You Just Agreed to a Personal Injury Settlement, Now What?
If you are injured because of someone else’s negligent conduct, then you may be able to get money from them to pay for your medical bills. This money can come in the form of a settlement agreement or the result of a trial. Settlement agreements are often quicker than trials, but it can take a long time to get this money, regardless of how your case is resolved. During that time, you will likely still need to go to your medical provider for medical treatment and care.
If you have health insurance, you might think that all of your medical bills will be paid. But sometimes your doctor or insurance company will put a lien on the money that you get from your case.
This lien allows them to get paid first. Luckily, most medical lien holders are willing to negotiate a lower payoff amount so that you can keep more of the money yourself. If you have been injured in an accident, then it is important to speak to an experienced personal injury attorney to understand your options.
How Medical Bills are Paid After a Settlement
Everyone that is owed money from the case will be paid from your settlement money. You will need to pay the unpaid medical balances from the settlement amount. Often, doctors will work with you to reduce their bills if it is necessary for you to have some money left.
After you have paid for any medical bills, legal fees, and other bills that are owed from the death, you keep the remainder of the money for a pain and suffering award and for any lost wages due to missed work. If the insurance policy is small and the medical bills are high, the only way for you to come out with any money is to get your medical bills lowered. This can be a difficult process that takes time and effort.
If you receive a personal injury settlement, the medical bills are your responsibility to pay. The insurance company for the other person will pay a global amount which includes money for past and future medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Then you have to pay back the medical bills, case expenses, and attorney’s fees from that money.
Can You Negotiate Your Medical Costs?
You can negotiate the cost of medical bills. Negotiating your medical bills does not impact your settlement amount if you are able to get your costs reduced in your personal injury claim. Medical treatment costs can be reduced after a negotiation when the injury victim enters recovery and once a resolution is made in their case. This is typically done by personal injury lawyers to help reduce the accident victim’s medical debt. This process ensures the victim is compensated appropriately for their injuries from the settlement before any negotiations occur.
If you have been in a car accident, then it is important to talk to a personal injury lawyer who can help you figure out how much money you should get from the accident. The lawyer can also help make sure that the hospital or insurance company does not overcharge you for anything.
Your lawyer can carefully review all of your costs and expenses to ensure you are not being unfairly charged and can also negotiate with the lien holder directly to help reduce your medical debt. This will help to keep debt collectors off your back while still paying your healthcare providers what they are owed.
What If My Medical Costs Are Too Much for Me to Handle?
If you fall into debt because of the costs of your medical care, then you can face debt collectors and a hit on your credit report and credit score. If you have medical debt, then you may be able to get on a payment plan through a payment agreement.
It is best to avoid these situations before they happen, so it is important to be in communication with your auto insurance company and health insurance company to understand what coverages you may have for your personal injury protection.
If you have hospital liens or debt payments that you need to make due to your auto accident, then it is important to speak to an attorney right away.
How An Experienced Attorney Can Help
Having an experienced personal injury lawyer can be critical to being successful in reducing and eliminating your medical debt. An attorney can speak with the medical provider or lien holder on your behalf, gather evidence to support your claim, try to negotiate a good agreement, and represent you in court where necessary. An experienced attorney can give insight into what a fair settlement is, and can help you get the financial relief that you need.
Don’t go it alone when you don’t have to. Make sure that you have a seasoned attorney by your side as you recover physically, emotionally, and financially from your accident. If you have legal questions, then call us today at the Law Office of Sofia Miguel so we can help!
Sofia’s No Fee Guarantee
Attorney Sofia K. Miguel guarantees that you will never write a check to our law firm under Sofia’s “no fee guarantee.” Consultations are free and if your case is selected, then Sofia will also cover all your court costs incurred during your personal injury case.
Sofia only gets paid when you do. Her services will cost you nothing out of pocket; simple as that. Let Sofia’s nearly twenty years of experience in helping people recover from their injuries get to work for you now.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to an accident near Seattle, Puyallup, or Tacoma, WA, then contact us for an initial consultation with Sofia Miguel as she is ready to help you fight to get the money you deserve. Call us at 253-200-4471, come visit our office right here in Puyallup at 702 S. Hill Park Dr. #207, or contact us online anytime. We are here for you.
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