Car accidents are extremely disruptive to a person’s life in many unfortunate ways, including financially. Perhaps the most expensive aspect of many car accidents is the medical treatment needed by injured drivers.
Recovering medical expenses is not always easy, and it is important that you keep thorough records of all your medical bills. While some accident victims find an insurance claim is sufficient for their needs, many others have additional damages that need covering. In some cases, negligent drivers might be willing to reach settlement agreements where they pay for a certain sum of your damages but not everything you are owed. You might need to file a lawsuit to get the full range of your medical expenses and other damages paid for. Generally, insurance pays for a lot of medical expenses. If insurance is insufficient or unavailable, we can try to get the other driver to pay. No matter how you slice it, you likely need strong evidence of your medical bills and injuries to get any kind of compensation.
Reach out to our Georgia car accident attorneys by calling Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 and schedule a free review of your case.
Legal Options for Recovering Medical Expenses After a Georgia Car Accident
There is more than one way to recover medical expenses after an accident, and the best way may depend on your specific situation and circumstances. Of course, filing an insurance claim is often the go-to method for recovering medical expenses after a crash, but you should also talk to your attorney about other options. Many injured drivers find that a private settlement or lawsuit is a better option for their claims.
Insurance Options
Depending on your situation, you might have multiple insurance options after a car accident. After receiving medical care, many injured drivers seek compensation from their health insurance if they have any. Some drivers have nearly all their medical expenses covered by their health insurance, while others might only get a portion covered. Still, even if you are covered by health insurance, you might have to pay high deductibles.
Shortly after the crash and getting emergency medical care, injured drivers often prepare third-party insurance claims against the insurance company of the driver who hit them. Not only may such a claim help you recover damages for property damage (e.g., your damaged vehicle), but you can also get compensation for medical bills. If your health insurance does not cover all your medical expenses, a third-party claim may help fill in the gaps.
You might have additional insurance options such as MedPay or uninsured motorist coverage. MedPay is designed to help injured drivers, specifically with medical expenses. Uninsured motorist coverage might be necessary if the other driver does not have auto insurance and you cannot file a third-party claim.
Settlement Agreements
For some, insurance is unavailable or not enough to cover their expenses. Alternatively, you might have filed an insurance claim but it was denied. At that point, if you have yet to hire an attorney, you should do so. An attorney can help you negotiate a private settlement with the other driver.
A defendant usually agrees to pay a settlement because they do not think they would succeed at a trial or do not wish to endure the stress of a lawsuit. Typically, the amount of money paid in a settlement is negotiated by both parties. Keep in mind, the final settlement amount might not cover all your expenses.
Settlements may be useful for those whose medical expenses are relatively minor, and defendants might be more willing to just pay it and move on. They are also useful for those who want at least some of their expenses covered without having to go through the rigors of trial.
Settlement negotiations usually accompany a lawsuit or at least the potential for a lawsuit. Filing the lawsuit is usually your leverage in settlement talks.
Lawsuits
A lawsuit may help injured drivers whose medical expenses are so significant that insurance is not enough to cover everything. It might also be helpful for those whose accidents were especially serious and the defendant might have been very negligent.
A lawsuit can help you recover the full extent of your medical bills and other damages you incurred because of the accident. Unlike insurance policies, there are no terms or conditions that limit how much compensation you can receive.
A lawsuit requires a lot of preparation and work. We can help you assess your damages, gather evidence, and develop legal strategies to help you win your case.
Who Pays for Medical Expenses After a Georgia Car Accident?
Typically, insurance providers pay for medical expenses after a car accident. Whether you use your own health insurance, MedPay, or file a third-party claim, an insurance provider is likely footing the bill. However, you might end up paying out of your own pocket at first if you do not have your own insurance. As such, it is important to speak with an attorney about filing a claim with the other driver’s insurance or filing a lawsuit as soon as possible.
Even when you file a lawsuit and win, the defendant is likely covered by their insurance, so their insurance company still pays for your damages. However, if you need to file a lawsuit because the other driver is uninsured, they might have to foot the final bill themselves.
If the defendant cannot or refuses to pay for your damages, an attorney can help you take legal action to make them pay. We might need a court order garnishing their wages or placing a lien on their property or assets. A structured or lump sum settlement might also help you get compensation for your medical bills.
Call Our Georgia Car Accident Lawyers for Help Getting Compensation
Get in touch with our Atlanta car accident lawyers about scheduling a free case review by calling Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
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