Accidents may occur at anytime to anyone. Negligence on someone’s part might lead to an accident and cause injury to you. The big question in this scenario is who pays for your medical treatment?
A personal injury settlement is an excellent outcome as long as it is fair and just. Winning a favorable verdict in a personal injury lawsuit is great as well. But both these solutions will take some time to get the best results. And they cannot pay for your urgent medical bills right away while you undergo treatment for your injuries.
People typically rely on their health care provider for treatment. But if you have injuries resulting from an accident and no health insurance coverage, read on to find out about a few things that can help you pay your medical bills.
Who is Liable to Pay After an Accident?
In North Carolina, if you are the victim of a car crash, the insurance company of the negligent driver is liable to cover your medical expenses. But this can be a tedious and drawn-out process. You need to send all the bills and records of your car repairs and medical treatments to the driver’s insurance company.
The insurance company then makes an offer after reviewing all the records. You can then be involved in lengthy negotiations to reach a satisfactory settlement. This can take time depending upon the severity of your injuries and the time and cost it takes to fully treat them. An extended settlement process can beset you with huge medical and other expenses. Let us discuss some of the ways you can pay for the treatments when you need them.
Deferred Medical Payments
Some health care providers agree to wait for your medical bill payments until your settlement or lawsuit concludes. But to ensure that you will recover sufficient damages to be able to pay the bills, they need you to hire a competent attorney for your case.
Some medical providers, on the other hand, may refuse treatment for the lack of adequate health insurance coverage. Look for a personal injury attorney who can guide you to find care providers suitable for your needs. Discuss all options with your attorney and the medical care provider, at the start of your treatment.
Your Car Insurance
Additional provisions in your car insurance cover can help you pay for your medical treatment in case of injuries from a crash. Medpay (Medical Payments Coverage) starts instantly while insurance settlements can take a long time. Premiums too are quite low.
Since your car insurance company foots the bill for your medical care, they have an interest in you claiming a substantial settlement from the driver’s insurance company. This encourages them to make an extra effort to deal with your settlement claim.
Apart from MedPay, there are other provisions for claiming medical bill compensation in your car insurance coverage. Take advice from your personal injury attorney to know if you are eligible under the uninsured provisions of the car insurance coverage.
Payment Arrangements with Medical Care Providers
Some health care providers and physicians are willing to work with accident victims without health insurance coverage. They are willing to wait for payments until after the verdict or settlement. In return, they will need you to sign a personal injury lien endorsed by your attorney.
More Options
If neither of the parties involved in a crash has insurance coverage, and there are no deferral or other options, you are liable to pay your medical bills. In such a case, if the medical bills are debilitating, you may file for bankruptcy as a final resort. All medical bill payments are dischargeable in bankruptcy.
Premises Liability
In slip and fall cases, if the property owner has liability insurance cover with MedPay, the insurance company may pay the injured person’s medical bills. But the compensation is limited up to the amount covered in MedPay and the injured person must pay all costs beyond that.
Work-Related Injuries
For injuries in an accident that is work-related, you can file for a workers’ compensation claim. The insurer will most likely cover all your medical bills. You are also eligible to receive reimbursement for expenses on travel to your medical appointments.
Keep a Record of All Bills and Reports
You need to gather copies of all your medical reports and bills and hand them over to your personal injury attorney. The attorney will present these to the other driver’s insurer, and ensure you get the maximum compensation permissible under the North Carolina laws.
Discuss Your Options with Our Personal Injury Attorneys
If you are a victim of an accident and are facing problems in your treatment owing to a lack of insurance coverage, reach out to us at Shapiro, Appleton,& Washburn. You will have the full import of our legal expertise and accumulated experience behind you. To discuss your legal options with us, call us at (833) 997-1774 for a free consultation.
References
https://www.hsinjurylaw.com/library/nc-underinsured-motorist-claim-info.cfm
https://www.hsinjurylaw.com/library/MedPay-Benefits.mp3
https://www.hsinjurylaw.com/library/Uninsured-Motorist-Coverage-Info.pdf