Sustaining injuries from an auto accident can be a harrowing experience. The aftermath of the accident can be even more challenging, especially if you incur significant medical bills. As your medical bills accumulate, you may start to worry about whether you will have out-of-pocket expenses. This situation can be overwhelming and frustrating, leaving you wondering what your next course of action should be.
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With an experienced personal injury attorney as your advocate, you can typically seek enough compensation to cover your medical expenses or employ alternative methods to prevent or reduce any out-of-pocket spending.
At The Barnes Firm, we understand the impact that an accident can have on your life, and we are committed to providing you with the legal support necessary to help you achieve a favorable settlement that covers your medical expenses. If you’ve suffered injuries from a personal injury incident and your medical bills are piling up, contact The Barnes Firm for comprehensive personal injury legal services.
Factors that Determine the Settlement Amount
It is possible for a personal injury settlement to be less than the plaintiff’s total medical expenses. However, there are many strategies attorneys deploy to avoid this and reduce any out-of-pocket expenses.
As the injured party, it can be frustrating when your settlement amount does not meet your expectations. It is important to remember that there are numerous factors that contribute to the settlement amount other than the amount of medical bills.
Our skilled personal injury attorneys work diligently to negotiate the maximum compensation possible so that you can focus on your recovery without added stress or financial burden. When negotiating a settlement amount, there are numerous factors considered.
Insurance Policy Limits
The auto insurance coverage amount required varies by state. Depending on the state in which the defendant resides and their personal choice of coverage, they may not have a large enough policy to cover your medical expenses.
Generally, settlements in personal injury cases rarely exceed the available insurance policy limits. If your medical bills exceed those limits, you still have legal options to seek compensation directly from the defendant or from your own auto insurance policy.
If your medical expenses are higher than the available coverage, our personal injury attorneys will seek the full amount of the defendant’s policy and then work to reduce the remaining medical expenses.
Medical Expenses
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As the injured party, your health and recovery through proper medical treatment should be your top priority. While watching medical bills collect can be worrisome, it is important to remember that the main purpose of your personal injury claim is to obtain compensation that reimburses your medical expenses.
As a treat, your healthcare providers, whose services you used after the accident, will submit their bills to your insurance provider. The total of these bills, along with any potential future medical expenses that you may need as a result of your injuries, will be taken into account when negotiating a settlement.
It is important to have a thorough understanding of the extent of your injuries and the potential long-term effects they may have on your physical health and well-being. As your advocate, our personal injury lawyers work tirelessly to ensure that you receive compensation to cover not only current medical bills but also any future bills and expenses that may arise as a result of your injuries.
Facts of the Accident
In some cases, the plaintiff presents medical expenses and receives proper compensation. However, there are numerous factors that can complicate settlement negotiations. It is crucial to understand that the unique facts of each case can dramatically impact the settlement amount.
Some of the most significant factors include:
- The extent of the physical injuries sustained,
- The overall impact of the accident on your life,
- The level of negligence of the other party,
- The severity of property damage, and
- If the plaintiff had prior injuries.
These unique facts of the case impact the amount a defendant’s insurance company is willing to settle. For instance, if there was minimal property damage to two vehicles involved in a low-speed collision, the defendants will likely deny or diminish that serious injury and high medical bills were a result of the accident.
Personal injury cases can be incredibly complex as all these variables, and more come into play during settlement negotiations.
How Medical Bills are Paid from the Settlement
Most medical facilities understand the financial burden that a personal injury accident can cause and offer discounted rates, flexible payment plans, and hold accounts until the settlement amount is received.
If the settlement amount is inadequate to cover all medical expenses, your own medical pay policy, uninsured or underinsured motorist policy, and your health insurance can help cover any remaining medical expenses.
Additionally, our dedicated personal injury attorneys will negotiate the amount of each bill with the corresponding medical provider to prevent or reduce out-of-pocket medical costs.
Personal Injury Protection and Medical Payments Coverage
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Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Medical Payment (MedPay) are types of insurance coverage that provide payment to medical providers following an auto accident. It is also known as “no-fault” coverage, as it pays out regardless of who was at fault in the accident.
It is designed to help cover the cost of medical bills for you and any passengers in your car at the time of the accident.
It’s important to keep in mind that PIP and MedPay are not mandatory in every state. However, having this type of coverage can help you save thousands of dollars in medical bills and related expenses, especially when the defendant’s coverage does not cover the extent of your medical bills.
Health Insurance
Health insurance coverage serves as secondary coverage to your PIP and MedPay coverage and can be a major asset in your personal injury case. If a medical provider is unable to hold your account until settlement, your health insurance coverage can make payments and prevent accounts from going into collections. It can also reduce the amount you owe drastically.
However, it is important to be aware that your health insurance provider may need to be reimbursed or partially reimbursed from the personal injury settlement for any expenses they paid related to your injuries. This is known as a lien on the case.
Essentially, it means that if you receive a settlement, a portion of that money will need to be paid back to your health insurance provider. It’s essential to work with an experienced personal injury attorney who can negotiate with your health insurance company to ensure that your lien is handled in the most favorable manner possible.
How Our Injury Attorneys at The Barnes Firm Can Help
Our experienced attorneys understand that navigating these legal and insurance complexities can be overwhelming and stressful. That’s why we provide you with an informative and empathetic approach to guide you through the legal process. We’ll investigate your case, gather evidence, and work tirelessly to negotiate a settlement that covers all your financial damages.
One of the most significant advantages of working with The Barnes Firm is our team’s dedication to getting our clients the best possible outcome. We prioritize your needs and work with medical providers to ensure you receive the care you need without undue financial burden.
Contact The Barnes Firm today at (800) 800-0000 to schedule a free consultation with our accomplished legal team.
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