An ice pack, a kind word, and a chair in the waiting room can cost several thousand dollars. Injury-related medical treatment expenses are usually much higher than that. A car accident lawyer can help take care of your bills and also help ensure that you get the treatment you need.
In this typical story, a New Jersey woman fell, hit her head, and cut her ear. She went to a local ER but left before seeing a doctor or even being admitted. She still received a bill for $5,751. “It’s for the ice pack and the bandage. That is the only tangible thing they could bill me for,” opined the patient, Jessica Pell. Overall, ER prices increased almost 90 percent between 2009 and 2015. In general, doctors defend these triage costs as they are valuable services. But many do agree that a bill which is over 4,000 percent higher than the insurance payment is “excessive and unrealistic.”
Hoboken University Medical Center declined to comment on Ms. Pell’s account but did agree to rescind the charge.
Injury-Related Medical Expenses in California
If the patient sustains a serious injury, the hospital bill alone often exceeds $100,000. That expense usually just represents emergency treatment. Corrective surgery and follow-up medical visits may be almost as expensive. Furthermore, accident victims often face weeks or months of painful and expensive physical rehabilitation.
Throughout this process, victims are usually unable to work. So, at the exact moment that medical bills are piling up, there is no money to pay them.
In situations like these, many accident victims are tempted to take an insurance company settlement offer. The adjuster often calls almost every day to discuss terms. The emotional and financial stress are often overwhelming, and an insurance company settlement seems like a way out.
How Car Crash Lawyers Deal with Medical Bills
However, the insurance company does not have your best interests in mind. The insurance company does what’s best to protect its own profits. So, what seems to be a fair settlement offer is almost always a low-ball offer.
An attorney can accurately evaluate your claim and determine what it is worth. Your lawyer can calculate both economic and noneconomic damages while accounting for variables like the strength of the evidence, any insurance company defenses, and the likely composition of the jury.
But a lawyer can do more than calculate the tab. An attorney can also arrange to have your medical bills paid at no upfront cost to you.
A lawyer writes a letter of protection to medical providers. This letter informs the provider of the pending claim and guarantees payment when the case is resolved. So, the doctor agrees to wait for payment.
As a bonus, an attorney can refer you to a doctor who focuses on injury-related claims. Many car crash injuries, like whiplash, are difficult to diagnose and treat. An attorney can ensure that you get the best available medical care for your type of injury. That’s a much better alternative than the level of care you can afford at the time.
Reach Out to Experienced Car Accident Lawyers
Car crash victims should not have to worry about medical bills. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney, contact RMD Law. We can assist you in recovering the compensation that you deserve.
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