After being in a car accident, it's very likely that the people involved will require some type of treatment on their back or other extremities. Insurance companies, however, are going to have a lot to contend with if we factor in the amount that they'll have to pay to recover damages to vehicles or even public property. That's why, when it comes to health concerns, they'll typically want to get everyone involved to agree to a quick settlement.
If a person sustains serious injuries in a car accident, it's usually never in their best interest to agree to a swift settlement with the insurance company. The cash can seem great upfront, but the medical expenses that could start to pile up after the incident are going to make that pile of money run dry really fast. That's why it's very important to know what each person is entitled to after being involved in a car accident. Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys can provide more information on an average settlement for a car accident while pregnant Ohio as well.
Will the Insurance Company Cover Chiropractic Care?
That's going to depend on the settlement that each person reaches with their insurance company. It can also depend on the initial evaluation by the doctors that the potential settlement will be based on. Most people who are unwilling to file personal injury claims will unfortunately not be liable for chiropractic care.
It's not just going to the chiropractor that people who are involved in an accident should worry about.
The medical bills that they'll have to pay for any type of physical therapy are something that their insurance should cover. However, coverage will depend heavily on the settlement that each person reaches with their insurance company and how the accident is "labeled."
If a doctor concludes that the patient doesn't need to receive chiropractic care and that diagnosis is used as the basis for the personal injury settlement, the accident victims can be in a very position. Many times, these people end up paying out of pocket for chiropractic care because the practice is labeled more of a wellness treatment than actual medical care. This can keep car accident victims receiving the right type of care that they need.
What Does an Average Car Accident Settlement Cover?
Many people don't want to pay for extra coverage on their insurance policies. It's understandable; the rates for premium coverage can go through the roof, and they are simply not accessible to everyone. When an accident does occur, people with a policy that offers more extensive coverage are typically going to be better served.
In most situations, the insurance company is going to cover the damages to the vehicle. Since those are usually well-ironed out in these policies, it's not a major topic of debate. When severe injuries occur, such as spinal cord injuries, the person may reach the monetary limit of their coverage quickly.
Ohio law does allow accident victims to file a personal injury lawsuit and have the insurance company cover their expenses beyond the specified limits. When is it time to file a lawsuit? Is it even worth it to go through the trouble of filing a car accident lawsuit to obtain chiropractic care?
Filing a Personal Injury Claim to Have Chiropractic Care Covered
Some policies are going to cover chiropractic care after motor vehicle accidents, and there's actually a pretty clear reason why that's the case. In many situations, medical expenses can go down if a person is able to recover after receiving treatment from a chiropractor. Most of the time insurance companies want is to pay for expensive surgery and post-op therapy.
What the insurance company may be looking at, though, is how much time a person may be unable to work because of their injuries. That may be another issue that comes creeping in, and that's why anyone who's on the hook to pay for any damages is going to want to settle the matter quickly.
People who are involved in car accidents and sustain serious bodily injury are going to want to file a claim early. These negotiations, whether they ultimately reach a long, drawn-out court case or not, do take time. Insurance companies are usually counting on that to get people to take a lower settlement.
Maybe chiropractic care is not going to be at the top of the list of priorities in this type of situation. Most people won't necessarily file a personal injury claim because they want to get their therapy covered.
However, as mentioned, going through the process early is going to give them leverage over the insurance company that will be looking to pay as little as possible in all scenarios.
Is it Easy to Get an Insurance Company to Cover Chiropractic Services as Part of a Car Accident Claim?
Chiropractic care isn't necessarily something that insurance companies would be opposed to in potential negotiations. As mentioned, however, the company would be running the numbers to ensure that what could be a conservative approach to treatment makes sense financially. In certain personal injury cases, these companies will have to pay the victims for lost wages after an accident.
If that happens, it could be in the best interest of the insurance company to pay for surgery and then have a doctor claim that the patient has reached the maximum medical recovery possible. That could save them time fighting the case and potentially money down the line.
It's not that insurance companies are for or against chiropractors. Everything in the process to these companies is a negation; as mentioned, the goal from that end is going to be to spend as little money as possible. If having an injured person see a chiropractor doesn't accomplish that goal, then it could be a contentious issue, no matter how odd that may seem from the outside looking in.
How Long Do Personal Injury Cases Take to Resolve?
To be able to reach a personal injury settlement when, in essence, the entire legal process runs its course, these cases can take up to two years. Each personal injury case is unique, so this doesn't mean that all of these car accident settlements take so long.
Is it worth it to drag out a case for that long? It really depends on the amount of contentious points that are on the line. People who are fighting for lost wages, medical expenses, and potential property damages will typically see their cases take a bit longer.
When it comes to the amount of money in the average settlement for car accident cases in Ohio, that number is currently at about $300,000. This settlement rate can include the payments of medical bills and some of the other elements such as lost wages that were mentioned earlier.
Who Covers Expenses While the Case is Ongoing?
In most cases, any personal health insurance coverage that people have will cover those expenses. There may be some deductibles that will have to come out of pocket. Many insurance companies know this, and that's again why the representatives will come up with an offer early in the process.
When the limits of the coverage are creeping up on a person, that can be a really stressful situation. If the case proceeds and is ongoing, negotiations could occur to ensure that the person isn't left out in the dark without coverage.
Why Speaking to a Personal Injury Attorney Quickly After an Accident is Recommended
Speaking to an experienced personal injury attorney right after an incident is the best way to deal with car accident settlements. What speaking to an attorney can provide, first and foremost, is clarity on the situation and options to move forward. They can also provide insight on the average physical therapy car accident settlement Ohio. Sometimes, people take a below-average settlement because they have no idea what they are legally entitled to.
Some of the top auto accident lawyers in Ohio are going to offer the chance for a free consultation. That first meeting is essential to establish what the process towards compensation looks like. Once that's the family can go back and weigh their options to see what they want to do.
People who decide to file a claim are obviously going to greatly benefit from hiring a personal injury lawyer. This law firm or individual will be their eyes and ears and handle all of the negotiations that will be taking place in and out of the courtroom. Getting at least an average settlement out of the situation is more likely this way.
Final Thoughts
Looking at the average personal injury settlement amounts and hoping that that's obtainable in any situation may be a bit too optimistic. Each car accident is going to have a set of unique circumstances that will typically dictate the course of the legal battle. Anyone who is involved in a motor vehicle accident, however, can benefit from knowing their rights.
That idea rings even more true when the injuries sustained in the accident are severe. In many of these situations, time is not on the victim's side, and that's why it's essential to get legal help early in the process. Understanding that insurance companies are businesses, and their goal is to pay low rates is going to save many people from disappointment.
If the insurance provider isn't willing to provide fair compensation to a personal injury victim, the best way forward is to file a lawsuit. With the right help, better than average personal injury settlements are obtainable.