Go to the emergency room immediately if you have:

• Severe pain

• Broken bones

• Head trauma

• Cuts, bleeding, or loss of consciousness

If injuries are not life-threatening, a chiropractor is often the best first step after an auto accident.

Chiropractors are specifically trained to evaluate and treat accident-related injuries such as whiplash, soft tissue damage, joint injuries, and spinal misalignments. Our focus is on identifying the cause of your pain and helping your body heal—rather than simply masking symptoms.

Medical doctors often rule out emergencies, which is important, but typically do not provide ongoing care for musculoskeletal injuries beyond pain medication or muscle relaxers. Chiropractic care focuses on restoring function, mobility, and long-term recovery.

As soon as possible—ideally the same day or within the first 24–48 hours after an accident.

Many people feel “fine” at first, but pain and stiffness often peak 2–5 days later as inflammation sets in. Getting evaluated early helps reduce pain, speed healing, and prevent minor injuries from turning into long-term problems.

Even low-speed accidents can cause soft tissue and spinal injuries that aren’t immediately noticeable. An early chiropractic evaluation helps ensure everything is healing properly—even if symptoms haven’t appeared yet.

No. Your insurance does not increase simply because you seek care after an accident.

In Utah, auto accident injuries are covered through PIP (Personal Injury Protection), which is already included in your auto insurance policy. PIP is specifically designed to pay for medical care related to an accident.

Utah is a no-fault state, which means your insurance is billed first for treatment—regardless of who caused the accident. If you were not at fault, your insurance company is later reimbursed by the at-fault driver’s insurance.

Seeking chiropractic care after an accident will not raise your rates.

PIP is the portion of your auto insurance that pays for medical care related to injuries from an auto accident.
In Utah, PIP is billed regardless of who is at fault because Utah is a no-fault state.

How much PIP coverage do I have?

• Utah requires a minimum of $3,000

• For a small increase in cost, coverage can often be raised:

  • $10,000 PIP for a few dollars more every six months

  • $25,000 PIP is strongly recommended for better protection

Why higher PIP coverage matters

Medical costs add up quickly—even before ongoing care begins:

• Life Flight: $7,500+

• Ambulance: $2,000+

• ER visit: $1,500–$10,000

These costs can exhaust minimum PIP coverage very fast.

Important to know

PIP coverage must be increased before an accident occurs. If you’re unsure about your coverage, a quick call to your insurance agent can usually update it easily.