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How to Handle Medical Bills After a Car Accident?
If you’re involved in a car accident in Atlanta, figuring out your next steps can be stressful, to say the least. You may be without a car, you might be unable to work, and perhaps worst of all, medical bills may pile up quickly. Because of this, it’s vital you learn about your legal options after a collision.
There are multiple ways your medical bills may be handled after a car accident. In short, you will likely have to pay for your expenses out-of-pocket at first, but your insurance company or the provider of the at-fault driver may reimburse you, depending on the outcome of your personal injury lawsuit. An experienced car accident lawyer in Atlanta can help you figure out all of your options for paying your bills after a wreck.
Options for repaying medical bills include:
If you are found at fault for the car accident, you are financially responsible for the other person’s medical and car repair bills. Depending on your car insurance coverages, your insurer may pay for some or all of these costs.
However, if you’re not at fault, the other driver’s insurance company will end up paying at least part of your medical and car repair expenses. However, both your insurance and the other driver’s insurance will conduct an investigation before any settlement is paid out. That means you may not be able to get immediate reimbursement for medical expenses and other costs.
Of course, once your insurance company finally does send a settlement offer, there’s a good chance it’s going to be a lowball offer. If you accept this offer, you give up your opportunity to file a lawsuit for further compensation. That’s why it’s important to talk to a car accident attorney in Atlanta about all of your legal options before you accept any settlement offer from your insurer.
Whether you have private health insurance or you’re on Medicare/Medicaid, your health insurance policy will pay for your medical bills after a car accident. You may still be responsible for any copays or other immediate expenses, but otherwise, your insurance policy will pay your expenses, just like any other injury.
It’s important to remember, however, that your insurance policy will only pay for what’s included in your coverage. For instance, if you are taken to the hospital via ambulance, and ambulance rides aren’t included in your insurance policy, you may be on the hook for that expense.
If you can’t afford these bills before you get a settlement offer, the hospital may work with you to set up a payment plan. Many hospitals will allow you to make small payments monthly until you get your settlement case resolved. Just be sure you speak with their accounting department to make sure they understand the situation. Otherwise, you may find yourself at the mercy of a collections agency — which can devastate your credit.
Though it’s the least desirable way to handle your medical bills, there are times you may have to pay out of pocket. For instance, if you don’t have insurance and no settlement has been made to you by the insurance company, you may have no choice but to pay the hospital directly with your own money.
You may be able to get a loan to cover your expenses. However, if you have bad credit, your only option may be a settlement loan, which is essentially borrowing against your settlement offer. These loans often have high-interest rates and it is best to talk everything over with your attorney first to make sure it is the best option and you are comfortable with the interest that will accrue.
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Speak to an Experienced Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer Today
Dealing with the expenses after a car accident can seem all but impossible, especially if you’re out of work and stuck in a hospital bed. The good news is, an Atlanta car accident attorney can help. A lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company to make sure you get the full compensation you deserve, and you get your settlement as quickly as possible.
At Rafi Law Firm, our lawyers know how to get you the compensation you deserve. We only take on a limited number of cases a year so we can fully focus on helping you. Call us at 404-800-1156 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation today!
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