Auto Accidents
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are seriously injured, broken bones, cuts and bleeding or even worse, then go to the emergency room. If you can have someone drive you it is better, but if you are seriously injured go in the Ambulance.
Generally, if you are in an accident without serious injuries then it is best to come into our office. Chiropractors are better trained in helping individuals with their injuries. If you go to your regular MD they will not really do anything to help other than give you muscle relaxants and pain pills for your symptoms.
NOTE: Hospitals have just recently started seeing auto accident patients as a cash cow! They have started to do many unneeded tests and procedures. Unfortunately, when a person leaves the hospital, they have already either used much of their PIP or even exhausted their PIP completely. This leaves the patient with no real treatment. To get more coverage to cover your care, attorneys will need to be involved.
As soon as you can after an accident. It is best to come into our office that day or the next day if possible. Generally days 2-5 are the worst for pain, depending on the severity of the accident. The faster you get in the quicker the results and the better you will feel.
Even if you do not feel any symptoms, science shows that even 5 mph accidents can cause issues down the road. So it is best to get in even if it is just for a few visits to make sure everything gets cleared out.
NO! and No! The only reason your insurance will go up is if you are the cause of the accident. Your insurance can not be raised because you seek care after an accident. A portion of your monthly payment for insurance is for your PIP, personal injury protection and is what pays for your injuries from an accident.
Please note that in the state of Utah, by law, it is your insurance that gets billed whether you are at fault or not. Utah is considered a no-fault state. Because of this, laws require your insurance be billed. If you are not at fault, your insurance company will get reimbursed by the other insurance company who's driver is at fault.
PIP is that part of your insurance that pays for any injury sustained from n auto accident. In Utah, we have what is called no-fault insurance, so your insurance PIP is billed no matter who is at fault.
Utah requires $3,000 as a state minimum. However, for only $6 every six months, you can raise that to $10,000. It is highly recommended for you to have $25,000 in PIP, which only costs $15 more per six months.
WHY? Worst case scenario:
- Life Flight costs a minimum of $7,500
- Ambulance a minimum of $2,000
- Hospital ER visit can be anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000.
All of that is before any care and rehab can be done. That is why it is important to get a higher PIP. Just talk to your agent and it can be done very easily. But do it before an accident.
What To Do Right After Auto Accident
Report Accident
Even if there are no serious injuries, it is a good idea to call the police. You may need a police report to file a claim with your insurance company, even if it is just to make a claim for damage to your vehicle. The vehicles involved in the accident should remain where they are unless they interfere with traffic.
Document
Collect names, addresses and telephone numbers of all persons involved in the accident such as drivers, passengers, and witnesses. Obtain information about insurance for all vehicles involved in the accident. Take pictures of the vehicles if there is visible damage. Notify your insurance company as soon as possible.
Get Medical Help
Often, injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents are not immediately apparent. Most of our patients report feeling the most pain a day or two following an automobile accident. Even in accidents involving minor impact, you can sustain a serious and permanent injury to your spinal column. Schedule with our office immediately!
Injured in an Auto Accident
Know Your Rights
Did you know your insurance PIP will pay 100% of your claim with no out of pocket expense? Everyone who has car insurance has coverage and it is up to YOU how it is used.
It is important to get into our office as quickly as possible after the accident, this will speed up recovery, and decrease problems becoming chronic.
Being injured in an Auto Accident in many cases can be a very frustrating experience. Whether it is your fault or not, there are so many things that need to be taken care of.
The most important thing to do after an accident is to make sure YOU are properly taken care of. The car is important and can cause a lot of frustration dealing with insurance companies. But again, the most important thing to get fixed after an accident is YOU and those in the car with you.
Dr. Shane Watt has been helping patients who have been in accidents for more than 20 years. He not only can help you with your physical pain but he and his staff, know your rights and can help you through all of your insurance claims.
Please watch the videos on this page to help understand your injuries, how insurance works, and what needs to be done to get you better faster, and help reduce the stresses of the accident.
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