If you need physical therapy after a car accident, it typically increases your car accident settlement value. It can range from a few thousand dollars to over $100,000, depending on the specifics of your case.
Now, that’s a pretty broad range because settlements vary based on injury severity, the cost of medical treatments, and many other factors.
To give you an idea of how physical therapy will affect your claim, we’ll explore settlement amounts and timelines. We’ll also cover whether physical therapy is mandatory and what you need to do to secure the best possible settlement outcome.
Spoiler: The best thing you can do for your car accident injury claim is to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer from No Bull Law. Start with a free car accident case consultation to get personalized advice on the best way forward.
In a Texas car accident, the at-fault driver is responsible for any medical expenses the accident victims incur.
So, if you had to take physical therapy as a result of your accident, that would be included under medical expenses.
On average, motor vehicle accident cases settle for around $25,000 (provided a lawyer handles the case). But physical therapy can be very costly, and this can increase your settlement value.
For example, you could be prescribed three sessions a week for three months at $100 a session, adding $3,600 to the settlement value in medical bills alone.
However, the cost of therapy is just one part of the accident settlement. Here are a few other factors that can influence settlement amounts:
- Types of Damages: There are three main types of compensation that can make up a car accident claim.
- Economic Damages: These are direct financial costs like legal fees, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, and even things like transportation and childcare needed to attend physical therapy appointments.
- Non-economic Damages: You can be compensated for pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability, loss of quality of life, and other non-financial consequences.
- Punitive Damages: You may be awarded additional compensation in court if the at-fault driver acted with criminal negligence or malice (E.g., a drunk driving accident)
- Injury Severity: A severe injury usually leads to a higher settlement because it involves more medical treatment, recovery time, and potential impact on your ability to work.
- Insurance Limits: The settlement amount for a car accident victim can only go as high as the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage allows, so low policy limits might restrict how much you can get. However, you usually have other options if insurance can’t cover your damages. A lawyer can explain these to you so you can still access full compensation.
- Liability: Texas law considers comparative negligence. If it’s clear the other person caused the accident, you’re more likely to get a higher settlement. If you share part of the fault, your payout could be lower.
- Legal Representation: A study by the Insurance Research Council concluded that claims for driving accidents settle for 3 to 3.5 times more on average when handled by a personal injury attorney. They can help you manage all these factors, from clarifying what medical assessments and records you need for your case to disputing wrongful liability claims against you.
Looking for the best personal injury law firm to take on your Texas car accident settlement? Check out No Bull Law — No nonsense and no upfront costs.
Now, we’ve covered the effect on the settlement value, but you should also consider how physical therapy affects the settlement timeline.
Depending on the complexity of the case, car accident settlements can take a few months to over a year to resolve.
However, the bodily injury settlement process can take longer if you need physical therapy. Your car accident lawyer may advise you to wait until you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) before you settle. This is the point when you’ve improved your condition as much as possible through medical treatment.
Why wait?
You don’t always know how a car accident injury will develop and change over time. If you settle before you reach MMI, you could experience complications your personal injury settlement doesn’t cover.
But that doesn’t mean you have to pay your medical bills out of pocket in the meantime.
Many healthcare providers offer medical liens, meaning they’ll wait for payment until your settlement comes through.
There are usually other options, too, which a personal injury attorney can explain to you. They will also be able to give you a tailored estimate of how long your car accident claim will take to resolve.
The potential delay may feel like a reason to avoid physical therapy, but your recovery should be your top concern. Let’s explore the necessity of physical therapy treatments.
It depends on your injury.
Car accidents can cause lots of different injuries, from a soft tissue injury (like sprains and muscle trauma) to a traumatic brain injury. Not all injuries require physical therapy.
If you are prescribed physical therapy, you don’t necessarily have to go through with it, but this could damage your personal injury claim. If you don’t comply with medical advice, the insurance adjuster could dispute your injury and reduce your settlement offer.
On the other hand, some unscrupulous lawyers may want to increase your settlement (and their cut) by encouraging you to see a physical therapist when you don’t need to. This can lead to a lot of inconvenience and put you at risk.
If the lawyer can’t prove that you needed the treatment, insurance may refuse to pay, leaving you to cover the medical bills.
That’s why you should always use a trustworthy and caring Texas law firm, like No Bull Law, and seek a second medical opinion if you’re feeling unsure.
It’s vital to take the right steps after an accident to protect and strengthen your car accident case. Here’s how to get the best possible bodily injury settlement payout:
- Seek immediate medical care (even if you think your injuries are minor), comply with the doctor’s instructions, and keep a record of everything.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer to help you accurately total your damages, compile supporting evidence, and coordinate with the insurance adjuster.
- File a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company.
- Work with your car accident lawyer to evaluate settlement offers and negotiate for a fair accident settlement.
- If insurance negotiations fail, file a lawsuit to pursue the full compensation you deserve. Your lawyer can clarify your best options.
But remember, this car accident settlement process can be complex and drawn out.
Thankfully, every step is easier when you have an experienced personal injury law firm like No Bull Law in your corner.
How No Bull Law Can Help You Improve Your Car Accident Settlement Outcome
Our dedicated lawyers at No Bull Law give personalized attention to every client, bringing
years of experience to your unique personal injury case. We are passionate about helping every client achieve justice and fair compensation.
Here’s how it works:
- Reach out for a free case consultation to tell us a bit about your situation.
- We’ll assess your case details to determine the best course of action.
- If we take your personal injury case, we’ll gather evidence, negotiate with insurers, and fight for you in court if necessary.
You won’t pay a cent unless we secure a settlement or verdict for you — no need to worry about upfront costs. Instead, we take a percentage (33 to 40%) of your final settlement, but you can still expect to receive much more after the deduction that you would get without a lawyer.
Partner with the best. Contact No Bull Law today to work with dedicated Texas lawyers who fight for the justice and settlement you deserve.
