Kroner Chiropractic treats injuries from car accidents in Yakima, Washington, including whiplash, back and neck pain, headaches, and soft tissue damage. Crash injuries frequently do not produce symptoms for days, so an early evaluation matters even if you felt fine at the scene. Treatment is commonly covered by personal injury protection (PIP) coverage on your auto policy, and we also treat third-party cases for patients without PIP.

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Feeling fine at the scene does not mean you are uninjured

After a collision your body floods with adrenaline. It masks pain, and it is the reason so many people tell the officer they are fine and then wake up two days later unable to turn their head.

That delay is normal. Soft tissue injuries, the sprains and strains to ligaments and muscles that make up most crash injuries, often take twenty-four to seventy-two hours to become symptomatic. Some take longer.

The problem with waiting is twofold. Untreated soft tissue injuries can heal with scar tissue that leaves you with lasting stiffness and pain. And a gap between your accident date and your first medical visit is the first thing an insurance adjuster will point to when questioning whether your injuries came from the crash.

Injuries we see after a collision

  • Whiplash and neck strain from the head being thrown forward and back
  • Back pain, both upper and lower
  • Headaches that begin in the days after the accident
  • Shoulder injuries, often from the seat belt or from bracing against the wheel
  • Jaw pain and TMJ symptoms
  • Numbness or tingling in the arms or hands
  • Dizziness and difficulty concentrating

A low-speed collision can produce all of these. The damage to your vehicle is a poor predictor of the damage to the person inside it.

How PIP coverage works in Washington

Personal injury protection is medical coverage on your own auto policy. Washington insurers are required to offer it, though drivers can decline it in writing.

If you carry PIP, several things are true that people often do not realize:

It pays regardless of who caused the accident. PIP is no-fault coverage.

You use your own policy. It is not a claim against the other driver, and using it does not require establishing fault first.

It typically covers chiropractic care. Chiropractic treatment and therapeutic massage are commonly covered under PIP.

It generally means no out-of-pocket cost to you for covered treatment up to your policy limit.

We bill PIP directly and handle the documentation your claim requires. Bring your claim number and insurance information to your first visit, or call us and we will help you find them.

What if you do not have PIP coverage?

Not everyone carries PIP. Washington insurers are required to offer it, but drivers can decline it in writing, and many people do without remembering they did.

If another driver caused your accident and you do not have PIP, you may still have a path to covered treatment through a third-party claim, meaning a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance rather than your own policy. We treat third-party cases.

These claims work differently, and it is worth understanding how before you start treatment:

The at-fault driver’s insurer does not pay as you go. Third-party claims are typically settled once, at the end, and that can take months or longer.

We can treat you now and be paid later. We accept Letters of Protection and place a lien against the eventual settlement. A Letter of Protection is an agreement, usually arranged through your attorney, in which we provide care during your claim and are paid from the settlement rather than billing you up front. It means you get treated while your case is pending instead of waiting.

We recommend you retain an attorney. We will always encourage representation in a third-party case. These claims are more complicated than a PIP claim, and the other driver’s insurer is not working on your behalf.

We are not attorneys and we do not give legal advice. What we can tell you is that we treat third-party cases, we work with attorneys regularly, and we document your care thoroughly throughout so your claim is supported by a complete record.

If you are not sure what coverage applies to your situation, call us at (509) 972-4000 and we will walk through it with you.

What to do after an accident in Yakima

  1. Get evaluated early, ideally within the first few days, even if you feel only mildly sore.
  2. Bring your accident information: claim number, insurance details, and the police report if you have it.
  3. We examine you and take digital X-rays on site if imaging is indicated.
  4. We document your injuries thoroughly, which matters both for your recovery and for your claim.
  5. We build a treatment plan and track your progress in writing throughout.

If you are working with an attorney, we will coordinate with them. If you are not, that is fine too.

Common Questions

How soon should I see a chiropractor after a car accident?

As soon as you can, ideally within the first few days. Soft tissue injuries often take one to three days to become symptomatic, and an early evaluation both catches the injury sooner and documents the connection between the crash and your symptoms.

Does PIP insurance cover chiropractic care in Washington?

In most cases yes. Personal injury protection is medical coverage on your own auto policy that pays regardless of fault, and chiropractic care is commonly covered under it. Call us with your policy information and we will verify your coverage before your first visit.

Do I have to pay out of pocket after a car accident?

Usually not, when PIP coverage applies. PIP typically covers treatment up to your policy limit with no out-of-pocket cost to you. We bill your PIP carrier directly.

Will using my PIP coverage raise my insurance rates?

PIP is no-fault coverage, meaning it pays regardless of who caused the accident. Questions about how a specific claim may affect your policy are best answered by your insurer or your agent, since it depends on your carrier and your policy.

What if the accident was not my fault?

PIP still applies. It is coverage on your own policy and it pays without establishing fault first, which means you can begin treatment right away instead of waiting for the claim between insurers to be resolved.

I was in a minor fender bender. Do I really need to be checked?

It is worth an evaluation. Research on collision injuries has consistently found that significant soft tissue injury can occur at low speeds and with little vehicle damage. An examination takes under an hour and tells you whether there is anything to treat.

Can you provide documentation for my attorney or insurance claim?

Yes. We document your examination findings, imaging, diagnosis, treatment, and progress throughout your care, and we can provide those records to your attorney or insurer when you request it.

What if I do not have PIP coverage after a car accident?

You may still have a path to treatment through a third-party claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. We treat third-party cases, accept Letters of Protection, and place a lien against the settlement so you can begin care while your claim is pending. We recommend retaining an attorney for these cases.

Do you accept Letters of Protection?

Yes. A Letter of Protection is an agreement, usually arranged through your attorney, in which we treat you during your claim and are paid from the settlement rather than billing you up front. We accept them and place a lien against the eventual recovery.

Do I need an attorney for a car accident claim?

For a claim on your own PIP coverage, usually not. For a third-party claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance, we strongly recommend it. Those claims are more complicated and the other driver’s insurer is not working on your behalf. We are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice, but representation is something we encourage on third-party cases.

Call (509) 972-4000 to be evaluated after your accident.