Compensation for Chiropractic Treatment After a Car Accident

Chronic pain is unfortunately common after car accidents, especially high-speed rear-end collisions along expressways like the Dan Ryan. However, securing compensation for chiropractic treatment after a car accident requires clear evidence and expert testimony that the chiropractic care was medically necessary.

Our attorneys will help you gather the proper evidence for your auto accident plan, showing that chiropractic care is a valuable element of your personalized treatment plan. Contact us today for a free consultation about your accident claim.

What Types of Car Accident Injuries Require Chiropractic Care?

If left untreated, car accident injuries can cause severe pain and reduce a person’s range of motion, resulting in a worse quality of life. Chiropractic care can speed up the healing process for certain common injuries, including:

• Muscle strains and sprains
• Whiplash and neck pain
• Spinal misalignment
• Soft tissue injuries
• Tension headaches
• Nerve pressure and sciatica
• Joint pain and stiffness
• Herniated or bulging spinal discs

After a car accident, it’s crucial to visit an emergency room for a full evaluation, then receive a referral for a chiropractor. Visiting a hospital like Rush University Medical Center provides an official document proving your injuries are connected to the traffic accident, which is crucial to securing a settlement.

Some hospitals in Chicago, such as Northwestern Medicine, operate their own chiropractic clinics, but many chiropractors practice independently and may not be covered by insurance. As such, many patients must pay out of pocket and may discontinue treatment due to the cost.

Under the Illinois Supreme Court case Baker v. Hudson, successful personal injury verdicts can be overturned if the person fails to follow their treatment plan. As such, it is important to seek chiropractic care quickly and follow all therapeutic exercises to secure compensation.

What Are the Benefits of Chiropractic Care Following Car Accidents?

Some individuals are hesitant to seek chiropractic care after an accident, afraid that it may lead to spinal misalignment or persistent pain. However, the National University of Health Sciences notes that chiropractic adjustments, in conjunction with post-accident care from a primary care physician, can be an invaluable part of a victim’s recovery plan. Some benefits of chiropractic care include the following.

Pain Relief

In 2017, the Journal of the American Medical Associationfound that spinal adjustments significantly reduced pain in patients. By restoring proper alignment to the spine and neck, chiropractic medicine can ease muscle tension, which reduces pain.

A report by Cleveland University-Kansas City found that patients who see a chiropractor report lower dependence on opioids, which can prevent long-term complications like substance use.

Mobility Restoration

Targeted adjustments can improve a patient’s range of motion. By relieving muscle tightness, these adjustments restore blood flow to the surrounding tissues. This reduces inflammation and accelerates recovery from soft-tissue damage.

Therapeutic Exercises

Chiropractic care can help patients recover more quickly from car accident injuries through therapeutic exercises. These are personalized based on the patient’s mobility issues and underlying injuries, ensuring they remain active and pain-free.

Non-Invasive Care

Non-invasive interventions, such as chiropractic care, can lead to faster recovery because patients do not have to heal from incisions or be monitored for post-surgical complications.

Another benefit of chiropractic adjustments is that they complement other treatment options, offering a more personalized path to recovery. Patients can consult a chiropractor, physical therapist, acupuncturist, or mental health professional to address their symptoms before determining whether surgery is a good option.

When chiropractic adjustments are combined with other non-surgical treatment options, like neurofeedback and mindfulness, patients have a lower risk of chronic pain or opioid dependency.

How an Experienced Attorney Can Help

Insurance companies will attempt to deny any medical bills related to treatments they feel are not strictly necessary, including spinal adjustments or therapeutic exercises.

A Chicago car accident lawyer serves as your legal advocate, ensuring that the insurance agency covers the full cost of your recovery plan. We will also secure unbiased opinions from medical professionals, explaining how chiropractic care can alleviate symptoms and reduce pain.

Our team will gather evidence showing that each of your injuries was directly caused by the car accident, including police reports, medical records, and expert testimony. Using this information, we will establish the other party’s liability, such as if the vehicle was exceeding Chicago’s 30 mph speed limit (9-12-070) or illegally overtaking a car on the right (9-36-020).

Additionally, our attorneys will accurately evaluate your economic and non-economic damages arising from the car accident, including medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.

The Illinois Supreme Court case Lebron v. Gottlieb Memorial Hospital removed the statutory cap on non-economic damages, meaning a jury can award whatever they feel is appropriate based on the person’s injuries. Our team can use your chiropractic care plan and pain diaries to demonstrate why you deserve higher non-economic damages for pain and suffering.

Illinois’s personal injury statute of limitations is two years (735 ILCS 5/13-202). Insurance companies often wait until the victim reaches maximum medical improvement to more accurately assess overall damages, which reduces the time available to negotiate. By working with an attorney, you can ensure that your case is filed before this deadline and that the case can proceed smoothly to the Circuit Court of Cook County if necessary.

Book a Free Consultation

Persistent pain or spinal injuries after a car accident can be debilitating, leaving victims overwhelmed by the legal process. A Chicago traffic accident lawyer from our team will manage your insurance claims and third-party negotiations, ensuring you can focus on improving your range of motion and enjoying your life again.

We are proud members of the American Association for Justice and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, having secured over $450 million in positive verdicts and settlements over the past 25 years. Our compassionate attorneys are here to explore your legal options, protect your rights, and help you heal without the burden of chiropractic care bills.

Thanks to our contingency fee, you pay no legal fees unless we win. Contact us today for a free consultation about your car accident claim.