A car accident can turn your life upside down in seconds — leaving you with pain, unanswered questions, and a pile of insurance paperwork you never wanted to see. If you live in Kingwood, knowing how to use PIP (Personal Injury Protection) or UM (Uninsured Motorist) insurance could be the difference between getting the care you need now or struggling with long-term pain later.
After 25 years of treating car accidents and whiplash injuries, I’ve seen one thing hold back recovery more than anything else: confusion about insurance. That’s why I created this step-by-step guide — so you can focus on healing while we take the stress out of the process.
Key Takeaways
- PIP and UM insurance can cover chiropractic treatment, therapies, and diagnostics after an accident.
- Texas drivers often have PIP automatically — usually $2,500–$10,000 in benefits.
- Using your Uninsured Motorist benefits will give you liability limits of $25000 and more.
- Early care is critical to prevent long-term pain and document your injuries for your claim.
- Our office handles the paperwork so you can focus on getting better, not fighting with insurance.
- Coverage applies even if you were partially at fault for the accident.
Why It Matters
Delaying care after an accident can mean more than just a slower recovery — it can mean incomplete healing, chronic pain, and even reduced insurance reimbursement. PIP and UM benefits exist to help you get the treatment you need without worrying about immediate out-of-pocket costs.
At Kingwood Chiropractic Spine and Injury Center, we believe your energy should go toward recovery, not red tape. By understanding and using your benefits properly, you can:
- Access treatment immediately without waiting for liability decisions.
- Protect your legal and financial interests with proper documentation.
- Avoid paying for necessary care yourself when coverage is available.
I’ve seen patients’ lives change simply because they sought chiropractic treatment right away and used their insurance wisely — this guide will help you do the same.
Introduction
If you’ve just been in a car accident in Kingwood, I know from decades of experience that the last thing you want to think about is insurance paperwork. You’re likely feeling sore, anxious, and unsure about your next steps. That’s where PIP (Personal Injury Protection) or UM (Uninsured Motorist) insurance can make a huge difference — and where my team at Kingwood Chiropractic Spine and Injury Center comes in.
For 25 years, I’ve treated patients recovering from whiplash, back pain, and soft-tissue injuries caused by collisions. Over that time, I’ve also helped hundreds of patients navigate the maze of insurance benefits so they could focus entirely on healing. In this guide, I’ll Walk you through exactly how to use your PIP or UM coverage after a car accident to get the chiropractic care you need — quickly, efficiently, and with less stress.
Understand What PIP and UM Insurance Covers
In Texas, PIP covers your medical expenses—regardless of fault—for treatments like chiropractic care, imaging (X-rays, MRI), therapies (cold laser, shockwave), and rehab. PIP limits typically range from $2,500 to $10,000 and can be used for nearly any treatment you need.
UM insurance steps in if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured. It acts like your own PIP to cover injuries, treatment, and care that would otherwise leave you out of pocket.
Seek Chiropractic Evaluation Immediately
Even if you feel fine after a minor crash, hidden damage—like whiplash or spinal misalignment—may take days to appear. Early evaluation helps:
- Document your injuries (crucial for your insurance claim). Make sure to call the police from the accident scene and get an accurate accident report.
- Start treatment before pain becomes chronic or scar tissue sets in.
At our Kingwood clinic, your first visit includes a full consultation, posture exam, and referral for imaging, medical doctor, orthopedic doctor or neurologist if needed to pinpoint the issue.
Track Your Progress and Insurance Usage
Weekly reviews help you and your clinician stay on top of healing—and how much insurance you've used. Transparent documentation ensures:
- You stay informed of remaining coverage.
- You avoid unexpected billing issues.
- Treatment decisions stay clear, and progress centered.
Often times our office is working closely with local Houston personal injury attorneys with a mission to help the patient as much as possible. Car accident injuries are serious, so we have to make sure to get an accurate diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan which includes not only chiropractic but other specialties as well such as pain management and orthopedic doctors.
Transition Smoothly if Coverage Runs Out
If your PIP or UM benefits are nearing their limits, we’ll:
- Recommend transitioning to personal payment plans or other coverage.
- Provide referrals to attorneys if you're pursuing third-party claims.
- Offer flexible, affordable care options to continue your healing journey.
- Make sure to make use of you PIP and UM chiropractic benefits.
Let Us Help with Insurance Paperwork
We understand the paperwork system can be intimidating. That’s why we:
- Verify your PIP or UM coverage.
- Submit claims, therapy notes, progress reports, and any imaging documentation.
- Coordinate with insurers to ensure you maximize your benefits and avoid delays.
Our years of handling claims—from Geico, USAA, State Farm, Allstate, Progressive, Farmers, Travelers, and more—mean you can focus on recovery, not red tape.
Begin Your Customized Chiropractic Treatment
Once your benefits are in place, Kingwood chiropractic doctor Tyler Hamel DC, FPSC, (C), will craft a personalized treatment plan—combining:
- Gentle, corrective spinal adjustments.
- Cold laser therapy to reduce inflammation and accelerate healing.
- Focused shockwave therapy for soft-tissue recovery.
- Tailored rehabilitative exercises to restore strength and movement.
Each week, we monitor your progress to guide healing safely and steadily, along the way, if needed, we will refer to any specialists such as orthopedic, neurologist, pain management doctor or concussion evaluations.
Real Patient Story
“I was rearended on 59 and didn’t feel hurt right away. A few days later, my neck was stiff and I had headaches. Dr. Hamel and the team at Kingwood Chiropractic Spine and Injury Center took great care of me—it was gentle, effective, and I healed without surgery or medication.”
— Rebecca M., Kingwood, TX
Final Thoughts
Recovering from a car accident shouldn’t be more stressful than the crash itself. At Kingwood Chiropractic Spine and Injury Center, we make healing simple and clear. From submitting claims to treatment planning, our goal is to handle the process so you can reclaim your health—without the legal or administrative burden.
** Call or text (281) 360-8387** to schedule your car accident evaluation today. Let us guide you from injury to recovery—with care, clarity, and compassion.
FAQ — PIP, UM & Chiropractic Care
Q: Does PIP cover imaging like X-rays and MRI?
A: Yes. Imaging needed to diagnose your spine or soft tissue injury post-accident is typically covered under PIP—if ordered by your chiropractor or physician.
Q: What happens if my PIP runs out before I’m healed?
A: We’ll let you know early so you can explore options like self-pay plans, attorney cases, or UM benefits to continue treatment without interruption.
Q: Can I use PIP if I was partially at fault in the accident?
A: Yes—Texas PIP applies regardless of fault. As long as you have PIP coverage, you can use it for your treatment.
Q: How do I know if I have UM coverage?
A: Check your policy declarations or call your insurer. UM is optional but common. If needed, our team can help verify it for you.
Q: Can I start treatment before the insurance processes my claim?
A: Absolutely. We often begin care immediately and submit your paperwork simultaneously, so treatment isn’t delayed.