Florida's PIP 14-Day Rule
You have 14 days after an accident to protect your benefits. Here's exactly what you need to know.
Recently in an accident in Jacksonville?
Same-day evaluations available. We accept all auto insurance.
What is Florida's PIP 14-Day Rule?
Florida is a no-fault insurance state. Every driver carries Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage that pays 80% of covered medical expenses after an accident, regardless of who caused it.
Under Florida Statute 627.736, you must seek initial medical treatment within 14 days of your accident date to access that coverage at all. Miss that window and your PIP medical benefits are forfeited — not reduced to a smaller amount, forfeited.
The 14-day clock starts the moment the accident happens — not when symptoms appear, not when you finally feel bad enough to go in. The law doesn't care that you felt fine on day one.
PIP Coverage at a Glance
Florida Statute 627.736
Seek treatment within 14 days
Required to access emergency and non-emergency PIP benefits
Up to $10,000
Treated within 14 days, and an MD, DO, dentist, PA or APRN determines an emergency medical condition
Capped at $2,500
Treated within 14 days, but no emergency medical condition is documented
After 14 days: PIP denied
Benefits cannot be recovered once the deadline passes
What happens if you wait?
Missing the 14-day window has consequences that go beyond your insurance claim.
Lose Emergency Coverage
Miss the 14-day window and your PIP medical benefits are gone entirely — not reduced. Coverage you already paid for, forfeited.
Weaken Your Legal Case
Insurance attorneys look for gaps between the accident and your first visit. A delay hands them exactly the argument they need: that the crash didn't cause your injuries.
Injuries Compound Untreated
Whiplash and disc damage don't wait. What's treatable in week one can become chronic pain by week three. The window to heal quickly is narrow.
What counts as initial treatment?
Any visit with a licensed healthcare provider counts as your initial treatment under the 14-day rule — as long as it's accident-related and documented properly. You don't need to go to the ER.
Why choose chiropractic first?
The fastest path from accident to evaluation
- Same-day and next-day availability — no weeks-long wait
- Specializes in soft tissue and spinal injuries common in accidents
- Detailed injury documentation for insurance and legal purposes
- Ongoing care under one roof — no referral ping-pong
- We accept all auto insurance
See how our car accident chiropractor care in Jacksonville works, from the first exam to your records.
What to do right now
Four steps to protect your health, your coverage, and your case.
Call Within 14 Days
You don't need to be in severe pain to get evaluated. Symptoms often show up days later. Call us the same day — we prioritize accident patients.
Get a Thorough Evaluation
We document everything: soft tissue injuries, disc involvement, range of motion. That record is what protects your recovery and your claim.
Begin Treatment
Starting care within 14 days keeps your PIP benefits available. We document your care. Your job is to show up and get better.
We Coordinate the Rest
Insurance documentation, attorney communication, follow-up scheduling — all under one roof. Nothing falls through the cracks on our end.
Frequently Asked Questions
This information is general and not legal advice. Coverage depends on your policy and Florida law.
Don't let the 14-day window close
Same-day evaluations available for accident patients in Jacksonville. We accept all auto insurance.
— Talk to our team
Hurt in an accident? Get seen before the clock runs out.
Florida PIP requires a first visit within 14 days of the accident. We see accident patients same-day. All auto insurance (PIP) accepted, at both offices.
Book an accident examPrefer to talk now? Call (904) 379-9412