A crash turns a normal day upside down. Between the tow truck, the rental car and the calls from insurance, your neck and back usually end up last on the list. In Florida, that delay can cost you, because the clock on your PIP benefits starts the day of the accident.
Here’s what PIP is, the two deadlines that matter most, and how to get started with us today, with or without an attorney.
What Is Florida PIP?
Florida is a “no-fault” state. Every driver is required to carry at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP). After a crash, your own PIP coverage pays first, no matter who caused the accident.
PIP generally covers:
- 80% of reasonable and necessary medical bills
- 60% of lost wages
- Up to your $10,000 limit
You may have heard that Florida got rid of PIP. As of this fall, it hasn’t. The repeal bills died in the 2026 legislative session, so PIP is still the law and still the first place your bills go.
The 14-Day Rule
To use your PIP medical benefits, you have to get initial care within 14 days of the accident. If you wait until day 15, PIP can deny your medical benefits completely, even if your injuries are real.
A chiropractic physician is one of the providers who can give that initial care, so coming to see us counts.
$2,500 or $10,000?
How much of your PIP you can use depends on whether a provider documents an “emergency medical condition.” With that determination, you can access the full $10,000. Without it, medical benefits are capped at $2,500.
Florida law doesn’t allow chiropractors to make that determination. Only a medical doctor, osteopath, dentist, physician assistant or nurse practitioner can. If your exam suggests you need one, we’ll point you to a medical provider who can evaluate you.
When PIP Isn’t Enough
$10,000 goes fast after a serious accident. If someone else caused the crash, a third-party claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance may cover what PIP doesn’t. We work with PIP, third-party claims and letters of protection, and we coordinate with your attorney if you have one.
How to Reach Us Today
Call 941-259-2229 or schedule online. Have these ready if you can:
- Your auto insurance card and claim number
- The crash report number, if police came
- Your attorney’s name and contact info, if you have one
- A list of what hurts and when it started
How We Get You Started
If you have an attorney: Give us their contact info. We’ll coordinate with their office, keep them updated with your records, and can work under a letter of protection.
If you don’t have an attorney: You don’t need one to use your PIP. We’ll open your PIP claim with your auto insurer and bill them directly. If your injuries go beyond your PIP limits or someone else was at fault, it may be worth talking with an attorney.
Either way: your first visit includes a full consultation, nerve scans, digital X-rays and a PostureRay report. You leave knowing what changed in the accident, and your records start building from day one.
Signs You Should Get Checked After a Crash
- Neck or back stiffness that shows up a day or more later (whiplash often does)
- Headaches, dizziness or trouble concentrating
- Numbness or tingling in your arms or legs
- Pain that makes sleeping or driving uncomfortable
- An adjuster already asking you for a recorded statement
If you have severe neck pain, weakness, loss of consciousness, repeated vomiting or a headache that keeps getting worse, go to the ER first.
Questions Sarasota Drivers Ask After an Accident
Do I need an attorney to see a chiropractor after an accident?
No. You can use your PIP benefits without one. An attorney becomes more important when another driver was at fault, your injuries are significant, or your bills may go past your PIP limit.
Will I have to pay out of pocket?
It depends on your policy. PIP generally pays 80% of your medical bills, and any deductible you chose applies first. The rest may be covered by other coverage on your policy or by a third-party claim. We’ll go over your coverage at your first visit so there are no surprises.
What if the accident wasn’t my fault?
Your own PIP still pays first. That’s how no-fault works. The at-fault driver’s insurance may then cover what PIP doesn’t through a third-party claim.
Get Checked After Your Accident in Sarasota
If you’ve been in a car accident, don’t wait to find out what changed. Schedule a visit with Dr. Alex Lee at Circadian Chiropractic & Sport, at the corner of 17th & Honore, or call 941-259-2229.
This post is general information about Florida PIP, not legal advice. Your coverage depends on your specific policy.