Auto Accident Recovery

After a car accident: your questions, answered

After a crash it is not always obvious what was hurt, and symptoms do not always show up right away. The evaluation is where that gets sorted out. Here is what Florida's PIP rules mean for therapy, what the first visits look like, and how the most common post-accident complaints tend to present.

What is Florida's 14-day PIP rule?

Florida auto policies include personal injury protection, or PIP. Under section 627.736 of the Florida Statutes, PIP medical benefits pay 80% of reasonable expenses for medically necessary care, up to a $10,000 limit, but only if you receive initial services and care within 14 days after the accident. That is why the first two weeks matter even when you feel fine: symptoms that surface later still need that first visit to have happened in time.

Who do I need to see first?

The statute names who can provide that initial care: a medical or osteopathic physician, a dentist, a chiropractic physician, an advanced practice registered nurse, a hospital, or the emergency crew that transported you. Physical therapy is follow-up care, provided on referral from one of those providers. So the order is a physician first, within 14 days, then a referral to us. If you went to an emergency room, bring that paperwork and our front desk will tell you what else is needed.

Is it $10,000 or $2,500?

It depends on a medical finding. PIP pays up to $10,000 when a physician, dentist, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse has determined that you had an emergency medical condition. If a provider determines you did not, reimbursement is limited to $2,500. That determination belongs to your treating provider, not to us, and it shapes how much therapy PIP can pay for.

What should I bring to the first visit?

Your photo ID, your auto insurance card and claim number, your adjuster's name and phone number, the referral from your physician, and any imaging or emergency room paperwork. If an attorney represents you, bring their contact details too. Call 561-624-4263 with the claim number and our front desk will check the coverage before you come in.

What do the first visits look like?

The first visit is a one-on-one evaluation of about an hour. Your therapist measures motion and strength and maps what hurts and when, and treatment usually begins the same day. Care starts gently, calming irritated tissue and restoring basic motion, then moves to strengthening and back to driving, lifting and work. Every visit is documented, so the record shows where you started and how you progressed.

Pain that showed up days after the accident

Even a minor collision can leave lasting pain, and symptoms often surface days later rather than at the scene. That delay is normal, and it is the reason early evaluation matters. Care starts gently, calming irritated tissue and restoring basic motion before anything is loaded.

Whiplash and a stiff, sore neck

Whiplash and neck injuries are a common reason people come to us after a collision, and neck pain responds well to skilled physical therapy. Care usually combines gentle manual therapy, deep neck strengthening and posture work, and most patients notice meaningful change within the first few weeks of consistent care. More on our neck pain treatment page.

Headaches that started after the crash

Many headaches start in the neck rather than the head, and headaches after whiplash are among those we treat. When the neck is the driver, treating the upper neck joints and the muscles around them can reduce how often they come and how hard they hit. See headache treatment.

Back pain from the impact

Back and spine injuries after a crash are treated the way we treat any back pain. Treatment blends hands-on work to restore mobility, core and hip strengthening, and movement retraining so everyday activity stops provoking the pain. See back pain treatment.

Nervous about moving normally again

Being wary of driving, lifting or turning your head after a crash is common, and it is part of what we treat. The plan progresses at a pace you can trust, from basic motion to full return to daily activity.

The documentation your claim needs

We document your recovery objectively from the first visit and communicate with your physician and your representatives as your claim requires. For auto accident cases we work directly with your adjuster or attorney’s office, and treatment is built around what your case actually has to demonstrate.

Will insurance cover it?

PIP is the coverage the Florida rules above describe, and your plan may add other coverage on top. The quickest way to find out what applies is to call the front desk at 561-624-4263. They will check before you come in. More in our insurance and cost FAQ.

Do you give legal advice?

No. We are a therapy clinic, not a law office. We can explain the PIP rules as the statute states them and, with your written permission, share your records with your adjuster or attorney. Questions about fault, a claim, a settlement or a denied bill belong with a Florida attorney.

Source

1. 2026 Florida Statutes, section 627.736: PIP medical benefits, the 14-day requirement, who may provide initial and follow-up care, and the $10,000 and $2,500 limits.

This page is general information, not legal, medical or insurance advice. It reflects the 2026 Florida Statutes, and the law can change. For questions about your claim, talk to your insurer or a Florida attorney.