- Car Accidents
One of the first things any Carrollton car accident lawyer will tell you after your car accident is that you need to go to the hospital. It doesn’t matter if you think you’re hurt or not. Even if you’re a doctor, there’s no way to know if you’ve suffered internal bleeding or a traumatic brain injury.
When the police arrive at the crash scene, they’ll make sure you’re transported to the emergency room. Once there, you’ll get the treatment you need. After this, it’s important that you call and speak with an experienced Carrollton car accident lawyer. They can help you file your claim with the insurance company. They’ll also deal with the health insurance companies when you settle your lawsuit to ensure that they are reimbursed.
You Won’t Be Denied Treatment at the Hospital
When you arrive at the hospital, they will treat you. They can’t refuse to treat you especially if you’ve suffered serious injuries. What will happen is they’ll have you fill out paperwork when you arrive at the E.R. One of the questions will be: “Are your injuries related to a motor vehicle accident.” You’ll have to check off the box here. This way, the hospital knows to follow up for payment if you file suit.
At some point, you’ll provide them with the name and contact information of your Georgia car accident lawyer. Throughout the course of your case, they’ll stay in touch with them to make sure they know the progress of your suit. Once the case settles or a judgment is awarded, they will expect to be reimbursed.
This is true whether your medical care was covered under private health insurance or Medicare/Medicaid. In fact, they’ll likely file a lien against your lawsuit to ensure payment. This way they are paid before you get the residual proceeds.
Your Primary Health Insurance Company Will Cover Your Initial Care
As mentioned above, the hospital isn’t going to deny treatment. What they’ll do is ask if you have private health insurance. If you do, they’ll submit the bills to the carrier. The same is true if you have Medicare or Medicaid.
If you have none of these things, the hospital will do one of two things. They may cover your car and write it off if you never win your case. Or they’ll cover it under charity care. Of course, their goal is to be reimbursed. They understand that they may not be paid for quite some time. That’s why it’s important that you keep all of your “Explanation of Benefits” forms and give them to your Carrollton car accident lawyer.
Your Carrollton Car Accident Lawyer Will Have to Make Sure the Carrier is Reimbursed
One of the things your Carrollton car accident lawyer will have to do when you receive your settlement proceeds is pay out any outstanding bills. One of the big ones will be your medical care. When your attorney files your initial lawsuit, they’re going to demand a certain amount for medical bills.
Depending on how your settlement is drafted, the money for medical care may be kept separate from the other proceeds. If this is the case, you won’t have to worry about not having enough to pay the medical providers. However, if you settle for a lower amount, your Carrollton car accident lawyer may need to negotiate a reduced payment to the insurance companies.
Imagine that you sue the defendant for $500,000. You end up settling for $300,000. Your car accident lawyer gets their fee first. This will be approximately $100,000. That only leaves $200,000. Consider that your medical bills were $200,000.
If this entire amount is paid, it won’t leave any funds for other out-of-pocket expenses or auto repairs. Your Carrollton auto accident lawyer may reach out to the health provider and see if they are willing to take a reduced amount – perhaps $100,000. If so, that will leave you with enough money to cover any other outstanding bills.
Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced Carrollton Car Accident Attorney
If you happen to get into a car accident, you need to go to the hospital. The last thing you should worry about at this point is whether your treatment will be covered by insurance. Your health must be your priority. Either your private health insurance will cover it, or the hospital will bill the other driver’s insurance company.
Rather than worry about how these bills will be handled, call and talk to an experienced Carrollton car accident lawyer. Set up a date to come in and have your free, initial consultation. Let a seasoned attorney give you an idea of what to do next.