Mt. Juliet and Lebanon TN
If you have been injured in an auto accident, receiving medical treatment for your injuries is just the first step in the recovery process. Once you have returned home and tried to settle into some semblance of a routine, you have to answer the question… how do you pay the bills? Not only do you still have to worry about your regular expenses, which may be hard to meet if your injuries have impeded your ability to work. You also have to worry about medical bills—which could include ambulance service and emergency room charges, as well as potential costs stemming from diagnostic tests, physical therapy, or even in-home medical care. The influx of bills combined with the stress of an accident can be overwhelming. Here are some steps that are suggested by your local Nashville personal injury attorney at the Law Office of Yancy Belcher to help you stay on top of your bills.
Many insurance policies have personal injury protection. Also known as PIP, this coverage is in place to cover the costs connected with any type of injury sustained in an auto accident. It can be used to cover medical bills, lost wages from time missed at work due to the injuries sustained, and even death benefits if injuries in an auto accident prove fatal. However, like any insurance plan, the coverage is imperfect. For one thing, many PIP plans only pay out $2,500 for medical bills from an injury if the injury is not designated as an emergency medical condition. PIP coverage also does not cover the entire cost of medical bills—only 80 percent of what is considered to be reasonable medical expenses.
If you take legal action in the wake of being injured in an automobile accident, you remain responsible for paying any and all bills that come in while you await a settlement. If the other driver clearly was at fault in your accident, then that driver’s insurance company is liable for medical costs and will pay them as part of the settlement.
Given the financial stress that many people encounter in the wake of an auto accident involving injury, an insurance company may offer you a settlement early in the process, often prior to full recovery from injuries. You should turn down this offer. Taking a settlement too early in the process releases both the other driver and their insurance company from any future financial or legal responsibility. This means that you will pay for any ongoing or future care needs stemming from your injuries. Wait until you get all needed medical treatment before considering any settlement offer. And, it is always best to seek the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney in Nashville before accepting any settlement.
We understand that an accident involving injury is a traumatic time. We hope you never find yourself in this situation, but if you do, hire an attorney with experience in both auto accident and personal injury law. Your attorney becomes an advocate who will fight for your interests. An attorney with this particular experience also knows the strategies and tactics insurance companies employ to try and pay out lower settlements.
Personal Injury Attorney in Middle Tennessee
If you or someone you love has been hurt in an auto accident, contact your local Nashville attorney Yancy Belcher today. Call our office at (615) 773-2889 for a free consultation.
The law office of Yancy Belcher is proud to fight for our clients in Middle Tennessee.
