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If you are in a car accident, the last thing you are thinking about is how you are going to pay your bills and medical expenses. Unfortunately, that can be a big concern, especially if you have suffered severe injuries.
Knowing who pays for your hospital bills can be confusing. If the other driver refuses to admit fault for the accident, it could become a contentious situation that could take time to sort out legally.
Medical Insurance
Especially when the accident is not your fault, you might be wondering why your insurance would have to cover your bills. Sorting out who pays for your hospital bills after your car accident can take time, and your medical treatment cannot wait. The hospital likely will not wait for payment, either.
Depending on the health insurance, your own insurance company may cover your bills so that they get paid and you do not rack up late payment fees or interest charges. Quick payment from your insurance company can also help keep collection agencies away. Depending on the severity of your injuries, your insurance may only cover a portion of the total cost.
You have legal options to get reimbursement for any copays or deductibles you paid out of pocket. Your insurance company can also seek reimbursement from the negligent driver’s insurance company.
Car Insurance
Some car insurance providers offer you additional medical coverage when you get injured. If you opt for this, your car insurance may also help you cover your bills. Coverage limits vary, and if you have comprehensive health insurance, you may have elected to forego this additional coverage on your car insurance.
Negligent Driver
Many people who suffer severe injuries in a car accident often think that the other driver will be on the hook for their medical expenses. In some cases, that is true, however, the at-fault driver’s insurance company often covers your bills.
Virginia law requires all drivers to have minimum insurance coverage for bodily injury or death to another person in a car accident. Many drivers choose to carry additional insurance coverage to protect themselves and their assets.
Initially, you might think this money will cover all your medical expenses, but this might not be true. A brain injury can leave a person with millions of dollars in medical costs. Never underestimate the amount of money you will need to live and heal. The more severe and life-threatening your injury, the more likely you will need substantial money to cover your medical needs and other financial losses related to your car accident.
Personal Injury Lawsuit
After a car accident, you are likely not thinking about a lawsuit. Your focus should be on your physical and mental needs, working diligently to get better and get back to your normal life as quickly as possible. However, getting back to your life could mean needing to hire a lawyer. You will need to prove the other driver was at fault for the accident with help from your lawyer. You and your lawyer will need to show:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care to drive safely.
- That driver breached the duty of care by driving unsafely.
- The driver caused an accident because of the breach, and you suffered injuries and losses.
Because you were there, you might think this is an easy proposition, but proving these elements to a legal standard can be difficult and requires substantial evidence. Your lawyer may work to get you compensation for the following:
- Pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress.
- Lost income.
- Lost earning potential.
- Loss of companionship.
- Loss of life enjoyment.
- Present and future medical expenses.
- Rehabilitation costs.
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be out of work for a long time. This can make it extremely difficult for most people to cover their expenses, especially substantial medical bills.
Your lawyer may work with medical experts to help determine your prognosis and how much time you will spend out of work. This gives your lawyer a better understanding of the total amount of compensation you will need to recover.
Knowing this is vital because the insurance company representing the at-fault driver may try to reach a quick settlement with you. A representative of the insurance company may even call you days after the crash and offer you a quick settlement. They may even try to pressure you to take the settlement offer.
If you take the settlement offer, you cannot go back to the insurance company later and ask for more money. When you sign the settlement offer, you will waive your right to bring any future claims. You should hire a skilled lawyer who can advocate for your best interests. They will determine the best course of action and whether or not you should accept a settlement.
Virginia Beach Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You Explore Your Options to Cover Accident-Related Hospital Bills
After a car accident, you are probably concerned about your health, especially if you have severe injuries. Speak with one of our Virginia Beach car accident lawyers. At East Coast Trial Lawyers, we will help you explore your legal options. Call us at 757-352-2237 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Virginia Beach, we proudly serve the communities of Chesapeake, Eastern Shore, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Suffolk, Virginia, as well as North Carolina and nationwide.
