If you have been involved in an auto accident that resulted in injuries, you are going to have medical expenses. Who was at fault and the insurance policies that are in place have a lot to do with who will be paying your medical expenses. In some states, you must have coverage for medical expenses that are specified for a set dollar amount – from $1,000 to $25,000 – if your insurance will cover your medical bills if you were at fault for the crash. If you don’t have adequate car insurance to cover the medical expenses, your health insurance should foot the bill.
Liability and Medical Bills
If another driver was at fault for the crash, their insurance should foot the bill. You will have to file a personal injury claim and specify all your damages and include copies of your medical bills. Personal injury claims are challenging. To have a successful personal injury claim, you will have to prove that the other driver was negligent, and you will have to show that negligence is what caused the crash and your injuries. There are four elements of negligence – duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages. All four elements must be proven to show that the other driver is responsible for what happened.
Damages Pursued in a Personal Injury Claim
If another party is at-fault for the accident, then they are responsible for your damages. If you have suffered injuries, then you can also claim pain and suffering. If your injuries kept you from working, you can claim lost wages and, also future lost wages if you will be missing work in the future. If your medical care is ongoing, you will have future medical expenses as well. Here are some of the most common damages claimed in an accident injury case:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Future loss of earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Property damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Getting a Fair Settlement
Insurance companies are in the business to make money. So, instead of offering a fair settlement, they are going to try to get by with paying out as little as possible. To get treated more fairly, you should enlist the help of a personal injury attorney who is licensed in your state. Accident injury lawyers are familiar with state and local laws and have negotiation tactics that will help you get a fair settlement for your damages.
Consult with a Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been injured in an auto accident and you are facing a challenge with having your medical expenses covered, you should consult with a personal injury attorney who practices in your area. Personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means your accident injury lawyer will not be paid until you are compensated for your damages through a judgment or settlement. You have nothing to lose. A strict statute of limitations does apply, so don’t delay. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page today!
