You walked away from the crash, but your body didn’t bounce back. The soreness didn’t fade. Your range of motion didn’t return. And now, instead of just getting back to normal, you find yourself juggling medical visits, time off work, and weeks of physical therapy.
You’re not alone. Many crash victims in Ohio rely on physical therapy to recover strength, stability, and mobility. And while it helps, it costs. The question becomes: How much is a car accident physical therapy settlement worth?
Let’s break that down.
To get more information and arrange a free consultation, give us a call at (419) 455-1410 or contact us online.
Physical Therapy After a Crash: More Than Rehab
Doctors often prescribe physical therapy when car crashes cause:
- Soft tissue injuries, like ligament and muscle strains;
- Whiplash and neck trauma;
- Lower back or spinal injuries;
- Fractures, dislocations, or joint injuries; and
- Trouble walking, lifting, or turning without pain.
A fair car accident physical therapy settlement should include all therapy expenses, past and future. It should also account for time off work, limited mobility, and lasting pain. Insurance companies don’t always offer that upfront, but you can seek it with proper documentation and legal support.
Your settlement should include a full accounting of the physical therapy cost after a car accident, which can quickly add up, even with health insurance.
Settlements for moderate injuries requiring 3 months of physical therapy, like whiplash or herniated discs, usually range from $10,000 to $50,000. This covers medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Payouts depend on injury severity, total costs, liability share, and insurance policy limits.
What Affects the Value of a Physical Therapy Settlement?
Every case is different, but certain details tend to increase or decrease the potential settlement amount.
First, here’s what can increase the value:
- Consistent and documented medical treatment. Gaps in therapy or missed appointments give insurers a reason to argue the injury isn’t serious.
- Length and intensity of rehab. Long-term physical therapy often reflects a more serious injury. That can mean greater compensation.
- Loss of income. If therapy keeps you from work or affects your ability to return to your job, your financial loss matters.
- Visible impact on daily life. Therapy for impacts like nerve damage, loss of mobility, or chronic pain often raises claim value. These are long-term burdens.
Now, here’s what can lower the value:
- Delays in starting treatment. Waiting too long can give the impression your injuries didn’t require care, even if that’s not true.
- Pre-existing conditions. Insurers may blame ongoing symptoms on prior injuries rather than the crash itself.
- Partial fault for the crash. Ohio’s comparative fault law reduces your compensation if the court finds you partially at fault and denies it entirely if you’re more than 50% responsible.
The more clearly you document your need for therapy, time off work, and ongoing pain, the harder it is for insurance companies to undervalue your claim. An experienced car accident attorney will help connect these pieces and push back when the insurer doesn’t.
What Expenses Should Be Covered?
If you’re dealing with medical bills and paperwork, here’s what you can include in a car accident physical therapy settlement:
- Office visits, evaluations, and treatment plans;
- Ongoing physical therapy sessions;
- Equipment, braces, or mobility aids;
- Follow-up diagnostic tests (MRI, X-rays);
- Lost earnings or reduced work hours;
- Pain, emotional strain, and reduced quality of life; and
- Future care if recovery isn’t complete.
You’re also entitled to seek an insurance payout for physical therapy after an accident, not just for what you’ve paid but for what you will need if recovery continues.
How to Take Action
You may wonder how to claim physical therapy expenses after a car crash in Ohio.
Here’s what to do:
- Seek medical attention right away, even if your symptoms appear later;
- Keep records of all appointments, diagnoses, bills, and therapy progress;
- Document how your injury affects work, routine, and daily movement; and
- Speak to a personal injury attorney as early as possible.
Ohio’s statute of limitations for car accident injury claims is two years. Do not wait to take action to pursue compensation for physical therapy after a car accident.
FAQ: Car Accident Settlements & Physical Therapy
Does Physical Therapy Increase a Potential Car Accident Settlement?
Yes. When therapy is necessary and well-documented, it can significantly increase your claim value, especially in long-term recovery cases.
How Long After Physical Therapy Do You Get a Settlement?
It depends. Settlement discussions typically follow the completion of treatment (or maximum medical improvement). Some cases resolve within weeks; others may take months, depending on negotiations.
How Much Does Physical Therapy Cost After a Car Accident?
Physical therapy can cost between $50 and $350 per session, depending on the provider, injury type, and needed duration. Total costs often range from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
Get Help From Bensinger Legal Services
Attorney Aaron Bensinger has helped accident survivors across Northwestern Ohio recover compensation after treatment, rehab, and long-term care. He knows how injuries affect real people and how to fight back when initial offers don’t reflect the full cost of recovery.
If you’re dealing with medical bills and wondering what your case is worth, reach out today.
Call Bensinger Legal Services to schedule a free consultation. You can call us at (419) 455-1410 or contact us online. You only get one settlement. Make sure it covers everything.
Aaron L. Bensinger is an Ohio attorney serving personal injury and civil litigation clients. He has extensive trial experience and makes client service is his primary focus. As a partner at Balyeat, Leahy, Daley, Miller & Bensinger, LLC, Aaron happily works in Lima, OH, and serves the entire Northwest region of the state and beyond.
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