A chiropractor after a car accident: who pays
Short answer
- Most spinal manipulation is done by chiropractors, and it can help acute neck pain, the NIH says.
- In New Jersey, PIP pays licensed chiropractors for medically necessary treatment, whoever caused the crash.
- After the first 10 days, if a required insurer review is skipped, the bills can carry an extra co-payment of up to 50%.
Checked October 19, 2026.
Sources: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Spinal Manipulation: What You Need To Know (last updated September 2022); N.J.A.C. 11:3-4.2; N.J.A.C. 11:3-4.4(e); N.J.A.C. 11:3-4.7(a), (b), (c)(4); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4.3; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-5(g). Every fact cites a source
Health facts here come from the National Institutes of Health, not from a doctor who knows you. They aren't medical advice. If you're hurt, see a doctor. In an emergency, call 911.
What a chiropractor does
By hand or with a device. Most spinal manipulations are done by chiropractors, the NIH says.
In the past year, up from 7.4% in 2002.
What the research says
From the National Institutes of Health. Whether it fits your injury is a question for a doctor who has examined you.
Spinal manipulation can be helpful for acute neck pain, and manipulation or mobilization for chronic neck pain.
Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Spinal Manipulation: What You Need To Know (last updated September 2022)It may lead to small improvements in both pain and function.
Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Spinal Manipulation: What You Need To Know (last updated September 2022)Mild to moderate ones, most often more pain or discomfort, stiffness or a headache. Most go away within 24 hours.
Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Spinal Manipulation: What You Need To Know (last updated September 2022)Serious side effects are very rare. Manipulation of the neck has been linked to rare tears in the neck's artery walls, which can lead to a stroke. Tell the practitioner about your health conditions and medications.
Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Spinal Manipulation: What You Need To Know (last updated September 2022)NJWho pays in New Jersey
Whoever caused the crash, up to $250,000 unless a lower amount was chosen in writing.
Source: N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4.3; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-5(g)The PIP rules list licensed chiropractors among the health care providers whose treatment is paid as medical expenses.
Source: N.J.A.C. 11:3-4.2; N.J.A.C. 11:3-4.4(e); N.J.A.C. 11:3-4.7(a), (b), (c)(4)Consistent with your clinically supported symptoms and diagnosis, and in line with standard treatment protocols, including the state's care paths.
Source: N.J.A.C. 11:3-4.2; N.J.A.C. 11:3-4.4(e); N.J.A.C. 11:3-4.7(a), (b), (c)(4)Bills between your PIP deductible and $5,000 carry a 20% co-payment.
Source: New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, Auto Insurance New Jersey Buyer's Guide; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4.3; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-5(g)If you chose it, your health insurance pays crash medical bills first, and PIP pays what it doesn't cover, up to the PIP limit.
Source: N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4.3(d); New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, Auto Insurance New Jersey Buyer's GuideNJThe insurer's review in New Jersey
An insurer's approved decision point review plan sets points in treatment where the provider has to ask first.
- Not in the first 10 days, or for emergency careNo decision point or precertification requirement applies then.Source: N.J.A.C. 11:3-4.2; N.J.A.C. 11:3-4.4(e); N.J.A.C. 11:3-4.7(a), (b), (c)(4)
- After that, the provider asks firstAt the decision points the plan sets, for the treatment or tests it lists.Source: N.J.A.C. 11:3-4.2; N.J.A.C. 11:3-4.4(e); N.J.A.C. 11:3-4.7(a), (b), (c)(4)
- The insurer answers within 3 business daysIts decision has to be based on medical necessity.Source: N.J.A.C. 11:3-4.2; N.J.A.C. 11:3-4.4(e); N.J.A.C. 11:3-4.7(a), (b), (c)(4)
- Skipping it costs extraIf the provider doesn't ask where required, care given until it does carries an extra co-payment of up to 50% of the eligible charge.Source: N.J.A.C. 11:3-4.2; N.J.A.C. 11:3-4.4(e); N.J.A.C. 11:3-4.7(a), (b), (c)(4)
NJThe deadlines in New Jersey
- A PIP bill is overdueN.J.S.A. 39:6A-5(g)60 days after written notice of the loss and its amount
- Sue for an injury, in generalN.J.S.A. 2A:14-2(a)Within 2 years
Sources
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Spinal Manipulation: What You Need To Know (last updated September 2022)What spinal manipulation is, how many adults see a chiropractor, what the research says about neck and back pain, and the risks. Checked .
- N.J.A.C. 11:3-4.2Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School, New Jersey Administrative Code. Checked .
- N.J.A.C. 11:3-4.4(e)Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School, New Jersey Administrative Code. Checked .
- N.J.A.C. 11:3-4.7(a), (b), (c)(4)Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School, New Jersey Administrative Code. Checked .
- N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4Justia, 2025 New Jersey Revised Statutes. Checked .
- N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4.3Justia, 2025 New Jersey Revised Statutes. Checked .
- N.J.S.A. 39:6A-5(g)Justia, 2025 New Jersey Revised Statutes. Checked .
- New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, Auto Insurance New Jersey Buyer's GuideNew Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. Checked .
- N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4.3(d)Justia, 2025 New Jersey Revised Statutes. Checked .
- N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2(a)Justia, 2025 New Jersey Revised Statutes. Checked .
General information, not legal or medical advice. We don't know the facts of your claim. A lawyer can review them, and most injury lawyers offer a free consultation.
What to do next
- Next questionPIP denied, delayed or used up in New Jersey: what happens nextIf PIP is slow, says no or runs out.
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Questions people ask
Should I see a chiropractor after a car accident?
That depends on your injury, and it's a question for a doctor who has examined you. The NIH says spinal manipulation can be helpful for acute neck pain and may bring small improvements in low back pain. Serious side effects are very rare, but neck manipulation has been linked to artery tears that can lead to a stroke.
Does car insurance pay for a chiropractor in New Jersey?
PIP pays licensed chiropractors for medically necessary treatment, whoever caused the crash, after your deductible and co-payment. After the first 10 days, your insurer's decision point review plan can require the chiropractor to ask first.
What is decision point review?
The procedures in an insurer's approved plan for receiving and answering requests for proposed treatment or testing at set points in treatment. In New Jersey, the insurer has 3 business days to review a request.
What happens if my chiropractor doesn't ask the insurer first?
Where the plan requires a request, the care given until the provider makes it carries an extra co-payment of up to 50% of the eligible charge.
Is chiropractic care after an accident safe?
The NIH says mild to moderate side effects, like more pain, stiffness or a headache, often follow, and most go away within 24 hours. Serious side effects are very rare. Tell the practitioner about your health conditions and medications.