So You Were in an Accident… Now What?

I’m so sorry you were in an accident. Even a small collision can be overwhelming, confusing, and stressful. Whether the damage looks minor or major, it’s important to protect yourself physically, emotionally, and legally in the first few minutes after it happens.

No matter how little damage there is, follow these immediate steps:

1. Check on everyone involved. Safety comes first. Call 911 right away if anyone is injured.

2. If the damage appears to be more than $1,000, you are legally required in Utah to call the police while still at the scene. Do not leave before doing this.

3. Take photos of all impact areas. Capture wide shots, close-ups, angles, lights, undercarriage, airbags—everything.

4. Photograph both parties’ insurance cards and driver’s licenses. This ensures you have accurate information for your PIP claim.

These steps protect you and ensure you can access the benefits you are legally entitled to—especially Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which covers therapeutic services like massage, chiropractic, acupuncture, and more.

What to Say to Your Insurance (and Theirs)

When the insurance adjuster or claims representative asks if you are injured, the most accurate and safest statement you can make is:

“I don’t know if I’m injured. I will go see a professional.”

This is always true. After an accident, your body is full of adrenaline, and symptoms often don’t appear until hours—or days—later.

Then:

Schedule an appointment with a trusted chiropractor, your personal doctor, or another licensed healthcare provider who can diagnose your injuries.

You are also welcome to schedule with me initially so I can assess tissue function, but you will need diagnostic codes for insurance billing, which a massage therapist cannot legally provide. I will always refer you to a trusted practitioner when needed.

You Have the Right to Choose Your Own Providers

This is extremely important:

You do NOT have to see the insurance company’s chosen practitioners. You do NOT have to see the lawyer’s chosen practitioners. You do NOT have to follow anyone’s list of “approved” therapists.

If anyone claims you are required to see their people, it is false.

Under PIP law, you can see any licensed professional who provides medically necessary care, including:

• Chiropractors

• Physical Therapists

• Acupuncturists

• Massage Therapists

• Hendrickson Method Practitioners

• Craniosacral Therapists

• Psychologists

• Naturopaths

• Reflexologists

• Medical doctors

• Nurse Practitioners

This freedom of choice is one of the greatest gifts of Utah’s PIP system check your state requirements or opt for PIP on your insurance. Use it.

Do not let anyone intimidate you into thinking your options are limited.

SCHEDULE AN ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT FOR MORE INFORMATION

HerMedic Therapeutics

As above, so below.

With heart,

Nikki Rae :)