Posted on Monday, November 11th, 2019 at 3:52 am
Being involved in an automobile accident can be stressful, especially if you suffer injuries because of the accident. In addition to dealing with the pain and suffering caused by a physical injury, you also must deal with the cost of medical care. Depending on the severity of automobile accident injuries, the cost of medical treatment can be expensive. Who pays for medical care after an auto accident?
What Types of Medical Treatment are Common After an Automobile Accident?
An accident victim should seek medical care as soon as possible after a car accident to protect their health. It is also important to document injuries as soon as possible to protect the right to recover compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, and other damages caused by an automobile accident. Delays in seeking a doctor could be viewed negatively by the insurance provider. The insurance adjuster might argue that your lack of medical care immediately after the accident means that you were not injured in the accident or your injuries were not severe enough to require medical care. Common types of medical treatment after an automobile accident include:
- Emergency room visit
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Doctor’s visits
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Pain Maintenance
You could have additional medical treatment based on your specific injuries. Victims with severe injuries or life-threatening injuries often require extensive medical treatment for an extended period.
Who Pays for My Medical Care?
After your accident, you are responsible for the payment of medical treatment for your injuries. In many cases, health insurance pays the cost of medical treatment after an auto accident. However, if you do not have health insurance, Medicaid or other government assistance may pay for medical care. In some cases, individuals may need to work out an agreement with their medical providers regarding payment for services. If a medical provider knows that the injuries were the result of an automobile accident, the health care provider may agree to continue treatment for a promise of payment when the personal injury claim is settled. Some providers require patients to sign a medical lien ensuring payment from the personal injury proceeds. A Sacramento personal injury lawyer can often assist you in working out an agreement with your doctors regarding payment. If another driver or party is responsible for causing the automobile accident, that party should be responsible for the payment of your medical expenses. However, the insurance company does not pay your medical providers directly. The cost of medical care is included in your personal injury claim. Therefore, you will not receive this money until your claim is settled.
Why Do I Have to Wait to Receive My Money for Medical Expenses?
The insurance company for the other driver is only liable for your medical care if its insured driver caused the accident. You cannot receive compensation for your medical care and other damages until you prove that the other driver caused the crash. Also, you do not want to settle your claim before your medical treatment is completed and you know the full extent of your injuries. Settling your claim too early could result in the loss of thousands of dollars in compensation that you should receive based on your injuries and damages.
Seek Help from a Sacramento Automobile Accident Lawyer
Our experienced lawyers work with accident victims to recover compensation for their injuries, financial losses, and other damages. We can help you know when it is the right time to settle your claim and how much your car accident claim is worth. Contact The Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 or by visiting our website to schedule a free consultation with one of our California personal injury attorneys.
