Services/Recovery + rehab/Auto accident injury care
— SERVICE · PIP · DOCUMENTED CARE

Auto accident care.

Clear path, clear documentation, minimal friction. The Florida PIP 14-day rule means timing matters — get evaluated this week.

14 days
Florida PIP window
Same week
appointments
$0
out-of-pocket with PIP
Direct
attorney coordination
— HOW IT WORKS

Documented from visit one.

Florida's PIP statute requires you to receive medical care within 14 days of the accident to maintain full PIP benefits. After 14 days, your benefits drop substantially. That window is real — book this week.

Every visit is documented to the standard PIP carriers and personal injury attorneys expect: ICD-10 coded, mechanism of injury, exam findings, imaging recommendations, treatment plan, and progress benchmarks.

Our Jacksonville and Orange Park offices see accident patients the same day they call — a thorough orthopedic and neurological evaluation, clinical documentation for insurance and legal purposes, and a complete recovery plan coordinated under one roof.

Phase 01 · Eval
Phase 02 · Treat
Phase 03 · Discharge
Full evaluation, day one.

Mechanism of injury, range of motion, neurological screen, orthopedic tests, pain mapping. We refer for imaging when indicated. Documentation matches what attorneys and carriers need.

— GOOD FIT IF
Auto accident in the last 14 days (Florida PIP)
Whiplash, neck or low back pain, headaches
Symptoms that started or worsened post-collision
Working with a personal injury attorney
Need clear documentation for an open claim
— NOT A FIT IF
×Suspected fracture, internal injury, or head injury — go to ER first
×Out-of-state accident with no Florida PIP
×Looking for unrelated chiropractic care (book that separately)
×Beyond statute of limitations on the injury
×Want care without documentation (we always document)
— GOOD TO KNOW

The 14-day PIP window is Florida law — not a suggestion

Under Florida Statute 627.736, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits cover 80% of medical expenses up to $10,000 after an auto accident — but only when the injured person is evaluated by a qualified medical provider within 14 days of the accident. Waiting beyond this window forfeits coverage entirely, regardless of how severe your injuries turn out to be.

That single deadline is why timing matters so much. Miss it and up to $10,000 in medical benefits simply disappears — gone, no exceptions. Florida law requires PIP coverage on every auto policy, which means your initial treatment after an accident is covered when you act in time. We handle the insurance paperwork so you can focus on getting better.

Symptoms hide behind adrenaline

The crash pumps your body full of adrenaline and endorphins. You might feel fine for two or three days. Then the neck stiffness hits. Then the headaches. Then the shooting pain down your arm. Auto accident injuries most commonly involve the cervical and lumbar spine, producing whiplash-associated disorders, disc herniations, facet joint sprains, and soft tissue injuries that may not produce immediate symptoms.

Research published in the journal Spine shows that a significant proportion of whiplash patients develop chronic neck pain, with early musculoskeletal intervention associated with improved long-term outcomes compared to delayed treatment. Early evaluation catches what adrenaline hides — and immediate documentation proves the connection between the accident and your injuries. If you wait three weeks to see a doctor, the insurance company argues your injuries aren't serious. Your attorney needs that early record.

Common auto accident injuries we treat

Even a low-speed fender bender on San Jose Blvd or a rear-end collision on I-295 can cause real damage. Your body absorbs a tremendous amount of force — even at 15 mph. The injuries we see most often after a collision include whiplash, soft tissue injuries, herniated discs, concussion symptoms, back pain from impact, neck pain and stiffness, shoulder and upper back injuries, sciatica from trauma, and knee and hip injuries.

We treat all of it under one roof. Chiropractic, massage, rehabilitation, and imaging referrals are coordinated right here — no running around to five different offices. One team handles your entire recovery, adjusting your plan as you improve and tracking progress the whole way.

What to do after a car accident — and how we handle the paperwork

The path is simple. First, call us — we offer same-day or next-morning appointments for accident patients at (904) 379-9412. Second, get evaluated: a full exam, neurological testing, orthopedic assessment, and imaging referral if needed, so you have a clear diagnosis before you leave. Third, start treatment tailored to your specific injuries. Fourth, stay on track with consistent care and progress tracking.

The fifth step is the one that overwhelms most people, and it's the one we take off your plate entirely: PIP claims, insurance documentation, and attorney coordination. If you have a personal injury case, we coordinate directly with your attorney — medical records, progress reports, narrative reports, whatever they need, we provide it. Insurance companies look for gaps in your records; we document everything so your file is airtight if you need it.

— COMMON QUESTIONS

Questions, answered.

What is Florida's 14-day PIP rule after a car accident?
Florida's Personal Injury Protection (PIP) law requires you to seek medical care within 14 days of a car accident to be eligible for PIP insurance benefits. Missing this window — even if you feel fine initially — forfeits your right to PIP coverage for accident-related injuries. Florida PIP covers 80% of necessary medical expenses up to $10,000 for emergency medical conditions.
I feel fine after the accident. Do I still need to come in?
Yes, and this is important. Adrenaline masks pain. Whiplash, soft tissue damage, and disc injuries can take days — sometimes weeks — to fully show up. By then, the injury has worsened and you've lost critical time for documentation. Getting evaluated within 72 hours catches injuries you can't feel yet and creates the medical record that protects you down the road.
Can I see a chiropractor after a car accident in Florida?
Yes. Chiropractors are qualified providers under Florida PIP law. Chiropractic care treats the musculoskeletal injuries most commonly caused by car accidents — whiplash, cervical disc injury, lumbar strain, and joint sprains. Meridian Integrative Wellness offers same-day accident appointments at our Jacksonville and Orange Park locations.
Does PIP insurance cover chiropractic care after a car accident?
Yes. Florida PIP insurance covers chiropractic care for accident-related injuries when treatment is sought within 14 days of the accident. PIP covers 80% of necessary medical expenses up to $10,000. Our team handles the documentation and billing so you can focus on recovery.
What injuries are common in car accidents?
The most common car accident injuries include whiplash (cervical acceleration-deceleration injury), herniated cervical or lumbar discs, muscle and ligament strains, facet joint injuries, shoulder injuries from bracing on the steering wheel, and concussion. Many of these injuries do not cause immediate severe pain and may worsen over days to weeks without treatment.
Do you work with personal injury attorneys?
Yes. We regularly work with PI attorneys across Jacksonville and the surrounding area. We provide thorough documentation, detailed progress notes, and narrative reports that attorneys need for your case. If you don't have an attorney yet and need a referral, we can point you in the right direction.
What should I do immediately after a car accident in Florida?
Immediately after a Florida car accident: (1) Call 911 if there are injuries; (2) obtain a police report; (3) exchange insurance information; (4) document the scene with photos; (5) seek medical evaluation within 14 days — even if you feel fine — to preserve your PIP rights; (6) do not give recorded statements to insurance adjusters without consulting an attorney if you have significant injuries. Call Meridian Integrative Wellness at (904) 379-9412 for a same-day evaluation.

The 14-day clock is real.

Book a PIP exam this week