Auto Insurance Claims: Car Aciddent - Chiropractic Bills, help with injury claim

Question
Hi,

I was involved in a car accident with my 3 kids in NC, I was rear ended. The other party claimed responsibility and his insurance company paid for the damages $600.Their settlement offer was very low and said they will only pay for hospital bills.

However, the insurance company refuses to pay chiropractic bill of $800 for me and $600 for each kid.Do I need to file a law suit if they keep insisting not paying the chiropractic bills. Do I need to hire a lawyer for the court or not. I appreciate any advice.

Answer
Maisa,

  Sorry for the delay.  The insurance company is not responsible for your bills, it is the person that caused the accident.  Additionally, when one is in an auto accident, if you seek treatment from a chiropractor, it normally has to be referred by a medical doctor.  If you just go and get needless care, they don't have to pay for it.  The value of your claim is based on so many factors that there is no way I can explain it to you over a forum such as this.  

   If the insurance company is not playing fair, then your only two options are:

1.  Accept the offer from the insurance company  

or

2.  Fight for a better settlement offer up to the point of suing the negligent party

   I would suspect that you don't have enough evidence of the medical necessity for your chiropractic, and if you don't have proof you needed the treatment, then you may be out of luck.  As for the kids, it unusual for a chiropractor to treat kids under about 13 years old, there is a lot of evidence that kids that young cannot really benefit from chiropractic care, but again, I am not a doctor.  That is the reason you need a medical doctor's referral to physical therapy.  The insurance company surely has the ability to get a medical doctor to review the bills and make an opinion on the matter, and opinions can differ wildly in the medical community.  

   The best way to determine if your treatment was necessary (in my opinion) is to ask yourself if you would have sought the treatment if you knew there was no insurance coverage of any kind available.  Would you have?

I hope this helps!  If you need more information, don't be shy.  Information is always free at Petty Details, LLC.  

Regards,
JP