Will My Insurance Cover Physical Therapy After a Car Accident in Fort Lauderdale, FL?

Gregg Hollander | May 6, 2022 | Car Accidents

Will My Insurance Cover Physical Therapy After a Car Accident in Fort Lauderdale, FL?

After a car accident in Fort Lauderdale, you might require several types of medical treatment for your injuries. For example, a broken bone might require surgery and physical therapy. A neck injury may require a neck brace and physical therapy.

Physical therapy is a common element of treatment plans. Therapy can improve strength, reduces pain, and increases flexibility after an injury. If your doctor prescribes physical therapy, your PIP (Personal Injury Protection) insurance should cover some of the cost of treatment. If the other driver caused the car accident, you might be able to sue for damages, including the cost of physical therapy.

PIP Insurance Coverage for Physical Therapy After a Car Accident in Fort Lauderdale

Florida drivers are required to purchase no-fault car insurance coverage (Personal Injury Protection or PIP) in the amount of $10,000. PIP insurance pays up to 80 percent of your medical bills after a car accident. No-fault insurance covers you regardless of whether you caused the accident or the other driver was at fault.

However, there are limitations to PIP insurance. For example, you must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the date of the car crash. In addition, your medical provider must hold a valid Florida license. The Florida Board of Physical Therapy handles licensing and registration for physical therapists in Florida. 

Furthermore, your insurance company may challenge the need for physical therapy. If it believes the care was not medically necessary or the fees were unreasonable, it could refuse to pay the bill. Contact an attorney for legal advice if that happens to you.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim Against the At-Fault Driver

Florida law has an exception to the no-fault insurance laws limiting recovery for a car accident to PIP claims. If you sustain severe injuries, you might have a claim against the at-fault driver. If you can file a claim against the at-fault driver, you could receive compensation for economic and non-economic damages, including: 

If you file a personal injury claim, you do not receive any money until your claim settles. Therefore, you would be responsible for the physical therapy bills that PIP does not pay until you settle your personal injury case. 

However, if you have health insurance, your health insurance provider may pay the physical therapy bills that PIP insurance does not cover. When your case settles, you might be required to reimburse your health insurance provider for bills it paid related to the car accident. 

Subrogation Claims for Physical Therapy Bills After a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident

Most health insurance policies include a subrogation clause allowing the health insurance company to seek reimbursement from your personal injury settlement. 

For example, let’s assume your health insurance company paid $3,000 for physical therapy bills related to your car accident. When you receive your personal injury settlement from the at-fault driver’s insurance company, you must reimburse your health insurance company from the settlement proceeds.

If your physical therapist has outstanding bills, you also need to pay those bills from the settlement proceeds. All medical liens and subrogation claims must be paid before you can receive any funds from the settlement. 

Car accident lawyers negotiate subrogation claims and medical liens. The goal is to convince the health insurance company and medical providers to accept less than you owe to settle the claim. The result is more money in your pocket from your settlement proceeds.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Fort Lauderdale?

Call 911 to report the car crash and request emergency medical services. Then, wait for the police to arrive. If possible, document the accident scene by taking pictures, making a video, and asking witnesses for their contact information. 

Do not admit fault or apologize for the accident. Also, do not say you are “fine” or state that you are not injured. Instead, as soon as possible, seek medical treatment for your injuries. 

Follow up with your doctor and complete your medical treatment. It is crucial that you have medical records documenting your injuries for a personal injury claim. 

Notify your PIP insurance provider and file a claim for medical bills and lost wages. However, be careful what you say to your insurance company. Admitting fault to your insurance provider could be used against you if you sue the other driver for damages.

You may also want to consider seeking legal advice soon after the car crash. A car accident lawyer can assess your case and advise you of your legal options for recovering compensation for injuries and damages.

Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in South Florida

If you’ve been injured in an accident, please contact our experienced personal injury lawyers in Florida at Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today. We have three convenient locations in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.

We proudly serve Palm Beach County, Broward County, and its surrounding areas:

Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers – Boca Raton Law Office
7000 W Palmetto Park Rd #500
Boca Raton, FL 33433
(561) 347-7770

Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers – Fort Lauderdale Law Office
200 S.E. 6th Street #203
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 287-0566

Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers – West Palm Beach Law Office
319 Clematis St #203
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 556-7873