Please accept this week’s blog entry as a discussion of whether you are required to see a chiropractor after an accident in order to have a personal injury case.
Chiropractors have become extremely popular with people in South Florida after people have been in an accident. I believe this is for several reasons. First, the most common injury is neck and back injuries and chiropractors specialize in those injuries. Further, chiropractors have marketed the accident cases much better than medical doctors. Third, chiropractor are much more user friendly. They often times have weekend hours to treat patients and will see patients until 6 pm or even 8 pm at night whereas the medical doctors hours are much more restrictive. Lastly, many people believe that the are “required” to go to a chiropractor in order to have a personal injury case.
You are NOT required to see a chiropractor in order to have a personal injury case for a car accident. Now, to be entitled to non-economic damages (pain and suffering and the like) in a car accident, the injured victim must prove death, significant scarring, permanent disfigurement or a permanent injury (the permanent injury threshold is the most commmon way accident victims seek pain and suffering). Generally, to prove a permanent injury you need some form of medical testimony. Chiropractors generally could help you prove a permanent injury. However, a medical doctor could also help prove this as could a doctor of osteopathics, an acupuncturist and any other licensed physician.
So again, a chiropractor is not required in order to have a personal injury case following a car accident; however, many people treat with chiropractors following car accidents and that is allowed under our legal system.
If you have any questions, please call us at 561-483-9199; 954-755-2120 or 305-981-1561 for a free consultation. We only charge fees if we recover money for you. We help our clients get their car fixed following an accident when we represent them for their injuries.
