After a fender bender on I-15 or a rear-end collision on Bangerter Highway, one of the first questions patients ask a Draper chiropractor is simple: who pays for this? In Utah, the answer usually starts with your own auto insurance, through a coverage called personal injury protection, or PIP. Here’s how Utah’s $3,000 PIP minimum works, what it covers, and what to do so you can use it for the care you need.
What is PIP, and how much does Utah require?
PIP is the part of your auto policy that pays for your own injuries after a crash, no matter who caused it. Utah is a no-fault state, and Utah Code Section 31A-22-307 requires every policy to include it.
The statute sets these minimum benefits per injured person:
- Up to $3,000 for reasonable and necessary medical expenses
- Lost wages at the lesser of $250 a week or 85 percent of gross income, for up to 52 weeks
- Up to $20 a day for up to 365 days for household services you can’t do yourself
- $1,500 for funeral expenses and a $3,000 death benefit
Many drivers carry more than the minimum, often $10,000 or more. Check the declarations page of your policy or ask your agent what your limit is.
Does PIP cover chiropractic care after a car accident?
Generally, yes. PIP pays for necessary medical services related to the accident, and chiropractic care for injuries like whiplash, neck pain, and back pain is commonly billed to PIP. Coverage applies to you and often to passengers in your car, depending on the policy.
Under the same statute, Utah measures the “reasonable value” of treatment against a state relative value study, which sets typical charges for each type of service. Insurers can question whether care is necessary, so clear exam findings and treatment notes matter.
Does it matter who caused the accident?
Not for PIP. Your own PIP pays first even if the other driver was clearly at fault. Questions about fault come into play later, if your costs go beyond what PIP covers.
What happens when your medical bills go past $3,000?
Once your accident-related medical bills exceed $3,000, you may have more options. Utah Code Section 31A-22-309 sets what’s called the tort threshold: you can only bring a claim against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering if your medical expenses exceed $3,000 or your injury is considered serious, such as a fracture or permanent impairment.
After that point, other coverage may pick up costs, including the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability coverage, your health insurance, or medical payments coverage if your policy includes it. Utah’s minimum liability limit is $25,000 per person. If you’re approaching the threshold, a conversation with a personal injury attorney can help you understand your options. We can provide records, but we don’t give legal advice.
What should you do after an accident to protect your PIP benefits?
A few steps early on make the claim process much easier:
- Get evaluated soon after the crash, even if you feel fine. Whiplash symptoms such as neck stiffness and headaches often appear a day or more later.
- Report the accident to your insurance company and write down your claim number and adjuster’s name.
- Bring your claim information to your first appointment so the office can document the visit correctly.
- Follow the treatment plan you agree to and keep your appointments. Gaps in care are a common reason insurers question a claim.
- Keep copies of every bill, receipt, and work note in one folder.
How can a Draper chiropractor help after a car accident?
A chiropractor can evaluate how the crash affected your spine and build a plan that fits your injuries and your coverage. At Draper Spinal Care, Dr. Joshua Stockwell begins with a detailed exam and, when needed, imaging to see what changed after the impact.
Treatment is built around gentle care. NUCCA upper cervical adjustments, which focus on the top of the neck, use no twisting or jerking, which many patients with sore, guarded necks after whiplash appreciate. For disc injuries and sciatica, non-surgical spinal decompression on the DRX9000 may be part of the plan.
Our team can also walk you through how payment works with your PIP claim and what options exist if your coverage runs out. Ask our front desk about your specific situation before your first visit.
Start care early and keep good records
Utah’s PIP coverage exists so you can get care quickly without waiting to sort out who was at fault. Know your limit, report the claim, start treatment early, and keep careful records. If you’ve been in an accident and your neck or back hasn’t felt right since, schedule a visit with a Draper Chiropractor at Draper Spinal Care to find out what’s going on and how your PIP coverage can help.
