The cost of medical bills from a car accident can be sky-high. Unfortunately, the money from an insurance settlement may not always cover everything. What do you do in this situation? The experienced Dallas law firm of Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C. can help. Let’s explore other ways to pay for your medical care after accepting a car accident settlement in Texas.
1- Negotiate Medical Bills
Many doctors and healthcare providers will work with you if you can’t pay all your bills at once. Here are some potential options for working with providers to lower your medical bills:
- Payment plans – Most healthcare providers understand the high cost of medical bills and offer payment plans to ease the financial burden. Setting up a monthly payment plan allows you to distribute the cost over time, making it more manageable without compromising your other financial obligations.
- Charity care programs – Some hospitals and clinics offer programs to help patients with limited financial resources. These programs can significantly reduce or even eliminate your medical bills if you qualify.
- Bill reduction – Negotiating directly with healthcare providers can sometimes reduce medical bills. Providers may be willing to lower the cost if you demonstrate financial hardship or offer to pay a lump sum. Similarly, closely reviewing your bills can sometimes reveal double charges or other errors you can point out to lower your bill.
2- Seek Additional Compensation
Another way to cover excess medical bills after a motor vehicle accident is to seek additional compensation from other sources, such as:
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage – If the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) can be a lifesaver. This part of your policy covers the gap between what you suffered and what the other driver’s policy will pay, so you don’t have to foot the bill for someone else’s mistake.
- Personal injury lawsuit – When insurance isn’t enough, a personal injury lawsuit may provide the necessary funds to cover your medical bills. By filing suit against the party responsible for the car wreck, you may receive damages at trial that reflect the true extent of your losses.
- Explore liability of other parties – Sometimes, the responsibility for an accident extends beyond the obvious to include additional parties, some of whom might not have even been present at the collision. Investigating whether outside parties, such as employers, vehicle manufacturers, or government entities, bear any responsibility for the wreck may uncover additional sources of compensation for your medical expenses.
The Dallas car accident lawyers from Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C. can determine whether these options apply to your case. If so, they can prepare and file a compelling car accident claim and seek additional compensation for your outstanding bills.
3- Financial Assistance
If negotiating with your medical providers and seeking additional compensation doesn’t work, you can pursue direct financial assistance from various sources. Potential options for a car accident victim might include:
- Government programs – Various government programs exist to help those struggling with medical expenses. For instance, Medicaid offers coverage to eligible low-income individuals and families, while Medicare benefits those over 65 and certain younger people with disabilities. Additional state-specific programs may provide further support. It’s crucial to research and apply for these programs, which can provide substantial relief from medical bills.
- Nonprofit organizations – Many nonprofit organizations focus on helping individuals with overwhelming medical debt. These organizations may offer grants, negotiate bills on your behalf, or provide guidance on managing medical expenses. They often cater to specific diseases, conditions, or demographic groups. Finding one that aligns with your situation could lead to valuable assistance in reducing your medical bills.
- Legal aid – Legal aid societies and nonprofit legal organizations often provide free or low-cost legal services to people in financial need. These organizations can offer valuable assistance if you’re considering a personal injury lawsuit or need help negotiating with creditors. They can help you understand your rights, represent you in negotiations, or even pursue a lawsuit in court demanding the financial resources you need to pay your bills.
4- Additional Strategies
Finally, there are a handful of other strategies you can try to reduce your medical bills or find other ways to resolve the situation. You might:
- File an appeal – If the insurance company denies coverage for certain treatments or procedures, filing an appeal is critical to challenging their decision. This process involves a formal request for the insurer to reconsider its decision. Carefully review your policy and gather all necessary documentation to support your case, such as medical records and letters from your healthcare provider. While the appeals process can be daunting, it could lead to your insurer covering more of your medical costs, significantly reducing your financial burden.
- Work with a debt counselor – A certified debt counselor can provide professional guidance on managing and reducing your medical debt. They can help you understand your financial situation, develop a personalized plan to tackle your debts and negotiate with creditors on your behalf. Working with a debt counselor allows you to explore various strategies to manage your medical bills more effectively.
- Declare bankruptcy – Declaring bankruptcy is a serious decision and should be considered only as a last resort. However, if your medical bills are insurmountable and all other options have been exhausted, bankruptcy might provide a way out. Chapter 7 bankruptcy can discharge most unsecured debts, including medical bills, but it can also lead to the loss of certain assets and significantly impact your credit score. It’s essential to seek legal counsel to understand the implications of bankruptcy and determine if this is the right path for your situation.
Get Legal Help From an Experienced Dallas Car Accident Lawyer Near You
If you’re dealing with costly medical bills after the trauma from a car crash someone else caused, you could be owed money – but the last thing you need is the pressure of handling a personal injury claim yourself. That’s where Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C. can help. Our Dallas car accident attorneys can handle these details for you, evaluating your options and handling all the legal procedures so you can focus on healing and other matters. Call us today at (214) 999-9999 or complete our online contact form for a free consultation.
