Bridging the medical-legal gap

FAQs

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How does AAIC help protect both my recovery and my legal case?

AAIC combines accident-focused chiropractic care, detailed medical documentation, diagnostic referrals, attorney coordination, and expert witness support when needed to help protect your physical recovery and injury claim.

Can untreated whiplash lead to long-term problems?

Untreated whiplash may lead to chronic neck pain, headaches, stiffness, muscle spasms, reduced mobility, and nerve irritation. Early treatment can help reduce inflammation and support better healing.

What injuries can be hidden after a low-speed collision?

Even low-speed crashes can cause whiplash, sprains, muscle damage, joint irritation, disc injuries, headaches, and nerve symptoms. A proper exam helps identify injuries that may not be obvious immediately.

Can I still be treated if I do not have an attorney yet?

Yes. You can be evaluated and treated even without an attorney. The first priority is identifying your injuries, starting proper care, and documenting your condition after the accident.

What should I do if I have a car accident?

  1. Help everyone to a safe place
  2. Don’t move your car unless instructed by someone in authority
  3. Assist the injured
  4. Call 911, Request police, medical and fire assistant as necessary
  5. Do NOT discuss the accident with anyone but police
  6. Turn on hazard lights and put out markers and flares as appropriate
  7. Exchange information with all drivers involved in the accident
  8. Get names, addresses and phone numbers of all witnesses
  9. Get photographs of vehicles and other objects involved. Include skid marks, if any, and full views of scene
  10. Write down everything the others involved in the accident say about it and everything you can remember as soon as you can

What symptoms should I watch for after a rear-end accident?

Watch for neck pain, headaches, dizziness, shoulder pain, back pain, stiffness, numbness, tingling, spasms, or reduced mobility. These may be signs of whiplash or other accident-related injuries.

Can a car accident cause a herniated or bulging disc?

Yes. Crash forces can injure spinal discs, causing bulging or herniated discs. Symptoms may include neck pain, back pain, sciatica, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs.

Should I get checked even if I only feel mild pain?

Yes. Mild pain can be the first sign of whiplash, soft tissue damage, joint injury, or disc trauma. Early evaluation helps identify hidden injuries before they become harder to treat.

What makes Dr. Quintero’s reports helpful for attorneys?

Her reports clearly describe accident injuries, clinical findings, treatment plans, diagnostic recommendations, and patient progress. This gives attorneys strong medical information to better understand and present the injury case.

How does the Deductible work?

Insurance companies have been permitted to offer an array of optional deductibles. In 1982 the Florida Legislature reduced the optional deductibles amounts to $250.00, $500.00, $1000.00 and $2000.00.

Under Florida Statute §627.739.(1) an individual may elect a deductible on PIP coverage to apply to the individual alone or to the individual (and dependent, relatives residing in the same household). This deductible does not apply to any other person covered under the policy (i.e., passenger who is not a dependent, relative, pedestrian or bicyclist). The amount payable by the insurance company when the PIP policy carries a deductible is computed by multiplying the total medical expenses by 80% and thereafter subtracting the deductible.

Can chiropractic care help if my X-rays look normal?

Yes. X-rays show bones, but many accident injuries involve muscles, ligaments, joints, discs, and nerves. Chiropractic care evaluates movement, pain patterns, and soft tissue damage that X-rays may not reveal.

What does it mean when a chiropractor serves as an expert witness?

An expert witness explains injuries, treatment, test findings, and long-term effects in clear medical terms. This can help the court understand how a car accident affected the patient’s body.

What is the difference between soreness and a serious injury?

Mild soreness usually improves within days. Pain that worsens, radiates, limits movement, causes numbness, affects sleep, or triggers spasms may indicate a more serious accident injury needing evaluation.

When are EMG or NCV tests recommended after an accident?

EMG and NCV tests may be recommended when symptoms suggest nerve damage, such as numbness, tingling, weakness, radiating pain, or suspected nerve compression after a motor vehicle accident.

How can detailed chiropractic records support my injury claim?

Detailed records document pain levels, examination findings, treatment progress, referrals, and diagnostic needs. In a car accident injury case, this helps show how the crash affected your body and recovery.

What are my Medical Benefits under PIP Law?

The personal injury protection (PIP) law Florida Statute (§627.736(1)), requires every insurance company writing PIP policies to pay the following benefit after an auto accident:

80% of all reasonable expenses for necessary medical, surgical, X-ray, dental and rehabilitation service including prosthetic devices and necessary ambulance, hospital and nursing services. Such benefits shall include necessary remedial treatment and services recognized and permitted under the law of this state for an injured person who relies upon spiritual means through prayer alone for healing, in accordance with his religious beliefs.

How long does recovery usually take after a car accident injury?

Recovery depends on the injury, your health, diagnostic findings, and treatment consistency. Some patients improve in weeks, while disc injuries, whiplash, nerve symptoms, or severe soft tissue damage may take longer.

How does Medical Payment Coverage work?

Medical Payment Coverage is separate and distinct from PIP benefits whereas the PIP benefits will pay only 80% of the incurred medical expenses. Medical Payment Coverage will pay the remaining 20% of the incurred medical expenses. Should the PIP coverage be exhausted the full $10,000.00 being paid, the medical payment coverage will begin paying 100% of the incurred medical expenses until such coverage is exhausted. Medical pay is optional.  It is like gap insurance for your car.

What are Independent Medical Examinations (IME)?

Whenever the physical or mental condition of the insured is “material” to any claim for benefits the insurance company can require the patient to submit to an Independent Medical Examinations (IME).

Unlike cases involving liability insurance, PIP insurance companies select physicians of their choice. It is important to note that the right of the insurance company to obtain such exams is an integral part of the No-Fault Law. Accordingly, the patient/insured’s refusal to submit to a PIP independent medical exam (even when such refusal is on the advise of counsel) may constitute a material breach of the insurance contract. This will release the insurance company from further liability for payment.

What is Chiropractic Treatment?

The doctor of chiropractic is a specialist in spinal musculoskeletal disorders. He or she is expertly trained to diagnose and treat the many musculoskeletal injuries that may occur in an accident or in your daily life. Upon injury the individual often alters the normal position or flexibility of the spinal vertebrae. Chiropractic treatment is designed to restore normal alignment and thus minimize pain and suffering. Gentle manipulative therapy or “adjustment” is often effective in rapidly returning the injured person to a productive status. The doctor of chiropractic can also provide guidance with advice designed to reduce work-related injuries, proper lifting procedures and therapeutic stretching exercises.

Can I receive treatment if I already have an attorney?

Yes. AAIC works with patients who already have personal injury attorneys. With your permission, the office can provide treatment updates, medical records, reports, and documentation needed for your case.

Can Dr. Quintero communicate directly with my personal injury attorney?

Yes. With patient authorization, Dr. Quintero can coordinate with your personal injury attorney by providing medical records, treatment updates, diagnostic findings, and documentation related to your accident injuries.

What You Should Know If You Have Been Involved In An Auto Accident?

Some auto accident injuries are hidden and are seldom detected for months or even years. As a result things can occur when an injury is not taken care of properly or the accident victims settle their case with the insurance companies before getting evaluated by a doctor trained in soft tissue injuries. This could be a big mistake. Why? Because you lose the right to have your insurance company pay for treatment if you need it. A good rule of thumb is to be informed of your rights and then make a decision. It is our position that if you were indeed injured you should get the care you need to get back to the way you felt and functioned just before the accident.

It is not the responsibility of the insurance company to pay for anything more than that. They are not responsible for preexisting injuries only the injuries sustained from the accident. Even if you are just sore you should get checked out immediately because you may experience pain, numbness, headaches, muscle stiffness, fatigue, and other problems including arthritis many months down the road. Remember nothing is more important than your health especially when you start to lose it.

What should I bring to my first appointment after a crash?

Bring your photo ID, auto insurance information, accident report if available, attorney information if applicable, prior medical records, imaging results, and a list of symptoms since the crash.

What should I NOT DO in a car accident?

  1. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. It can be used against you later on. You want to control your case and the release of information. Insurance companies must ask you for your permission in order to record an interview.
  2. Do not make friendly conversation with the adjuster. Stick to business only and only tell them the “Who”, “What”, “When”, and “Where” not the “How”. Keep your answers short use “Yes” and “No”.
  3. Do not give out information about your family or let them know who your doctors are.
  4. Do not sign a medical release. Federal law protects your medical records. The insurance companies may use this release to dig through all your medical history even things not related to the car accident.