If you were involved in an Ohio car accident, you may not yet be ready to settle with the insurance company of the at-fault driver until you have fully recovered from your injuries. In such a situation, how are you supposed to pay for your mounting medical bills? Learn more about your options for paying medical bills before the settlement comes.
Develop A Strategy and Prioritize Medical Bills
It’s important to prioritize which bills must be paid immediately, which can be sent to health insurance or Med Pay, and which can wait until settlement to be paid. To accomplish this, you’ll need a plan and to negotiate with your hospital, health insurance provider, auto insurer, and doctors.
It’s not the best idea to wait for the bills to pile up. Don’t be afraid to speak with your hospital and physicians to make a payment plan. You can also get help in this area by working with an attorney.
Health Insurance and Car Insurance Policies
If you have it, health insurance should be your main source to pay your medical bills. You will simply need to provide your doctor or hospital with the necessary details for them to bill your health insurance carrier directly.
If your health insurance does not cover your medical expenses, another option is to use the medical payments coverage under your car insurance policy. Medical payments coverage will pay for your medical bills, as well as the medical bills of your passengers—up to your policy limit.
This type of coverage is helpful for scenarios where you have health insurance but still need to pay deductibles and co-pays. Medical coverage payments can be made regardless of which party caused the accident. Such coverage can be extremely convenient if medical payments need to be made before you are ready to make a final settlement with the at-fault driver.
Medicaid and Medicare May Be Able To Help You Before A Settlement Arrives
If you don’t have health insurance but qualify for Medicare or Medicaid, then these government programs may help cover medical bills from your auto accident.
Of course, keep in mind that the at-fault driver will still be responsible for any medical expenses paid by your health insurance company or auto insurance company. Your insurance company will expect to be reimbursed from any settlement you may arrive at with the at-fault driver’s insurance company—also known as subrogation.
A Lawyer Can Help if An Insurer Denies Your Accident Claim
As you struggle to cover your medical costs before you are ready to settle, do not discount the chance that an insurer may outright deny your claim. This is when an accident lawyer can file a personal injury lawsuit and take your case to trial. Depending on how the accident affected your life, the court may even award you additional damages.
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Follow Through With Your Treatment Plan After a Car Accident
It’s understandable to worry about your car accident medical bills before you settle your claim. Your immediate medical care and diagnostic testing alone can break the bank, especially if you suffered severe injuries.
Still, it is crucial to continue receiving any necessary medical treatment and follow through with your doctor’s instructions. Otherwise, an insurer may try to undervalue or outright deny your claim. For example, they may try to argue that you contributed to your losses by forgoing or delaying medical treatment.
Beware of Accepting an Unfair Car Accident Settlement
It can be tempting to accept an initial settlement made by an insurer, but it may not be in your best interest. Even if you are struggling with mounting medical debt, you will want to aim for fair compensation, which would include the costs of any ongoing medical care you will need.
A personal injury lawyer can help streamline the legal process as much as possible to help you get back on track. They can make sure you meet any filing deadlines and keep on top of your case as it progresses. The most important thing is that you access the medical treatment you need first. Your lawyers can negotiate for a fair settlement while you rest and recover from your injuries.
Learn How To Maximize Your Settlement With Help From an Attorney Today
Before you agree on a settlement amount, therefore, you must ensure the amount is enough to reimburse your insurance company and sufficiently compensate you for your injuries and losses.
Have you or a loved one been injured in a car accident? Then contact an experienced Ohio auto accident attorney to ensure your rights are protected. The Fitch Law Firm has 30+ years of experience helping auto accident injury victims get full and fair compensation.Call The Fitch Law Firm today for a free initial review of your personal injury case. You do not deserve to suffer due to someone else’s negligence. Let our lawyers help hold them accountable.