Being involved in an accident can be a traumatic experience, both physically and financially, and it’s especially hard if medical bills are piling up. If the Houston or San Antonio hospital is calling and wants their money, and you’re still waiting for the other party to respond in an accident that wasn’t your fault, an accident lawyer can help you deal with these bills and get the compensation you deserve.
How Can an Accident Lawyer Help You with Your Medical Bills?
If the insurance company refuses to pay your medical bills, an accident attorney can negotiate with them and even file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. In a lawsuit, you can ask the court to order the at-fault party to pay your medical bills, as well as any other damages you have suffered. You may also need to file suit if the insurance company is offering you less than you deserve.
There are a number of ways a lawyer can help you throughout this process:
Negotiate With the Insurance Company
The insurance company for the at-fault party may try to deny your claim or offer you a lower settlement than you need to cover all your bills. An accident lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to get you the maximum amount of compensation and make sure they know you’ll be filing suit if they don’t negotiate in good faith.
File a Lawsuit
If the insurance company refuses to pay your medical bills or refuses to negotiate a settlement that’s reasonable, an accident lawyer can file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. In a lawsuit, you can ask the court to order the at-fault party to pay your medical bills as well as any other damages you have suffered.
Help You Understand What You’re Owed
The law can be complicated, and it can be difficult to understand your rights after an accident. A lawyer can help you understand everything and make sure that you are not taken advantage of by the insurance company or the at-fault party. In some cases, the insurance company may try to tell you that certain medical procedures or devices aren’t necessary and thus won’t be paid for. Your lawyer can help you here. In addition, your lawyer will help you make sure you don’t miss a single thing that you can legitimately claim.
Represent You in Court
If you need to go to court, a lawyer can represent you and fight for your best interests. An experienced personal injury lawyer has the experience and knowledge necessary to navigate the legal system, and you are unlikely to get a good outcome with a lawyer’s help, especially if you go to court.
Talk to the Hospital
If you’re being pestered by the hospital over medical bills, they may be much more willing to back off and wait once your lawyer talks to them. Knowing you have a personal injury lawyer helping you to get what you deserve will give them confidence that they will get paid and make them more likely to have patience.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Receive for My Medical Bills?
The amount of compensation you can receive for your medical bills will depend on a number of factors, including the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical treatment, and the percentage of fault of the other driver relative to yours. In general, you can recover the following types of compensation for your medical bills specifically:
- The cost of your primary medical treatment
- The cost of any future medical treatment
- The cost of therapy and counseling
- The cost of any emergency services you required
- The cost of all follow-up visits to doctors or physical therapists
- The cost of medications
- The cost of any telehealth conferences
How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?
At our firm, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not have to pay anything upfront. We’ll only get paid if we are successful in getting you compensation, which is a great relief if you’re dealing with medical bills. The fee will typically be a percentage of the amount of compensation you receive, and the percentage varies by how complicated the case is and how much time goes into it. We’ll talk to you about it all during your free consultation.
Some FAQ About Injury Cases
You Said My Compensation Will Depend in Part On My Level of Fault: What Does That Mean?
Texas’ Proportionate Responsibility doctrine, also known as modified comparative negligence, is a set of laws that govern how damages are awarded in personal injury cases. Under these rules, a person who is injured in an accident may recover damages from the at-fault party, but their recovery may be reduced if they are also at fault for the accident.
The amount the damages are reduced depends on the percentage of fault that is assigned to each party. For example, if you are found to be 25% at fault for an accident, your recovery will be reduced by 25%. This means that if you are awarded $100,000 in damages, you will only receive $75,000 in the end. If you’re more than 50% at fault, you normally cannot recover any compensation, though there are a few exceptions.
For example, if you were injured by the intentional act of another person, you may be able to recover full damages, even if you are also found to be at fault for the accident. The Proportionate Responsibility rules are designed to ensure that people who are injured in accidents are fairly compensated for their losses while also holding everyone accountable for their actions.
How Long Does It Take to Settle?
In general, it usually takes a few months. However, in very complicated cases, it can take years for the insurance companies to settle. Thankfully, this is fairly rare, and the best way to get an insurance company to play ball is to retain a lawyer. Be sure not to take the first settlement offer the insurance company sends your way. It’s almost always a lowball offer, and you should always discuss any offer with your lawyer.
What If the Hospital Won’t Wait?
There are a number of things you can do if you cannot afford to pay your medical bills while you wait for the insurance companies to settle. One option is to apply for financial assistance from your health insurance company or the state. Another option is to apply for a loan to cover your medical bills. You may also be able to negotiate a payment plan with your medical providers, and your lawyer is a great resource for any negotiations of this type.
Talk to a Houston and San Antonio Legal Expert Right Away
If you have been injured in an accident, you should always contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Even if you’ve waited, however, it’s not too late. If medical bills are piling up and the insurance company is stonewalling you, call Gamez Law Firm at 1-866-Gamez-Law or visit us online to chat or set up your free consultation.