If you get into a car accident in Houston, there’s a good chance you’ll suffer some injuries. Even if your injuries are minor, you’re going to need to go to the hospital. They may tell you that you need surgery. You may even need long-term physical therapy after your surgery. If this is the case, you’ll want to know who’s going to cover your medical bills. You certainly can’t afford to pay for these things out of pocket. And, it could be months or a year before the defendant’s insurance company agrees to pay your medical bills. If you have private health insurance, they will more than likely cover your medical expenses. Or, if you don’t have insurance, the State will have no choice but to cover your medical care. Just keep in mind – you will eventually have to pay these bills back. Any third-party provider is going to expect to be reimbursed when you do settle your car crash claim in Texas.
If you’re worried about how your medical costs will be covered after a car accident, call and talk to an experienced car crash lawyer in Houston.
Do You Really Have to Pay the Health Care Providers Back When You Settle Your Car Crash Claim?
If you were injured while walking down the street, you would go to the hospital. Your health insurance would cover your medical expenses. The same is true if you got sick. If you were diagnosed with cancer, your insurance company would cover your medical bills. This would include things like:
- Ambulance ride
- Doctor’s appointments and copays
- Prescription medications
- Medical equipment’
- Transportation costs to and from appointments
When you get into a car accident, it’s a bit different. If your health insurance company knows that your injuries were caused by a car crash, they aren’t going to want to cover your treatment. They know that the other driver’s insurance company may cover these expenses. They’re not going to sit back and let you receive compensation for expenses that your insurance company already paid.
Your Insurance Company Will File a Lien Against Your Lawsuit
If your insurance company does cover your medical care, they’ll expect to be reimbursed. When you settle your car crash claim, the first person you’ll pay is your attorney. The second person you’ll have to pay is your insurance providers. If they covered some or all of your medical care, they’ll expect to be paid back.
Your Houston car accident lawyer will make sure this is taken care of. They’ll negotiate a partial payment with your insurance company if that’s possible. Worst case, they’ll pay the bill in full. It will really depend on how much your settlement was for.
To ensure that they are paid, your healthcare provider will file a lien against your lawsuit. This way, they’re guaranteed to get paid when you settle your case. And, if you choose not to sue, this lien allows the provider to sue on their own.
You Will Probably Be Entitled to Damages After Your Houston Car Crash
It can be scary to think that you’ll have to pay all of your out of pocket expenses yourself. This is why it can be reassuring to know your primary health insurance company will cover your medical care while you wait to settle your car crash claim. But there are other types of damages as well. These include:
- Lost Wages: If you miss weeks or months from work, you can demand compensation. Your attorney will submit payroll records to show how much time you missed and what you lose financially. You do need to miss at least a couple of weeks to be eligible for these kinds of damages.
- Property Damage: If your car is destroyed or damaged in your accident, you can demand that the defendant cover your repairs.
- Pain and Suffering: You may experience a lot of physical and mental anguish. If so, the defendant may be held liable.
The problem is – what do you do if you lose your case? If the insurance company refuses to pay, you’ll have to file suit. There is no guarantee that you’ll win. Or, it could take months or years to resolve your case. In the meantime, these damages are going to continue to accrue. Most people don’t have the kind of money it takes to cover these kinds of bills.
This is why you need to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in Houston, Texas right away.