In 2021, 5.4 million people sought medical help for car crash related injuries. If this happened to you, the last thing you want to worry about is how to handle costly medical bills on top of physical and emotional recovery following a car accident. The average cost of an ER visit after a car crash is $3,300, and if you need to be hospitalized, the bill can easily run to $57,000+.
According to the Tampa car accident lawyers at Winters & Yonker, P.A., taking the right steps can help minimize the financial impact of accident-related injuries and treatment. Having a plan in place to coordinate your auto, health, and liability insurance coverage along with working with a car accident attorney will enable you to effectively manage your medical expenses.
Taking control of your post-accident medical bills ensures you receive the care you need without accruing burdensome debt.
Determine Your Insurance Coverage
The first step after a car accident is to review your auto insurance policy to determine what medical payments coverage you have. This will outline the limits on medical expenses your insurer will pay. Many policies have at least $5,000 in coverage, but higher limits are advisable. Your health insurance may also cover accident-related medical bills, subject to deductibles and copays. Understand how your auto and health insurance coordinate on accident claims.
Track All Medical Expenses
Keep careful records of all medical treatment you receive after the accident. This includes doctor visits, hospital bills, prescriptions, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and any other services. Make sure you get copies of all bills and receipts. Also, track your mileage for trips to medical appointments and keep receipts for medical equipment rentals or purchases. Thorough documentation will help ensure all your eligible expenses are covered. Even minor expenses, such as physiotherapy sessions costing $80-$120 per hour can be claimed back.
Submit Bills to Your Insurer
Provide copies of all your accident-related medical bills and records to your auto insurance company promptly. This starts the claims process. The insurer will determine which expenses are covered and pay the approved amount up to your medical payments policy limit. Be sure to follow up and check the status of any pending bills. For treatment not yet received, some insurers may pay you or the provider directly once you submit the final bill.
Use Health Insurance
Submit any outstanding medical bills to your health insurer. The health plan will pay per its coverage terms, minus any deductible or coinsurance you owe. Be aware that your health insurer may initially reject accident-related claims until your auto settlement is finalized. Keep submitting the bills and provide accident details to get the claims processed. Your health insurance will likely seek reimbursement from your auto settlement later.
Work with a Personal Injury Lawyer
Consider consulting a personal injury attorney if your medical bills are extensive or the at-fault insurer is denying liability. An experienced attorney will manage your injury claim and help maximize your auto settlement to cover unpaid accident expenses. They can negotiate higher compensation with the liability insurer and directly handle communications and negotiations with providers on reducing your balances. A personal injury attorney’s expertise facilitates getting your bills paid and avoiding out-of-pocket costs after an accident. Their fees typically come out of your final settlement amount rather than upfront.
Working with a personal injury lawyer is the best way to recoup your costs after an injury-causing car crash, so consult an attorney as soon as possible.
