If you have been injured in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you can hold the other driver liable for your damages through a personal injury claim. However, the process of filing and pursuing a personal injury claim can take months. In the meantime, you may have bills piling up — possibly including enormously expensive medical bills. Many people in this uncomfortable position may wonder how they will afford their medical bills while they’re waiting to resolve their case.
The answer to this question depends on the exact circumstances of the injured person and their case. But in every case, it’s important for the injured person to document as much as they can.
Your health insurance
If you have health insurance, your insurer should pay for your the majority of your medical bills related to your accident. If you successfully receive compensation for your damages, either through a settlement or a trial verdict, the insurance company will likely demand at least some of your compensation as repayment for the medical bills.
This is one reason it’s so important that you work to maximize your compensation. To be fully compensated for everything you lost as a result of your accident, you need to cover not just your medical bills, but also your lost wages, your pain and suffering and more.
If you don’t have health insurance, you will likely be stuck with the bills yourself until your case is resolved.
Documentation
To prove that the other party should be held liable, you must provide extensive evidence that shows the other party’s fault in the accident.
Beyond that, you must also document your damages. It’s wise to keep all your medical bills and correspondence with your insurance company. These can help establish the total you need in compensation for your medical bills. They can also help you estimate how much your medical bills may cost in the future, after your case has been resolved.
Documentation can be important for your other damages as well. Keep track of how much income you lose while you are unable to return to work. And, when you discuss your injuries with a doctor, it’s a good idea to talk about the pain you have experienced and the ways your injury has negatively affected your family life.