If you suffered injuries in an accident and began a personal injury claim or a lawsuit, you may be wondering, “Can a lawyer help lower your medical bills?”
Hiring a personal injury lawyer opens the door to more options regarding paying your medical bills, including treating on a medical lien. These attorneys negotiate with insurers and liable parties to seek maximum compensation for medical expenses. A lawyer also consults your doctors to determine what your future medical expenses will be and then fights to secure awards for them.
A Charlotte personal injury lawyer from DeMayo Law Offices can accurately assess your accident-related losses and field settlement offers to ensure you do not accept one that would leave you paying out of pocket for someone else’s negligence. Our legal team can compile your medical bills, records, and receipts to substantiate your claim.
How Medical Bills Factor Into Your Final Settlement
Medical bills represent a significant portion of your potential compensation after an accident. They reflect the severity of your injuries, and the cost of any ongoing medical treatments needed for a disability or permanent impairment will also factor into your claim.
Current medical expenses applicable for compensation can include:
- Ambulatory care, emergency room care, in-patient care, and hospital stays
- Diagnostic tests, such as MRIs, CT scans, and X-rays
- Immediate and additional surgeries
- Medication
- Specialists
- Doctor follow-up appointments
Examples of future medical expenses a lawyer can seek recovery for can include:
- Ongoing medical interventions and rehabilitation, such as physical therapy
- Disability
- In-home assistance
- Home modifications
- Medical devices
You should not have to foot the bill for someone else’s negligence. If you suffered permanent impairment due to your accident injuries, you deserve fair compensation for the ways in which your daily life will change. For example, you may need assistance with day-to-day activities if you now live with a disability.
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How a Personal Injury Lawyer Negotiates for a Settlement
Most personal injury cases begin with filing an insurance claim, but sometimes, legal action is necessary. Either way, a lawyer can communicate with the liable parties and their insurers and handle all negotiations.
Insurance companies are motivated to minimize payouts as much as possible, including amounts covering your injury-related medical costs. A personal injury lawyer works to level this uneven playing field during settlement negotiations in several ways:
Precisely Calculating Your Damages
Our lawyers comprehensively calculate all medical expenses from the incident—not only current bills but projected future costs based on your long-term prognosis, expert analysis, and needed care plans. This prevents insurers from undervaluing your damages.
Positioning for Maximum Settlement Value and Field Settlement Offers
Lawyers compile persuasive settlement demand packages substantiating the full extent of your damages, tangible and intangible. They also assess settlement offers to prevent you from accepting one that would not fairly cover your expenses.
Remember, once you sign a settlement agreement, you cannot seek additional damages later on. A lawyer can leverage negotiation tactics to maximize payouts well beyond initial lowball offers.
Pursuing Litigation and Meet Your Legal Deadline
If negotiations stall with insurers unwilling to offer appropriate compensation, your lawyer can escalate by filing a personal injury lawsuit to take the matter through litigation and potential trial. They can present your case before a judge or jury to seek a fair verdict.
Remember, not all lawsuits go to trial. An insurer may settle beforehand. A lawyer can keep an eye on the statutory clock while negotiating to protect your right to take legal action. North Carolina General Statutes section 1-52 generally gives you three years to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Do Not Forgo or Delay Treatment in an Attempt to Lower Your Medical Bills
If you are struggling to pay your medical bills while your case progresses, it may be tempting to forgo or delay necessary treatment. Do not do this, as it could hurt both your health and your case for compensation.
Injuries left untreated can worsen, leading to chronic conditions and medical complications. Plus, insurers may argue that your injuries are not as serious as they are or that you contributed to them by neglecting to get medical care.
Then, they may work to undervalue or outright deny your claim. A lawyer can explore your options for paying medical bills while your case is pending. For example, you may file a claim through your personal health insurance carrier or access your MedPay or PIP benefits if you have such coverage. You may also be able to negotiate a payment plan with a medical provider or even agree to a medical lien.
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Working With a Lawyer on Contingency Can Help When You Are Facing Medical Bills
Another way our lawyers help is by taking personal injury cases on contingency. This means you do not have to pay upfront fees or hourly rates to secure legal services. Instead, you agree to pay a portion of your potential recovery at the end of your case. This can help take a bit of weight off your shoulders as you navigate your physical recovery and your case.
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Call Us for Help Maximizing Your Potential Settlement So You Can Pay Your Medical Bills
With legal representation, you can negotiate with the liable parties and insurance companies to recover higher settlement amounts that ensure outstanding medical bills get paid. You also avoid getting trapped into an inadequate payout that leaves you covering injury costs out-of-pocket.
The team at DeMayo Law Offices is here to help accident victims and their families. We can discuss your case during a free initial consultation and explore your options for covering your medical bills. We may be able to refer you to a trusted medical provider. Contact us now to get started.
Call or text (877) 333-1000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
