Do I Pay for Physical Therapy After a Car Accident?

Posted on Mon Dec 14, 2020

The damage that a car accident inflicts can last long after the initial impact. If physical therapy is a necessary part of the healing process, determining who will cover the cost is essential. From insurance details to the circumstances of the accident, there are multiple factors at play.

To learn who pays for physical therapy after a car accident, read below.

DO I PAY FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT?

Back, neck, shoulder and knee injuries are common after a car accident. The chances of sustaining an injury during a car wreck are high. However, some types of injuries are serious but not easily identifiable at first. Physical therapy after a car accident is commonly one of the first types of treatment recommended by medical doctors.

DO I NEED PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR MY INJURY?

Physical therapy after a car accident supports the recovery process. Due to your car accident, you may experience pain, limited range of motion, stiffness, headaches and difficulty with daily activities. Physical therapy after a car accident can help you recover faster. Physical therapy can also prevent long-term damage. The sooner you receive physical therapy after a car wreck, the more likely you are to have a pain-free future.

A physical therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan to target your injury. Every exercise and stretch has a specific goal for recovery and improves function and mobility. Furthermore, physical therapy after a car accident can also help you avoid surgery. If you do require surgery, physical therapy is also important for supporting post-operative recovery.

Types of physical therapy include massage, manual manipulation, ultrasound, ice and cold therapy, specific exercises, targeted massage, stretching and aquatic therapy. It is a holistic approach to healing after being in a car accident.

HOW MUCH DOES PHYSICAL THERAPY COST?

According to Dr. David Peterson, DPT, with Dynamic Performance Physical Therapy, physical therapy sessions usually cost between $125 and $150 per visit, with patients often paying $20 to $30 in co-pays per visit, depending on their health insurance.

Usually, someone injured in a car accident can expect to attend physical therapy for 4 to 8 weeks.

Car wreck victims who have sustained permanent and severe injuries need lifelong physical therapy treatment. At a cost of $125 to 150 per visit, someone with a permanent injury can expect to spend thousands of dollars per year on physical therapy. This is why determining who pays for physical therapy after a car accident is important. In the next section, we’ll tackle that question.

WHO PAYS FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT?

If you have been in a motor vehicle accident and you were not at fault, the at-fault driver will be responsible for your medical expenses related to the car wreck. These medical expenses can include physical therapy costs or co-pays for physical therapy.

If the driver who caused the accident has insurance, his or her insurance should cover the cost of your physical therapy treatment. However, the at-fault driver's insurance carrier will not pay any medical expenses without a full and complete release of the at-fault driver. This process can take months or even years. Before settling with an insurance company, you should consult a skilled personal injury attorney.

HOW DO I SETTLE MY INSURANCE CLAIM AFTER A CAR WRECK?

Most importantly, you should always consult a lawyer before attempting to settle your claims against the at-fault driver’s insurance company. While each case is different, there are a few things you should expect.

The first step in settling your claim will be for your lawyer to set up the bodily injury claim.

Once you have finished your medical treatment, your lawyer will submit proof of your injuries and medical expenses caused by the car wreck. The value of your insurance claim will depend on the severity of your injuries and the medical expenses that you have incurred.

Every case is different. That is why it is important to consult with a lawyer before filing your insurance claim. You should not speak to any insurance adjusters until you have consulted with an attorney. Speaking with an insurance adjuster can be detrimental to your case.

In Alabama, car accident compensation, also known as damages, includes economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical bills, lost wages and car repairs. Noneconomic damages include pain and suffering. Pain and suffering might warrant mental therapy after a car accident, which can also be covered by health insurance.

Each category of damages should be considered and calculated when settling your car accident case. A skilled lawyer can help to collect the documentation and evidence needed to prove the severity of the damages.

HOW TO PAY FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY WHILE YOUR INSURANCE CLAIM IS PENDING

If you have health insurance, you should submit your medical expenses to your health insurance provider. Save all your receipts for any deductibles or co-pays.

Even though you are responsible for these amounts through your health insurance policy initially, the car accident settlement may include these out-of-pocket costs. You can be reimbursed for your out-of-pocket expenses when your car wreck case settles.

Many automobile insurance policies have medical payments coverage. This is coverage provided on your own automobile insurance policy.

Medical payment coverage amounts are commonly $1,000 to $5,000 but occasionally as much as $100,000. Medical payments coverage can be used to cover your out-of-pocket expenses that are not covered by your own health insurance. This coverage is provided by your automobile insurance carrier. The amount of your coverage will be listed on your declaration page. Take a look at the declaration page below to see what a typical coverage amount may look like.

CAR ACCIDENT VICTIMS WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE

If you are the victim of a car wreck and do not have health insurance, the stress from potential bankruptcy or the loss of your life savings over medical and hospital bills may affect you as much as your physical injury.

Do not panic. Instead, contact a Huntsville personal injury attorney immediately. In many cases, a lawyer can work together with medical providers who will treat injured victims without health insurance. This way, you can get the treatment you need, even without health insurance.

CALL A HUNTSVILLE CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER TODAY

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident due to the actions of another driver, you need the services of the experienced personal injury attorneys at Warren & Simpson.

At Warren & Simpson, our personal injury attorneys have represented thousands of accident victims.

Our car accident lawyers are experienced and capable trial attorneys who will give your case the attention that it deserves. We offer free consultations with no upfront costs to automobile accident victims. Furthermore, our lawyers do not charge a fee unless a settlement is reached or a verdict is rendered.

To learn how we can help, call us today at 256-539-7575 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation.