After you’ve been involved in an accident, medical expenses may be one of the most significant financial losses you experience. After receiving medical care, it is important to explore your legal options to get your medical bills paid.
Our Chicago, Illinois personal injury lawyers at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. can help recover your medical costs and other compensation. Contact us for a free consultation to learn more about your case’s worth.
When you’ve suffered injuries and need medical treatment, the costs are collectively referred to as your medical expenses. The cost of healthcare in the United States is astronomical, and the medical expenses following a devastating accident in Illinois can easily cost thousands of dollars.
Although insurance might cover a portion, any expenses the insurance company does not cover will ultimately be your responsibility. For this reason, you must prove fault to ensure the liable party is ordered to compensate you for these expenses.
Medical expenses and fees take many forms. The liable party should be expected to cover every medical expense related to your accident-related injuries. Some of the common medical bills and expenses you can seek compensation for include:
After you have been injured, you are responsible for the cost of your healthcare. However, that does not mean you cannot get the liable party to compensate you. Although you are ultimately accountable, by filing insurance and civil claims against the liable party, you can seek compensation to cover these costs.
You might be entitled to worker’s compensation benefits if you were injured in a work-related accident. Your employer’s worker’s compensation insurance provider will be expected to cover all your medical expenses related to your on-the-job injury.
Generally, by informing your healthcare provider of your pending insurance and civil claims, you can avoid being found in default. Your Chicago car accident attorney may even be able to get your medical bills stayed while you pursue compensation.
Illinois is a fault state for accident and insurance purposes. This means you will file a claim with a liable party’s insurance provider instead of your own. Most individuals will have followed the law and purchased insurance coverage covering certain economic damages such as property and medical expenses.
However, since you are filing a claim with the liable party’s insurance, the amount you can recover will be limited by the amount of coverage purchased by the liable party. If the liable party only bought $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage, and your medical expenses amounted to more than $100,000, the insurance company would only compensate you up to $50,000.
Any remaining losses will need to be sought after through an Illinois personal injury claim.
Insurance companies are entitled to reimbursement for covering your healthcare bills. If you receive compensation for your damages in court, the insurance company may be entitled to reimbursement for the medical expenses they covered. Your attorney can help ensure insurance reimbursements are handled fairly and accurately, so you get the most out of your claim.
The process for filing a claim with the insurance company can vary widely depending on the type of accident and other facts involved. Generally, once you have an attorney, your lawyer will review the details and file your claim with the insurance company on your behalf.
The insurance company will then need a statement to determine liability. Your lawyer can provide them with the information they need to move forward. Be careful not to speak to the insurance company without your attorney, as they often take advantage of injury victims.
Once the insurance adjuster has what they need to process your claim, they will review your application and the supporting evidence. Insurance companies are known to pour over applications, looking for opportunities to deny claims and reduce benefits wherever possible. In this way, they can reduce their profit loss.
Your lawyer will handle the negotiations with the insurance company if or when they attempt to settle your claim for less than you deserve. Your attorney will fight for the compensation you are entitled to and be prepared to bring a lawsuit against them if they continue to deny you the compensation that is rightfully yours.
You may be wondering how the insurance company will determine what your settlement is worth. Your attorney will thoroughly review your damages, accounting for all economic and non-economic damages accordingly. Because the insurance company is held to the standards of the insurance policy, there are limits on the compensation you can be awarded.
The insurance company will review the damages covered by the insurance policy, property, physical, and other covered losses to determine their worth.
Do not be surprised if the insurance company undervalues your claim. Paying out more on your case means they will lose money. Your attorney will ensure that your damages are evaluated accurately so you can be awarded fairly in your claim.
If you hope to get the most out of your claim, avoiding some of the biggest mistakes injury victims make is important. These include failure to keep accurate records and failure to plan.
One of the top ways of diminishing your credibility will be to argue that you are embellishing the severity of your injuries. To ensure you can prove the impact of your injuries on your life, you must keep accurate medical records.
Be sure to obtain copies of all your medical records, take photos of your injuries, and even document your daily living through journaling so seemingly minor details do not go unnoticed.
Another mistake injury victims make is failing to consider the impact their injuries will have in the future. You might have considerable medical expenses now, but if your injuries are chronic or will have life-altering consequences, you could require medical treatment and care for the foreseeable future.
You must avoid settling with the insurance company or accepting a lump sum settlement, as these often fail to consider future medical expenses. Your attorney will ensure you are compensated for your medical expenses in their entirety, which includes the cost of any future healthcare expenses related to your injury.
When you’ve been seriously injured and your medical expenses are mounting, you have the right to be compensated for every loss. Get help recovering everything that’s rightfully yours. Contact a dedicated no win no fee personal injury lawyer at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C.
We offer no-cost, risk-free consultations to injury victims across Illinois. Call (312) 236-2900 or fill out our online form.
When you’re fighting for maximum compensation, we know what it takes to get it.
