Can I recover chiropractic bills and x-ray costs if I had to stop treatment because I couldn’t afford it? – North Carolina

Short Answer

Yes—under North Carolina law, chiropractic bills and x-ray costs can be part of a car-accident injury claim if the charges were reasonable and the services were reasonably necessary, and the treatment relates to injuries caused by the crash. Stopping care because of cost does not automatically prevent recovery for the treatment that did occur. However, a treatment gap can give the insurance company arguments about whether the crash caused the condition and whether more care was truly needed.

Understanding the Problem

In a North Carolina motor-vehicle collision claim, can chiropractic bills and x-ray charges be recovered as damages when treatment started for neck or upper-back pain but ended early because the injured person could not afford to continue? The decision point is whether those specific charges can still be claimed even with a gap in treatment and limited follow-up care.

Apply the Law

In North Carolina, medical expenses are commonly claimed as part of damages after a crash, including chiropractic care and diagnostic imaging like x-rays. The core issues are (1) whether the charges are reasonable, (2) whether the services were reasonably necessary, and (3) whether the crash caused the injury that led to the treatment. In most cases, the claim is handled first through the at-fault driver’s insurance adjuster; if the claim cannot be resolved, the dispute moves to North Carolina state court.

Key Requirements

Reasonable charges: The amounts billed (or the amounts actually required to satisfy the bills) must be within a reasonable range for similar services.
Reasonably necessary services: The chiropractic visits and x-rays must make medical sense for the reported symptoms and presentation.
Causation (crash-related): The treatment must connect to injuries caused by the collision, not a separate condition or a later event.

What the Statutes Say

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8-58.1 (Medical charges evidence; presumptions) – Allows an injured person to testify about medical charges with supporting records and creates presumptions about reasonableness and (to a limited extent) necessity, while still requiring proof that the crash caused the need for treatment.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: The facts describe delayed-onset neck and upper-back pain after a collision, followed by limited chiropractic treatment and x-rays that stopped due to cost. Those bills can still be claimed if the records show what was done, what was charged (or what was required to satisfy the charges), and why the provider believed the services were appropriate for the symptoms. The main pushback is likely to be causation and the treatment gap—an insurer may argue the pain was minor, unrelated, or resolved, or that later complaints are not connected to the crash.

Process & Timing

Who gathers and submits: The injured person (or counsel). Where: Typically to the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier as part of the bodily-injury claim; if suit is needed, filing is in North Carolina state court in the proper county. What: Itemized chiropractic bills, x-ray billing, visit notes, imaging reports (if any), and proof of amounts paid or required to be paid to satisfy the charges. When: As soon as records are available and before settlement discussions conclude.
How the insurer evaluates: The adjuster usually looks for a clear timeline (crash → symptoms → first treatment), consistent complaints, and documentation tying the x-rays and chiropractic care to the collision-related symptoms.
If the claim is disputed: A demand package may be followed by negotiation; if no agreement is reached, a lawsuit may be filed and the medical bills are proved through records and testimony consistent with North Carolina evidence rules.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

Treatment gaps can be used against the claim: Stopping chiropractic care due to cost does not erase the bills already incurred, but it can lead to arguments that the injury was not serious or that later symptoms came from something else.
“Reasonable and necessary” is not automatic: Records should show why x-rays were ordered and what the clinical findings were. Under North Carolina law, necessity and reasonableness can be supported by proper documentation, but causation still must be shown.
Amounts “charged” vs. amounts “required to be paid”: If a provider accepts a lower amount as full satisfaction, the recoverable figure may be argued at that lower satisfaction amount under the statutory framework.
Incomplete documentation: Missing itemized statements, missing dates of service, or no proof of what remains owed can slow negotiations and weaken proof if a lawsuit is filed.

Conclusion

Chiropractic bills and x-ray costs can be recoverable in North Carolina even if treatment ended early because it became unaffordable, as long as the charges are reasonable, the services were reasonably necessary, and the collision caused the injury being treated. The biggest risk from stopping care is that the insurer disputes causation or downplays the injury due to a treatment gap. The next step is to gather itemized bills and supporting records and submit them with proof of the amounts paid or required to satisfy the charges.

Talk to a Wrongful Death Attorney

If a crash led to neck or back pain and treatment had to stop because the bills became unaffordable, our firm has experienced attorneys who can help organize the records, address treatment-gap arguments, and explain options and timelines. Call us today at [919-341-7055].

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about North Carolina law based on the single question stated above. It is not legal advice for your specific situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, procedures, and local practice can change and may vary by county. If you have a deadline, act promptly and speak with a licensed North Carolina attorney.