You have just been in a car accident. The shock fades, the paperwork piles up, and you’re even telling yourself you will “wait it out” before seeing a doctor. But here is the problem—many injuries from accidents do not show up right away. Whiplash, disc injuries, and spinal misalignments often creep in days or weeks later, leaving you wondering why the pain will not go away.
Now imagine this: you finally make the decision to get chiropractic care, but the at-fault driver’s insurance will not cover everything. What happens then? Too many people find themselves cutting treatment short, settling for partial recovery, or living with daily pain because they did not know there was another option.
This is where Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM) coverage comes in—and why it could be the single most important piece of your accident recovery plan. Most people overlook UM until it is too late. In this blog, I will share why skipping UM can derail your healing, how it connects directly to chiropractic therapy, and the steps you can take right now to protect your health and your future.
Quick Insights
- UM coverage fills the gap when the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little to cover your injuries.
- Chiropractic care after an accident is crucial, even if pain shows up days later. UM makes consistent treatment possible.
- Texas minimum auto coverage ($30,000 per person) is rarely enough for hospital visits, chiropractic care, and rehab.
- Skipping UM can mean cutting your recovery short, leaving you with lingering pain or long-term spinal issues.
- Having UM before an accident ensures you can focus on healing instead of worrying about medical bills.
Key Takeaways
- Uninsured Motorist, (UM) coverage is often overlooked but crucial when the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance.
- Texas minimum coverage is too low to cover serious injuries. UM fills that gap.
- Chiropractic care depends on consistent treatment—which UM coverage makes possible.
- Protect yourself before an accident happens by reviewing your auto insurance policy today. Seek medical attention immediately after an accident.
Why It Matters
Your health is your most valuable asset. Skipping UM coverage could mean the difference between a smooth recovery and years of ongoing pain. As a chiropractor with decades of experience treating car accident patients in Kingwood, I cannot emphasize this enough: do not leave your recovery up to chance.
If you have been injured in a car wreck, UM can give you the peace of mind that your care will be covered. It is about more than finances—it is about your ability to heal fully, return to work, and live your life without constant pain.
Not every driver on the road is insured, and even when they are, their coverage may be too low to cover the injuries they cause. In Texas, the minimum required liability coverage is only $30,000 per person—an amount that does not go very far when you consider hospital visits, chiropractic care, imaging, and long-term rehabilitation.
UM coverage protects you in two scenarios:
- Uninsured driver – The other driver has no insurance at all.
- Underinsured driver – The other driver’s insurance does not cover the full extent of your injuries.
- Without UM, you may face significant medical bills, lost wages, and long recovery times with little financial support. With UM, you have a safety net that allows you to focus on healing rather than worrying about how to pay for care.
Introduction
I am Dr. Tyler Hamel, DC, FPSC, (C), and I have been helping car accident patients in Kingwood for over 25 years. Every week, I see patients walk into my office who have been injured in crashes but are not sure how they will cover the cost of their care. Many assume that if the at-fault driver’s insurance is not enough, they will be left paying out of pocket. That is where Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can make all the difference.
Most drivers know about liability insurance and Personal Injury Protection (PIP), but UM often gets overlooked—even though it can be the key to recovering fully after a crash. My goal in this article is to help you understand why you should never skip UM coverage, how it works with chiropractic care, and what steps you should take after an accident to protect both your health and your finances.
How UM Works With Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care plays a vital role in car accident recovery. Injuries like whiplash, back pain, herniated discs, and joint injuries often do not fully show up until days or weeks after the crash. If you skip UM, you might delay or even avoid the chiropractic treatment you need, leading to chronic pain and long-term issues.
With UM, you can:
- Access care quickly – No waiting on lengthy negotiations with the at-fault driver’s insurance.
- Cover advanced therapies – Treatments like shockwave therapy or cold laser, which accelerate healing, may be more accessible.
- Stay consistent with care – Eliminating financial stress allows you to follow through with the treatment plan your chiropractor recommends.
- At Kingwood Chiropractic Spine and Injury Center, I have seen firsthand how UM coverage has helped patients get the timely, consistent care that leads to a full recovery.
A Real-Life Example
A patient came to me after being rear-ended on Kingwood Drive. The at-fault driver only carried the state minimum, which barely covered the ER bill. Thankfully, this patient had UM coverage. That allowed us to provide a full treatment plan—chiropractic adjustments, rehab exercises, and cold laser therapy—without them having to worry about whether insurance would pay. Today, they are pain-free and back to work.
Without UM, this patient would have been forced to stop care too early, leaving them with lingering neck pain and stiffness. This is exactly why I tell every patient: do not skip UM.
Patient Testimonials
Hearing directly from other patients who have walked the same road can make all the difference when you are unsure about your next step. After a car accident, it is normal to feel overwhelmed by insurance paperwork, medical jargon, and uncertainty about recovery. Kingwood chiropractic testimonials offer reassurance and real-world proof that healing is possible—with the right care and coverage.
“I didn’t feel much pain the day of my accident, but by the end of the week my neck and back were so stiff I could barely sleep. Dr. Hamel explained how my UM coverage would work and set up a treatment plan right away. Within a few visits, I noticed a huge difference. I’m back to my normal activities now and I’m so glad I didn’t wait to get help.” – L.K.
“After my accident, I didn’t know how I was going to pay for care since the other driver didn’t have enough coverage. Dr. Hamel explained how my UM insurance worked, and I was able to get the full treatment plan I needed. I feel 100% better today.” – M.R.
These voices matter because they highlight a truth many accident victims do not realize until it is too late: with the right chiropractic care and UM coverage, you do not have to live with pain or settle for partial recovery. Real stories from real patients show what is possible—and remind us that protecting your health is always worth it.
Steps to Take After an Accident
- Seek care immediately – Even if you feel “fine,” injuries can surface later.
- File your claim promptly – Notify your insurance company that you intend to use Uninsured Motorist if needed.
- Keep documentation – Save medical reports, police reports, and bills.
- Follow your chiropractic treatment plan – Consistency is the key to healing, at minimum it takes 6-8 weeks for soft tissues to heal, if there are disc herniations or concussion; it can take up to 3-4 months.
- Ask questions – Our office can help you understand how your coverage applies to your care.
Closing Thoughts
At Kingwood Chiropractic Spine and Injury Center, my mission is to help car accident patients recover quickly, fully, and without unnecessary financial stress. Uninsured Motorist coverage is an essential part of that process. Do not wait until after an accident to find out you do not have enough protection—review your policy today.
And if you have already been injured, do not delay care. Come see Kingwood chiropractic doctor Tyler Hamel DC, for a free consultation and let us help you understand your insurance options while building a treatment plan tailored to your recovery.
FAQs – Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage and Chiropractic Care
1. Does Uninsured Motorist cover chiropractic care, or only hospital bills?
Uninsured Motorist coverage can apply to a wide range of medical expenses, including chiropractic care, imaging, rehabilitation, and even advanced therapies like cold laser or shockwave. It is not limited to hospital visits.
2. Can I still use UM if the at-fault driver fled the scene (hit-and-run)?
Yes. In most cases, Uninsured Motorist coverage extends to hit-and-run accidents. You will need to report the accident to the police and your insurance company promptly to qualify.
3. Do I need an attorney to file an Uninsured Motorist claim?
Not necessarily. Many patients successfully file UM claims on their own. However, if there are disputes or delays, having an attorney can help ensure your rights are protected.
4. How is UM different from PIP (Personal Injury Protection)?
PIP is “no-fault” coverage that pays for your medical bills and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident. UM specifically covers situations where the other driver lacks sufficient insurance. Ideally, you should have both.
5. Can Uninsured Motorist insurance help if I need long-term rehab after my accident?
Yes. UM can cover ongoing chiropractic care, physical rehab, and other treatments if they are medically necessary and related to your accident. This is crucial for patients who need extended recovery time.