If you have been injured in a car accident in the Glendale/LA area, one of the first questions you probably have is, how you are going to deal with your medical bills? It is reasonable to expect that if someone else caused your injuries, they should have to pay for bills that you ended up with because of your injuries.
An attorney can help you hold the negligent party responsible for your injuries. After all, you have the right to receive compensation for medical problems caused by someone else. It’s imperative to seek legal help after an accident, because a qualified attorney will be able to help you recover more than you’d likely be able to recover yourself. However, it’s also worth noting that good settlements can take time to achieve.
When Will I Get Help with Medical Bills?
Your bills may include anything from ambulance bills to emergency room bills to bills from your personal doctor, chiropractor or physical therapist. At the same time, depending how severe your injuries are, you may be unable to work for a while, making it even more stressful to think about these bills.
The amount of time it takes to settle your case can vary anywhere from a few months to a couple of years or longer. If your case is fairly minor, it may settle in four to six months. But, if you have severe injuries and need surgeries, specialists or extensive therapy, it will take a lot longer.
Many injury victims will give into the impulse of settling as fast as possible to obtain a small portion of compensation and move on with their lives. However, insurance companies know you need money now and they will use that to their advantage by serving you unfairly low settlement offers. A quick settlement is not worth continuing to be stuck with a significant portion of medical bills.
Why Does It Take So Long to Receive Compensation?
Settlement negotiations don’t usually begin until after treatment is complete. If you have fairly minor injuries, once treatment is finished, your case should be able to be settled. When injuries are severe and treatment is still ongoing, negotiations won’t start until treatment is complete.
The insurance company may try to find reasons not to pay. They may attempt to minimize your injuries or try to make it seem like you were at least partially at fault. When the insurance company is being unreasonable, your personal injury attorney will need to file a lawsuit.
Paying Your Bills
You may feel stressed about the fact that your medical bills are coming now even though you may not receive your settlement for a while. Even though you know that in the end the person who caused the accident is liable for these bills, you still have to worry about ruining your credit by not paying them.
It’s important to speak to a personal injury lawyer so that you clearly understand all your options. Here are some options that are available to you while your case is being settled:
- Your own health insurance – If you do have health insurance through your employer, it will most likely pay most of your medical bills. After you receive your settlement, you will be expected to pay them back.
- Medicare or Medicaid – Your bills may be paid by them, but they will be very insistent on being paid back.
- Sign a lien – This means that you sign an agreement with the hospital or individual doctors that they will treat you now and you will pay them when the case is over.
- Out of pocket – If you have no other options, you may have to pay your bills out of pocket and hope your case settles quickly so that you can be reimbursed.
Get the Treatment You Need
Regardless of the expense, it’s important to get the medical care you need immediately after an accident. You may not even realize that you have been injured at first. It may take several days before you recognize that you have been hurt.
Whenever you feel symptoms of injury after a car accident, obtain an evaluation from a doctor. Your doctor’s records will serve as evidence of the extent of your injuries and the treatment that you need because of the accident.
Hire a Good Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been injured in a car accident, contact Megeredchian Law using the form on this page. One of our experienced attorneys will get back to you very soon to help you get the compensation you deserve.