A Personal Injury Lawyer in Syracuse Explains Who Pays For Medical Bills After A Car Accident
When you are involved in a car accident and suffer injuries, the medical bills can start to pile up quickly. A car accident alone is stressful but if you suffer injuries on top of that and add in dealing with insurance companies and filing a personal injury claim, it can often seem very overwhelming. This is why seeking a knowledgeable, experienced personal injury lawyer is so important.
Health Insurance
If you have health insurance, whether through your employer or otherwise, it is a way to pay for the initial medical costs. If the case settles in your favor, you may get enough to compensate and cover costs most of your immediate costs, but what about other real financial losts? What about lost wages?
Medical Payments / No Fault Coverage
When you purchase a car insurance policy you may be asked if you want “med pay.” This is an optional coverage whereby the insurance company will pay for medical costs regardless of who is at fault. These policies usually have a limit of $5,000 and are paid out even before a law suit is complete. If the settlement is reached in your favor, you will be required to reimburse the insurance company for your medical expenses they have paid out. For more information on these types of insurance policies, it is best to speak to your insurance agent.
Upfront Costs and How To Pay Them
If you are involved in a car accident, you will have to cover your initial medical costs. Later it may be determined that the driver of the other car was the one at fault and then they will have to cover the medical expenses. There are several option you have to help you take care of the medical bills you will have after a car accident.
Medicare / Medicaid
They usually will pay for treatment, but when it comes to being paid back they can be more aggressive.
Signing a Lien
Many hospitals and doctors will agree to you signing a lien, which means that payment for services are postponed until the end of the case. If you lose the case, you are responsible in paying whatever medical costs you have incurred.
Out Of Your Pocket
If the hospital or doctor is not willing to sign a lien and you have no other option, you will have to pay medical expenses out of your own pocket and hope for a quick settlement of your case.
If you would like to talk to a Syracuse car accident lawyer about your potential case, please call us toll free at (800) 638-2998. You may also use one of our convenient online contact forms and one of our attorneys will call you at a time that is convenient for you. All consultations are FREE, and you never have to pay a fee unless your case is successful.
For over 38 years, our personal injury attorneys have successfully helped clients with all types of injury and accident cases throughout Syracuse and Central New York. Contact us now for a free consultation, and let our experienced legal team help you put your life back together.
