Personal Injury Attorney

When you’ve been in an auto accident that wasn’t your fault, the other driver’s insurance company may not settle right away. In some ways, this can be a good thing. If you were seriously injured, you may not know the full extent of your damages. Once you accept a settlement, you can’t go back and ask for more. On the other hand, waiting for a settlement makes it hard to pay your medical bills. Here are some things to keep in mind about paying the healthcare providers.

How Can You Pay Your Bills From an Accident Before You Receive a Settlement? 

When you receive medical services, you will be held responsible for the charges, regardless of the circumstances. Some people use their private health insurance to make payments to the providers. If you do this, know that your insurance company may want their money back if and when you do settle. But this can work out in your favor, because the health insurer usually has a discounted rate.

Another option is to check your own insurance and see if you have medical payments as part of your coverage. If the other driver was uninsured or underinsured, you may also be able to use your own auto insurance coverage if you had uninsured coverage.

If You Don’t Have Insurance

The worst case scenario is that you can’t pay your bills. You may be able to work out a payment plan with your healthcare providers to make small payments until you do get a settlement. This can keep your bills out of collections and potentially from dinging your credit.

A hospital may file a lien against any settlement you receive. Don’t be scared. This is a normal procedure. All it means is that you have to pay the hospital before you can receive any money from the settlement. It’s a measure of protection for them. If you can prevent this, it’s better for you.

Make Sure You Know What Needs to Be Paid Out Your Settlement 

If you receive a settlement, you need to pay your bills from it. The insurance company won’t directly pay any healthcare providers. It’s up to you. A personal injury attorney, like from David & Philpot P.L., can help you navigate this part of the process. To protect your rights and find the best solution for your accident, talk to a personal injury lawyer. A lawyer may be able to negotiate a better settlement for you to recover fully.