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3436 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34239
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Sarasota, Florida?
Car accidents are stressful — even minor ones. In Florida, knowing what to do immediately after a crash can make all the difference in your recovery, both physically and financially. At Bretz Chiropractic Clinic in Sarasota, we help patients every day who are dealing with whiplash, neck pain, back injuries, and headaches after a collision.
Here’s your step-by-step guide to getting the care and protection you need — fast.
✅ Step 1: Call 911 and File a Police Report
Even if the accident seems minor or there are no obvious injuries, always call law enforcement. A police report is a key piece of documentation that insurance companies — and sometimes attorneys — will need later.
📸 Step 2: Document the Scene
Take clear photos of:
- Vehicle damage (yours and others)
- License plates
- Traffic signals or road conditions
- Any visible injuries (cuts, bruises)
This evidence supports your case if symptoms show up later (they often do).
⏳ Step 3: Seek Medical Care Within 14 Days
Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) law requires that you see a medical provider within 14 days of the accident to qualify for coverage — even if you don’t feel hurt at first.
At Bretz Chiropractic Clinic, we are licensed to provide the care and documentation needed for your PIP claim — no referral required.
🧠 Step 4: Pay Attention to Common Delayed Symptoms
Injury symptoms often don’t show up immediately. Watch for:
- Neck stiffness or pain
- Headaches (especially behind the eyes)
- Low back pain or muscle tightness
- Numbness or tingling in arms or legs
- Dizziness, fatigue, or trouble sleeping
If any of these develop, you likely suffered soft tissue or spinal trauma — and we can help.
🩺 Step 5: Get a Chiropractic Evaluation
As a Sarasota chiropractor with over 23 years of experience in auto injury care, Dr. Christopher Bretz provides:
- Orthopedic and neurological evaluations
- Digital X-rays (if needed)
- Personalized treatment plans including decompression, manual therapy, dry needling, and electric stimulation
We also handle all PIP billing and can coordinate with your attorney if you’re working under a Letter of Protection (LOP).
📂 Step 6: Keep Records & Follow Through
Keep all of the following:
- Police report
- Insurance info and claim number
- Doctor’s notes and visit summaries
- Photos and a written pain log
This documentation is important if you're filing a claim or working with an attorney.
🙋♂️ Why Choose Bretz Chiropractic After a Car Accident?
- Same-day appointments often available
- We accept PIP insurance and attorney liens
- You get care from Dr. Bretz every visit — no treatment mills or generic protocols
- Located conveniently in Sarasota on Bee Ridge Road
📞 Ready to Get Checked Out?
If you’ve been in a car accident in Sarasota, don’t wait for symptoms to get worse. We’re here to help you heal quickly, document properly, and navigate insurance with confidence.
📍 Bretz Chiropractic Clinic
3436 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34239
📞 Call: (941) 921-2225
🌐 Book Online at bretzclinic.com
Do I Need a Referral to See a Chiropractor After a Car Accident in Florida?
🚘 You Don’t Need a Referral — But You Do Need to Act Fast
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Florida, you may be wondering:
“Can I go straight to a chiropractor, or do I need a referral from my primary doctor?”
The good news is — you can see a chiropractor directly, and in Florida, you should do so within 14 days to protect your PIP (Personal Injury Protection) benefits.
At Bretz Chiropractic Clinic in Sarasota, we help auto accident patients every day recover quickly and document their injuries properly — no referral needed.
✅ Florida Law Allows Direct Access to Chiropractic Care
Under Florida Statute 627.736 (PIP law), you’re allowed to seek treatment from:
- Medical doctors (MDs or DOs)
- Chiropractors (DCs)
- Dentists
- Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners
👉 You do not need a referral to see a chiropractor for evaluation and treatment after an auto accident.
⏳ Why the 14-Day Rule Matters
Florida’s PIP law requires that you seek initial medical care within 14 days of your accident — or you risk losing your benefits.
That means even if you don’t have serious symptoms yet, you should still schedule a visit for evaluation. Many soft tissue injuries like whiplash, headaches, back pain, or numbness take hours or days to appear.
At Bretz Chiropractic, we’re trained to spot these delayed symptoms — and start treatment right away.
🩺 What Happens at Your Chiropractic Visit?
When you come in for your first appointment after a car crash, we provide:
- A detailed accident and health history
- Neurological and orthopedic testing
- Chiropractic examination and imaging (if needed)
- Same-day treatment (when appropriate)
- Customized recovery plan with home care guidance
- Documentation for your insurance and/or attorney
And yes — we bill PIP directly and accept Letters of Protection (LOPs) from attorneys.
🤝 We Work with Attorneys and Handle the Paperwork
If you’ve hired a personal injury attorney (or plan to), don’t worry — we’ll:
- Coordinate with your legal team
- Handle insurance paperwork and injury documentation
- Ensure that your care continues without delay
Even if you haven’t hired a lawyer, we’ll guide you through the insurance process and help you understand your options.
🧠 Why Chiropractic Care Makes Sense After a Car Crash
Emergency rooms are great for ruling out fractures or internal injuries, but they rarely address:
- Whiplash or sprain/strain injuries
- Misalignment in the spine or neck
- Muscle spasm, inflammation, or mobility loss
Chiropractic care is non-invasive, drug-free, and proven to help with soft tissue recovery — often the very issues that arise from rear-end or side-impact collisions.
📍 Visit Bretz Chiropractic Clinic — No Referral Needed
We make it easy to get the care you need after an accident — without the wait, paperwork hassle, or “referral runaround.”
📍 Bretz Chiropractic Clinic
3436 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34239
📞 Call: (941) 921-2225
🌐 Book Online at bretzclinic.com
✅ Accepting PIP Insurance & Attorney Liens (LOPs)
✅ Same-Day Appointments Often Available
✅ Bilingual Staff Available
How Does PIP Insurance Work for Chiropractic Care in Florida?
💡 Florida’s 14-Day Rule Could Make or Break Your Recovery
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, Florida law guarantees you access to medical care — even if the crash was your fault. This is thanks to PIP, or Personal Injury Protection, a required part of your auto insurance.
But many Florida residents don’t realize that chiropractic care is fully covered under PIP — as long as you act within a specific time frame.
Here at Bretz Chiropractic Clinic in Sarasota, we specialize in helping auto injury patients recover quickly while making the most of their PIP benefits.
✅ What Is PIP Insurance?
PIP (Personal Injury Protection) is a Florida-mandated auto insurance benefit that covers:
- Up to $10,000 in medical expenses
- Regardless of who was at fault
- For the driver, passengers, and even pedestrians
It pays for:
- Emergency medical care
- Chiropractic and rehabilitation services
- Prescription medications
- Lost wages (in some cases)
⏳ The 14-Day Rule: Why Timing Is Everything
Florida law requires that you seek treatment within 14 days of the accident, or you forfeit your right to PIP benefits.
This means:
- You do not have to wait for your primary doctor or a referral
- You can go directly to a chiropractor
- Even if you don’t feel hurt right away, you should still get evaluated
At Bretz Chiropractic, we help you get documented properly so you don’t lose coverage.
👨⚕️ Is Chiropractic Care Covered Under PIP?
Yes — 100%.
Florida law recognizes chiropractors (DCs) as authorized PIP providers.
This means PIP will cover:
- Chiropractic evaluations
- Manual adjustments
- Spinal decompression
- Electric stimulation therapy
- Soft tissue and rehab exercises
- Dry needling (in many cases)
✅ No referral is required.
💵 How Much Will PIP Pay?
- Up to $10,000 if the injuries are classified as an Emergency Medical Condition (EMC)
- Up to $2,500 if no EMC is determined
At Bretz Chiropractic, we:
- Evaluate for EMC status and refer for additional diagnostics if needed
- Provide documentation that supports full PIP coverage
- Handle billing directly with your insurance so you don’t pay out of pocket
⚖️ What If I Have an Attorney?
If you’re working with a personal injury lawyer, we also accept:
- Letters of Protection (LOPs)
This means we provide care now and get paid after your case resolves.
We coordinate care and documentation directly with your legal team to ensure your case is supported — and your recovery isn’t delayed.
🧾 What to Bring to Your First Appointment:
- Your auto insurance card
- Your claim number (if available)
- Driver’s license or ID
- Police report or accident summary (if you have it)
Don’t worry if you don’t have all of this — our team will help you organize the paperwork and guide you step-by-step.
📍 PIP Care with a Personal Touch – Bretz Chiropractic Sarasota
We know how confusing the system can be after a crash. That’s why we make it simple: fast appointments, clear answers, and personalized chiropractic care from Dr. Christopher Bretz, not a treatment mill.
📍 Bretz Chiropractic Clinic
3436 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34239
📞 Call: (941) 921-2225
🌐 Book Online at bretzclinic.com
✅ We Accept PIP Insurance
✅ Over 23 Years of Experience in Auto Injury Care
✅ Same-Day Appointments Often Available
What Injuries Can a Chiropractor Treat After a Car Accident?
📝 Blog Title:
What Injuries Can a Chiropractor Treat After a Car Accident?
🚑 You Don’t Have to Be in a Hospital to Be Injured
If you’ve recently been in a car accident — even a minor one — you may be feeling sore, stiff, or foggy, but unsure whether it's serious.
Here's the truth: most auto accident injuries are soft tissue or spinal, and many don’t show up on ER scans or X-rays. That’s why chiropractic care is often the most effective next step — especially if you’re dealing with whiplash, headaches, or back pain.
At Bretz Chiropractic Clinic in Sarasota, we specialize in evaluating and treating the most common post-accident injuries — and helping patients heal without drugs or surgery.
🧠 Common Injuries We See After Car Accidents
1. Whiplash (Cervical Sprain/Strain)
This is the most common injury after a rear-end collision. It happens when your head whips back and forth quickly, straining the muscles, ligaments, and discs in your neck.
Symptoms may include:
- Neck stiffness or pain
- Headaches (especially at the base of the skull or behind the eyes)
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
✅ We use spinal adjustments, manual therapy, and neuromuscular techniques to restore function and reduce pain.
2. Low Back Pain
Seatbelt compression, bracing during impact, and sudden deceleration can all strain the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints.
Patients often report:
- A deep ache in the lower back
- Pain that worsens when sitting or standing too long
- Muscle spasms or radiating pain into the hips or legs
✅ We use decompression therapy, core stabilization, and chiropractic adjustments to relieve pressure and restore movement.
3. Mid-Back and Rib Pain
The thoracic spine can be impacted during seatbelt restraint or airbag deployment, leading to discomfort between the shoulder blades or around the ribs.
You might feel:
- Pain when taking a deep breath
- Tightness between the shoulders
- Difficulty twisting or rotating your upper body
✅ Our treatment includes targeted adjustments, manual therapy, and guided stretches to restore flexibility and reduce inflammation.
4. Shoulder and Arm Pain or Numbness
Accidents often irritate nerves in the neck or shoulder girdle, causing symptoms down the arms.
Symptoms may include:
- Tingling or numbness in the hands
- Weak grip strength
- Radiating shoulder or arm pain
✅ We perform neurological testing to pinpoint the source and offer therapies like electric stimulation, soft tissue work, and posture retraining.
5. Headaches and Cognitive Fog
Even without a concussion, cervical injury and whiplash can trigger chronic headaches, migraines, or brain fog.
Patients often describe:
- Headaches that feel like pressure behind the eyes
- Trouble focusing or remembering things
- Light sensitivity
✅ Chiropractic adjustments to the upper cervical spine and tension relief techniques often make a dramatic difference.
⏱️ Don’t Wait — Injuries Can Worsen Over Time
It’s common for symptoms to appear hours or even days after a crash. Unfortunately, waiting too long can hurt both your health and your insurance case.
Florida law requires that you seek care within 14 days of the accident to qualify for PIP coverage.
At Bretz Chiropractic, we’re licensed to treat PIP-covered injuries and can help document your case for your attorney if needed.
📋 Why Choose Chiropractic First?
- No drugs, injections, or surgeries
- Addresses root causes of pain, not just symptoms
- Helps restore normal movement and alignment
- Supports long-term healing and functional recovery
Whether you're dealing with neck pain or numbness, stiffness or sleep trouble, we can help you feel better and move better — fast.
📍 Get Help for Your Auto Injury at Bretz Chiropractic Clinic
📍 3436 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34239
📞 (941) 921-2225
🌐 bretzclinic.com
✅ PIP Insurance Accepted
✅ Attorney Liens (LOPs) Welcome
✅ Same-Day Appointments Often Available
✅ Bilingual Staff Available
What Is a Letter of Protection (LOP), and Do Chiropractors Accept Them in Florida?
⚖️ Hurt in a Car Accident but Don’t Have Insurance or Money to Pay?
If you were injured in a car accident in Florida and are working with a personal injury attorney, you may have heard the term Letter of Protection, or LOP.
But what is it — and how can it help you get care?
At Bretz Chiropractic Clinic in Sarasota, we accept LOPs and work closely with local attorneys to ensure you get the care you need now — without waiting for a settlement or paying out of pocket up front.
🧾 What Is a Letter of Protection (LOP)?
A Letter of Protection is a legal agreement between:
- You (the patient)
- Your personal injury attorney
- A healthcare provider (like our clinic)
It allows you to receive medical care now, and pay later out of your settlement — if and when your personal injury case resolves.
Think of it as a “promise to pay” that protects both you and your doctor.
✅ Why Use an LOP?
- You don’t have to delay care because of cost
- You don’t need to file under your health insurance
- Your chiropractor still gets compensated once your case settles
- Your attorney handles communication and billing coordination
This is especially helpful if your PIP benefits are exhausted, if you were a passenger, or if you don’t have health insurance.
🧠 We Accept LOPs from Most Florida Injury Attorneys
At Bretz Chiropractic, we regularly work with personal injury attorneys in Sarasota and across the state. We accept LOPs and provide:
- Thorough injury evaluations
- Imaging and documentation as needed
- Clear and professional medical records for your case
- Direct communication with your lawyer throughout treatment
Whether you already have an attorney — or need a referral to a trusted one — we’ll help you get everything in place.
🚑 What If I Don’t Have a Lawyer Yet?
That’s okay. We can:
- Help you understand your options
- Refer you to a local, reputable personal injury attorney if needed
- Begin care under your PIP or at reduced initial cost while you get set up
Our goal is to help you heal — not stress about money or paperwork.
💬 What Patients Ask Us About LOPs
❓ Does using an LOP affect my credit?
No. You’re not billed during care, and the balance is settled when your case closes.
❓ Can I use an LOP if I’ve already seen another doctor?
Yes. We can coordinate care as part of your overall recovery plan.
❓ Will my attorney support this?
Most personal injury attorneys regularly work with chiropractors under LOPs — we’ll communicate directly to keep everything aligned.
📍 Get Care Now — Pay Later with Bretz Chiropractic Clinic
If you’re injured and unsure how to proceed, we’ll walk you through it step by step — with or without insurance, and with or without a lawyer already in place.
📍 Bretz Chiropractic Clinic
3436 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34239
📞 Call: (941) 921-2225
🌐 Book Online at bretzclinic.com
✅ PIP Accepted
✅ Letters of Protection (LOP) Accepted
✅ Same-Day Appointments Available
✅ Bilingual Staff Available
Welcome! Check Out my new announcment!
We now offer Red Light Therapy. Call to schedule or tell Dr. Bretz you want to add to your treament plan!