What is Florida’s 14-day rule after a car accident?
By Dr. Jeremiah Carlson, chiropractic physician · Jacksonville, FL · Reviewed Nov 2026
How the 14-day clock works
- Day 0 is the crash. Count calendar days, including weekends.
- “Initial services and care” must be provided, supervised, ordered, or prescribed by a licensed physician (MD or DO), dentist, chiropractic physician, or APRN, or provided in a hospital or by emergency transport (EMS). (s. 627.736(1)(a)1.)
- Follow-up care has to be based on a referral from one of those providers and consistent with the diagnosis from that first visit. (s. 627.736(1)(a)2.)
- Feeling fine isn’t a reason to wait. Neck and back pain often show up 24–72 hours later, after adrenaline wears off.
What if I went to the ER already?
An emergency room or urgent-care visit within 14 days can count as initial care. Many people still schedule a musculoskeletal exam afterward, because ER visits focus on ruling out emergencies, not on soft-tissue injuries of the neck and back.
What if it’s been more than 14 days?
If you had no qualifying care within 14 days, PIP can deny medical benefits for that crash. You may still have other ways to pay for care, such as health insurance, MedPay, or a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. Call us and we’ll talk through your options.
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Source: s. 627.736, Florida Statutes (2026). A 2026 bill to repeal Florida no-fault (SB 522 / HB 769) died in committee on March 13, 2026, so PIP still applies.
More questions
Does a chiropractor count for the 14-day rule?
Yes. Florida’s PIP statute lists chiropractic physicians licensed under chapter 460 among the providers who can give initial services and care within 14 days (s. 627.736(1)(a)1.).
Do weekends count toward the 14 days?
The statute says “within 14 days after the motor vehicle accident” and does not exclude weekends, so plan on calendar days.
I was a passenger. Does the 14-day rule apply to me?
Yes. Passengers can be covered by PIP, either under their own or a household policy or the vehicle’s policy, and the same 14-day requirement applies to PIP medical benefits.
Is the 14-day rule still in effect in 2026?
Yes. Bills to repeal Florida’s no-fault law died in the 2025 and 2026 sessions, so s. 627.736 and its 14-day rule are still current law.
Were you in a crash in Jacksonville?
Take the 60-second check to see where you are on the 14-day clock and what to do next, or call our front desk.