After a bad accident, injured victims must contend with high medical bills. Medical care is becoming increasingly expensive, and more accident victims rely on legal action to collect payment for medical bills.
There are multiple ways an attorney can help you collect payment for medical bills after an accident. Since Mississippi is a fault-based state, your lawyer can help you file a claim against the other driver’s insurance and prove to the insurance company that the other driver caused the accident. Our lawyers can help you file a lawsuit if your insurance claim is denied. If you would rather avoid a trial, a Hattiesburg car accident lawyer can help you negotiate a settlement agreement with the other driver in which most if not all of your medical bills are paid for. While the defendant’s insurance often pays for medical bills, the defendant might pay these themselves if they are uninsured. Alternatively, you can collect payment from your own insurance if the defendant is insolvent.
After an accident, our Mississippi car accident lawyers can help you collect payment for your medical bills and more. For a free case evaluation, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
Filing Insurance Claims in Mississippi to Collect Payment for Medical Expenses
After a car accident, injured drivers often turn to insurance as their first choice for paying medical bills and other damages. Mississippi is a fault-based insurance state, and drivers must file third-party claims against other drivers’ insurance. However, simply filing the claim is not enough. You must prove that the other driver is at fault for the accident, or their insurance company will deny your claims.
In Mississippi, all drivers are required by law to carry liability insurance. Liability coverage helps drivers pay for the damage they cause if they are found at fault for an accident. The state requires all drivers to carry a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injuries. This money can help pay for your medical bills after you file an insurance claim.
To collect payments, you need proof of the accident and evidence to show that the other driver is at fault. In many circumstances, insurance companies want to see a police report from the accident. In some cases, insurance companies have denied claims if claimants could not produce police reports. If you did not report your accident, our Mississippi personal injury attorney can help you speak with the police about reporting the accident and getting a copy of the police report for your insurance claim.
Even if most of your medical bills are covered by your own health insurance, you might still have some medical costs. Health insurance often does not cover 100% of your expenses. People usually must pay a deductible before their health insurance kicks in. Depending on your health insurance policy and the extent of your medical needs, your deductible might be very high, and you can make the other driver’s insurance pay it for you.
Collecting Payment for Medical Bills Through a Lawsuit in Mississippi
If your insurance claim does not work out, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver to get your medical bills and other damages paid. Lawsuits are notoriously complex and time-consuming, and you should consider hiring a Biloxi car accident lawyer to help you. You will need evidence to support your claims, just like in an insurance claim, but lawsuits come with very strict evidentiary rules and procedures that must be followed at all times. Our Valdosta car accident attorneys can help you get started.
Your lawsuit begins with a complaint filed against the defendant. In your case, the defendant is the other driver or multiple drivers responsible for causing the accident. The complaint must contain important details about who the defendants are, how the accident happened, why the defendants are to blame, and how much compensation you need to cover your damages.
You need as much evidence as possible to support your claims in a personal injury lawsuit. Lawsuits are not won easily. Juries must be sure of their decision before reaching a verdict, and the more evidence you can present proving the defendant should be held liable, the better.
Reaching Settlement Agreements for Medical Costs in Mississippi
Trials are often long, frustrating, and emotionally draining. It might be possible to cut your trial short and collect payment for your medical bills through a settlement agreement. Our Marietta personal injury lawyers can help you negotiate a good settlement agreement, although you might need to compromise a bit.
Settlements are determined by intense negotiations between the defendant and us. These negotiations occur outside the courtroom and are considered private agreements, although the terms of a settlement are usually legally binding. Because both parties must agree to the settlement, both parties should be prepared to compromise. For example, you might get all your medical bills covered in a settlement, but not your pain and suffering.
To negotiate a good settlement, you will need strong evidence. Even though a judge and jury are not necessarily evaluating your evidence, you still need it as leverage. If settlement negotiations break down, you need evidence to fall back on when you go to trial. If you have stronger evidence, the defendant might be more willing to compromise during negotiations because they do not want to lose in a trial.
Where Does the Money for Medical Bills Come from in Mississippi?
Typically, medical bills are paid by the defendant’s insurance company. Whether we file an insurance claim or a lawsuit, the defendant’s insurance company is likely footing the bill. However, this is not always the case. If we file a lawsuit because the defendant is uninsured, the defendant would be responsible for paying your medical bills out of their own pocket.
Unfortunately, defendants cannot always pay for a plaintiff’s medical bills out of pocket. If the defendant is uninsured and insolvent, you might have to turn to your own insurance to cover your damages. In Mississippi, uninsured motorist coverage is not required but can be purchased in addition to the mandatory insurance requirements. If you do not have uninsured motorist coverage, our Biloxi car accident lawyers can help you explore other legal options for compensation for medical bills.
Contact Our Mississippi Car Accident Lawyers for Help with Your Medical Bills
After an accident, you might be dealing with high medical bills while trying to recover and put your life back together. Our Macon car accident lawyers can help you collect payments for your medical bills from those responsible for your injuries. Call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 for a free case review.
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