Following an accident there are typically immediate medical expenses and other costs associated with an injury. Accident claims can take weeks and even months to process so it is important to take steps to get medical payments during the process rather than waiting until the process is complete.
Contact the Insurance Company
Whether an accident happens at work, at a mall, or in a car, an injured accident victim should contact his own insurance company or the insurance company of the responsible party as soon after the accident as possible. The insurance company will need names, addresses and phone numbers for all medical providers. The insurance company will also need the details of the accident and the contact information or policy number of the responsible party. The insurance company can then deal directly with medical providers in either making medical payments as they become due, or in negotiating a delay in payment while the claims process continues. It is easier to get an insurance company to pay a medical provider than to pay the claimant because there is some assurance for the insurance company that the expenses are legitimate.
No-Fault States
Any car accident victim living in a “no-fault” state and carrying no-fault insurance (required by law in no-fault states) is entitled to immediate compensation for medical expenses up to a maximum amount which varies by state. An accident victim should contact his own insurance company immediately after the accident and the insurance company will either pay the medical providers directly, or will reimburse the accident victim for medical expenses already paid by the victim.
The real benefit to no-fault laws is that they guarantee immediate payment of medical expenses REGARDLESS of who may have caused the accident. Even a person who is at fault for causing the accident resulting in his own injuries is entitled to immediate payment of medical expenses without going to court or going through a difficult settlement process. If an injured party’s expenses go beyond the maximum amount for no-fault claims, he will have to file a lawsuit or initiate arbitration to get more money from the insurance company but immediate medical expenses would be paid as they are incurred.
Get Legal Help
An experienced personal injury attorney can deal directly with the insurance company immediately following an accident so the injured party can focus on getting medical treatment and getting back to normal. An attorney can negotiate with the insurance company in order to speed up payments for initial medical care and can advise an injured person as to what medical treatment might not be covered by the insurance company before a person incurs more costs than he can cover.
