How to Get Medical Bills Paid After an Accident?

Accidents happen on the daily here in Melbourne, Florida. Sometimes, people are able to walk away unscathed, fortunately. However, at times, people get injured, and it’s inevitable. If you or a loved one go to the hospital following an accident, the bills can be shocking. Who, though, is responsible? How does one go about paying these exorbitant sums? Particularly if the accident is not your fault, these questions can make life very confusing. However, there are people who can help, such as a personal injury attorney. Getting a lawyer can make the difference between having to pay all those bills on your own or getting the settlement you deserve.

Everything Takes Time

The first thing to realize is that everything takes time. While you may be pursuing a settlement with a personal injury attorney, you will still have bills coming in. It may take a while to get the settlement. Who pays the bills in the meantime, then? Depending on your insurance, they may cover them at first. Then part of the settlement, when it comes to that, goes to them. In some places, the one at fault is responsible for paying charges as they are incurred. In other places, though, they are responsible for paying the damages, but not as they are incurred or on an ongoing basis. Also, be aware that it all depends on the type of accident. The results of a slip and fall accident will be different from the results of a motor vehicle, boating, or work accident. Your attorney will be able to help you find the best course of action to get your money quickly and get you the full settlement you are entitled to.

Reimbursement

Whatever kind of insurance you have, chances are good that they will be the first to pay your bills. If you do not have health insurance, things can get messy. Your lawyer can help you sort that out. Once the bills are paid, though, you may experience some insurance changes, even if the accident was not your fault. In order to resolve those, you will need the court documents and funds to prove that it was not your fault. Once a settlement is reached in your favor with the help of a lawyer, the defendant (or his insurance company) will be responsible for reimbursing your insurance company.

Off the Hook

There will be some occasions, though, where you are fully responsible for paying your medical bills. For example, if the accident was your fault, there is no insurance available for either party, or if there isn’t any evidence pointing toward the other person, you may not have a personal injury case. This means that your bills are all on you to take care of. While it is stressful, many have payment plan options to make things a bit more manageable.

Be sure to discuss with your insurance agent what you are covered for now so in the event of an injury, you know what to expect. Discuss any potential issues that may come up and create a plan to deal with it ahead of time, just in case.