While property loss after a car accident can lead to significant expenses, it might barely compare to the mounting bills acquired throughout the recovery of an injury. Those who have been severely injured might consider not paying their medical bills and waiting for a settlement or judgment on their claim, but this is not advisable. Ignoring medical costs can affect your credit scores negatively. Also, if you do not pay for your treatment, some specialist may stop seeing you. An experienced car accident lawyer Memphis, TN trusts from our firm can help you get the compensation you deserve. Therefore, instead of avoiding the hospital expenses, use the tools available to you to pay down the rising costs.
Workers’ Compensation
If you were injured while performing duties for your job, you might be eligible to collect workers’ compensation benefits. Your attorney will check if this is an option for you, and if it is, then these benefits typically kick in faster than other insurance policies.
Personal Injury Protection
PIP or personal injury protection is specific to your auto insurance policy. While this coverage can help you pay down expenses, the value is finite, and it is paid out on a first come first serve basis, meaning that bills that get to your insurer first will be paid, until the policy threshold is met.
Health Insurance
Your private health insurance should be willing to cover some of the initial medical expenses, if not all, depending on your policy. However, these costs will be identified as resulting from an accident, and your insurer will likely want to recoup those losses, especially if you reach a settlement or win a judgment.
Medicaid or Medicare
Both Medicaid and Medicare will step up to help you get the treatment you need. However, before they provide any coverage, you will need to use the entirety of your PIP coverage. Your lawyer is responsible for notifying the insurance providers when your PIP policy is used up.
Liens
If you have no options for paying your medical expenses, then you can ask your attorney about possible liens. An attorney lien is when a hospital agrees to continue your treatments with the understanding that they recover their costs from any settlement or judgment before excess funds are dispersed to you.
There are several options available that allow you to receive the treatment you need without ruining your credit or going into significant debt. If you were in an accident and are unsure of your options for receiving and paying for medical treatment, then contact a car accident lawyer in DC and request a meeting.
Thanks to The Law Office of Frederick J. Brynn, P.C. for their insight into personal injury claims and staying out of debt after a car accident injury.