Need Help With Your Chiropractic Coverage After an Accident?
When injury strikes, life can turn upside down. Medical bills pile up, work becomes impossible, and the future feels uncertain. Don’t face this alone. VIP Injury Attorneys stand in your corner, every step of the way.
Let us help you fight for the treatment you need and the compensation you deserve. We offer a “No Win, No Fee” guarantee! So don’t settle for less than VIP treatment. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us take the fight off your shoulders. We’ll handle the legal battles while you focus on healing and rebuilding your life.
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