The only reason car accident victims hire an Augusta accident attorney is so that they can get compensation for their injuries. There’s nothing wrong with that. Ideally, the insurance carrier would just pay your claim in full. If that’s the case, you’ll receive your insurance check within a week or two. If they reject your claim, then you’re going to need the help of a seasoned car accident lawyer in Augusta. The only way you can get paid is to take legal action against the other driver. When you sue them, you will also have to name their insurance carrier in the car accident lawsuit. This gives you a much better chance of getting paid.
When you do file suit, your Augusta accident attorney will have to list any damages that you believe you’re entitled to. This includes anything from compensation for medical bills to damages for pain and suffering. It all depends on the nature and extent of your injuries. It also depends on the economic losses you suffered as a result of your car accident. If you’re lucky, and if there is sufficient evidence for your car accident lawyer in Augusta to prove your case, there’s a good chance your case will settle. Once this happens, you’ll be required to pay any outstanding medical bills in full. You don’t really have a choice in the matter. Of course, your car accident lawyer in Augusta can try to negotiate lower payoffs with the insurance company. If that isn’t possible, you’ll have to pay the full balance.
Here, we’ll discuss how this works and what can happen if you try to avoid paying these bills. In the meantime, if you have any questions about your car accident case, give our office a call. We can schedule your free, initial consultation right over the phone.
Most of Our Clients Owe Thousands of Dollars in Medical Bills
Even if your injuries were minor, there’s a good chance you owe thousands of dollars in medical bills. Just the ambulance ride can cost over a thousand dollars. Add to that the costs of a hospital stay, surgery, and any other treatment you need, and you can be looking at more than ten thousand dollars in medical bills. Whatever this total is, your Augusta accident attorney will demand that you be compensated for these bills. Once your case settles, you’ll have to pay these bills off. In some cases, your settlement check will be made payable to your car accident lawyer in Augusta. If this is the case, they can pay your medical bills off right out of your settlement proceeds. If, however, the settlement check is made out to you, then you will be responsible for ensuring that all bills are paid in full. If you fail to do that, the medical care providers will come after you for payment.
Your Healthcare Providers Will Expect to Be Paid in Full
If you have private health insurance, there’s a good chance they will cover your initial medical bills. This is especially true if your auto insurance claim was denied. At some point, they will expect to be paid back. It’s not just a matter of you paying co-pays and deductibles. When you first seek treatment after your accident, the hospital will ask you if your injuries are related to a motor vehicle accident. You must answer this question honestly. When you do that, the hospital and your insurance company will make a notation on your file. They will follow up with your Augusta accident attorney for the status of your car accident lawsuit. Once they learn that your case has been settled, they will demand payment in full.
If you don’t make this payment, the insurance company will pursue you directly for payment. Just like you sued the other driver for compensation, the insurance company will sue you for payment in full. Since they are legally entitled to payment, you won’t have a leg to stand on from a legal perspective. Your best bet is to see if they’ll take a reduced amount. If so, take advantage of it and pay the settlement amount in full. If they refuse to reduce the amount owed, you’ll have no choice but to pay it with your settlement proceeds. After all, that is what the money is earmarked for.
Your Car Accident Lawyer in Augusta Can Pay Them with Your Settlement Proceeds
In some cases, your car accident lawyer in Augusta will have the settlement check made out to their firm. When this happens, your attorney is able to pay your medical bills once they have been paid their contingency fee. Your attorney has an ethical and legal obligation to ensure that these medical bills are paid. However, if the check is made out to you, it will be your responsibility to pay them off. If you fail to do this, your attorney can’t force you to pay. However, the insurance company or medical providers will have no problem pursuing you for damages in a civil lawsuit.
It’s Not a Good Idea to Refuse to Pay Your Medical Bills
One thing our Augusta accident attorneys explain to their clients is that you’re expected to pay back any medical bills related to your case. When your lawyer files your initial complaint, it will list whatever damages you’re demanding. For example, they’ll demand that the defendant (or their insurance carrier) pay any medical bills you experienced. When you eventually settle your case, you’re going to have to pay any outstanding bills related to your accident. You’re also going to have to pay your car accident lawyer in Augusta.
If you try to avoid paying your medical bills, you will likely be sued by the medical providers. Alternatively, if your private health insurance covered your treatment, they’ll come after you for the balance due plus collections costs and attorney fees, if warranted. Rather than have this happen, it’s best to let your Augusta accident attorney pay these bills directly from your settlement proceeds.
If you have questions about your ongoing car accident case, or need to file legal action against the other driver, contact our office. We offer all new clients a free, initial consultation. This gives you a chance to find out if your case has any merit. It also helps you understand how the legal process works. Since the consultation is free, and since our firm doesn’t charge you anything upfront, you have nothing to lose.
