Treating Accident Injuries Since 2000 · PIP Accepted · 180+ Five-Star Google Reviews
Florida law gives you 14 days from the date of your accident to be seen, or you forfeit your PIP benefits entirely. TriMed Spine & Joint evaluates, treats, and documents auto injuries at four South Florida offices, with same-day appointments available.
The 14-Day Rule: Why Timing Matters
Under Florida Statute § 627.736, you must receive initial medical care within 14 days of a motor vehicle accident to qualify for Personal Injury Protection benefits. There are no exceptions for delayed symptoms. If you are not seen within that window, your insurer can deny coverage for accident-related care entirely.
Understanding Florida’s EMC Rule — and Your Full PIP Benefits
Florida PIP provides up to $10,000 in medical benefits, but only if a qualified provider determines you have an Emergency Medical Condition. Under current Florida law, a chiropractic physician can provide the initial care that satisfies the 14-day rule, but cannot make the EMC determination. Without it, benefits are capped at $2,500.
TriMed Spine & Joint has medical physicians on staff alongside chiropractic care. Your initial evaluation, your EMC determination (if medically indicated), and your ongoing treatment can all happen at the same practice, on the same record.
What to Do After an Accident
Schedule An Appointment
If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident you will need to make an appointment. The examination is brief but thorough. Often, individuals involved in motor vehicle accidents experience minimal or no symptoms for the first few weeks and even months. It’s important to receive immediate and appropriate treatment for any injuries sustained. It is just as important to document the extent of the injuries if present.
You may fail to obtain a timely evaluation or appropriate treatment for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. That may negate your ability to receive monetary compensation for any future medical bills resulting from the accident. It may also negate your ability to receive pain and suffering settlements. Compensation for work loss can be negated as well.
We Will Determine…
When you come in, we will determine:
- The extent of the injury or injuries
- The number of estimated treatments required to treat your injuries
- If referral to another medical specialist is required
- If special tests are required (i.e. MRI, CT Scan, etc.)
- If you need to take “injury time off” from work
- Whether you need a note to present to your employer
COMMON INJURIES AND SYMPTOMS
Motor vehicle accidents can result in a number of very diverse and complex injuries and symptoms. This is due to the diversity of factors involved with each MVA. These include the vectors of the collision and the size of the vehicles involved. Preexisting health conditions of victims also matter, as do their age, size and strength.
The following list comprises many of the most commonly sustained injuries and symptoms following MVA’s:
- Whiplash
- Headaches
- Back Pain
- Head Injuries and Associated Symptoms
- Extremity Pain, Numbness, Tingling
- Factors Influencing Injury Tolerance
Auto Accident Care — Frequently Asked Questions
Even low-speed collisions transfer significant force through the body. The most common injuries we see are whiplash and other neck injuries, back injuries including disc damage, shoulder and joint injuries from bracing or seatbelt forces, and concussion — which can occur even without a direct blow to the head. Some injuries are obvious immediately; many are not.
Yes. Feeling fine right after a crash is common — adrenaline can mask pain for hours or days, and whiplash and concussion symptoms often first appear 24–72 hours later. There’s also a legal reason: Florida’s PIP law requires you to receive medical treatment within 14 days of the accident to protect your insurance benefits. An evaluation is worth doing even if you feel fine.
As soon as possible — ideally within days. Medically, early evaluation catches injuries before they stiffen and worsen. Legally, Florida Statute § 627.736 requires initial treatment within 14 days of a motor vehicle accident for PIP benefits to apply. We offer same-day appointments for accident patients so the deadline is never the reason you miss care.
Yes — accident injuries are a core focus of our practice. Our multi-specialty team of chiropractic physicians, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons, and interventional pain specialists treats whiplash, back and neck injuries, and concussion under one roof, with same-day appointments available and full documentation for your PIP claim.
In most cases, yes. Florida drivers carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which pays for accident-related medical care when treatment begins within the 14-day window. We bill PIP directly, and we coordinate medical documentation with your attorney’s office when you have one. You do not need an attorney to be treated.
Yes. Post-accident headaches, dizziness, and brain fog can signal a concussion — even if you never hit your head. We offer objective concussion screening, including EyeBox eye-tracking technology, which measures eye movement to help assess brain function without radiation.
Treatment depends on your injuries and starts with a thorough evaluation. Depending on findings, care may include chiropractic treatment, physical rehabilitation, interventional pain procedures, and — for the cases that truly need it — consultation with our on-staff orthopedic surgeons. Every non-surgical option is exhausted first.
After a Collision: Two Things That Get Missed
Head injury is frequently overlooked after a crash. Symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, light sensitivity or feeling “off” are easy to attribute to stress. EyeBOX testing provides an objective measure of eye movement and the nerves controlling it. This can identify signs of brain injury that a standard examination may not pick up.
The psychological effects of a serious accident are equally real. Our post-traumatic counseling is delivered by a licensed clinical social worker. That side of recovery can be addressed alongside the physical injuries.
The Insurance Research Council has studied this. Nearly 1/3 of all claimants injured in motor vehicle accidents (MVA’s) seek treatment from doctors of chiropractic. This is an impressive number. The National Safety Council (NSC) has determined there to be more than 12 million MVA’s annually. Those involve more than 20 million vehicles.
The reason individuals like yourself choose chiropractic care after an MVA is simple. Chiropractic care is exceptional in the treatment of soft tissue injuries, especially of the spine. The most common injuries associated with MVA’s are sprains and strains of the spinal muscles and ligaments. It’s only natural that chiropractic be the treatment of choice.
Many studies have also found individuals injured in MVA’s prefer chiropractic care for the treatment of their injuries. One such study evaluated 190 whiplash injury victims and found those who received chiropractic care reported treatment satisfaction of 100%.
AUTO INJURY-RELATED STATISTICS
Minimum Accident Speed to Cause Injury
Studies involving live humans have demonstrated something surprising. A motor vehicle accident of as little as 5 mph can induce cervical (neck) injury. However, other studies have shown that cars can often withstand crashes of 10 mph or more without sustaining damage.
Time for Symptoms to Present
Symptoms arising from injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents were once thought to present immediately following the accident. However, research and clinical experience now demonstrate that a delay in symptom onset seems to be the norm. Also, delay of symptom onset does not eliminate the possibility of severe injury.
Number of Disabilities from Automobile Accidents
Most experts have found that 10 percent of all motor vehicle accident victims become disabled.
Symptom Resolution Statistics
Many studies have followed patients after a motor vehicle accident. They found a significant number of individuals symptomatic for many months and even years. In one such study, 75 percent of individuals remained symptomatic 6 months after the accident.
Another study was published in the European Spine Journal. It looked at the period between the first and second years following a motor vehicle accident. Over 20 percent actually had their symptoms worsen.
Number of Annual Motor Vehicle Accidents
According to the National Safety Council (NSA), there are more than 12 million motor vehicle accidents annually. Those include more than 20 million vehicles. This results in over 5 million nonfatal accidents annually. Approximately 2 million of those are disabling injuries. That includes approximately 1 million work-related auto-disabling injuries.
Injury Severity in Motor Vehicle Accidents
A 1990 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study found something notable. About 28 percent of occupants in motor vehicle accidents incur minor to moderate injuries. Another 6 percent incur severe to fatal injuries.
Likelihood of being Involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident
The US Department of Transportation has estimated the risk. The typical driver will have a near automobile accident one to two times per month. All drivers will be in a collision of some type on average every 6 years.
Annual Costs of Motor Vehicle Accidents
A report released back in 1993 looked at the cost. The total costs for motor vehicle accidents in the US were over $333 billion in 1988.
Who Pays for Injuries Sustained in Motor Vehicle Accidents?
According to the Insurance Research Council,
63 percent of injuries are paid for by the injured individuals’ own automobile insurance company
55 percent of injuries are paid by the auto insurance company of another vehicle
36 percent of injuries are paid for by health insurance
20 percent of injuries are paid for by government programs
19 percent of injuries are paid workers’ compensation insurance
Almost 60 percent of those injured were reported to have used 2 or more sources of payment.