Dealing with Medical Expenses Following a Car Accident

While you may be concerned about the damage to your vehicle, it’s more important that you focus on your health first. Unfortunately, many medical professionals now require that patients pay for their treatment when they receive it. If you’re waiting for money from an insurance company, though, you may not be able to pay these bills right away.

If you’ve been injured in a car crash and it’s the other driver’s fault, here are a few ways to manage your finances and bills while you wait for the insurance claim to be processed. If you are unsure about how to file an insurance claim for your post-accident bills, see our related blog here that talks about personal injury vs insurance claims.

What Medical Expenses Will You Have?

There are a number of different medical expenses you might be responsible for following an accident. You may not even realize how many different people want money from you until the bills start coming in. You might receive bills from any or all of the following:

• EMTs – The Emergency Medical Technicians who treated you at the scene of the accident may send you a bill for those services.
• The Hospital – If you had to be taken to the hospital for additional treatment, you’ll be billed for it. These bills can quickly get out of control, especially if you required surgery or had to stay overnight. You may also have to pay for the ambulance ride to the hospital.
• Your Doctor – You’ll need to see your doctor following any hospital stay. If you weren’t treated on the scene, you’ll also want to see your doctor as soon as possible for a checkup. In most cases, you’ll only have to pay your standard co-pay.
• Other Bills – Other medical professionals may treat you after the accident or later during recovery. You may need to work with a physical therapist, return to a surgeon for a follow-up procedure, or visit the chiropractor. You may even need to see a therapist to cope with the stress or mental anguish.

In addition to these costs, you also have to pay for any prescription medications you need. If you have to be on crutches or need a sling, you’ll have to pay for that, too.

What Can You Do About these Bills?

With all these bills piling up, but your insurance settlement still being processed, what can you do? It could be weeks or even months before you get your payout. In the meantime, these medical providers are calling and sending you increasingly urgent letters about your payments.

Many people simply decide to ignore the bills and calls, but that’s not the right move. If you do, your healthcare providers are likely to send your bills to a collection agency. This can damage your credit score and may even result in a lawsuit.

Instead, talk to these various medical professionals. You may be able to work out a deal. There are a number of options that may be available to you:

• Ask if the hospital or doctor’s office can put a temporary hold on the account. These providers understand that insurance claims often take time to process. They may be able to put the account on hold, preventing more charges from being added to it. This may also protect you from being sent to collections.
• Ask about repayment plans. If your account can’t be put on hold, you may be able to set up a repayment plan that you can afford. This allows you to pay an affordable amount every month until the balance is paid off. This will help you better manage your bills without worrying about your credit taking a hit. When you receive your settlement, you can pay off any remaining balance.

Seek Legal Assistance

If you have been hurt in an auto accident contact an attorney that has expertise in auto accidents. It is best to contact them right after you leave the doctor and before you speak with the insurance companies. Amanda Daniels has over 10 years of experience in dealing with auto accidents and insurance companies. Amanda will help you get the maximum settlement and get your medical and damage bills paid quickly.

Call (662) 678-8009 to schedule a free consultation with an auto accident attorney in Tupelo.