Car accidents can cause injuries ranging from minor cuts and scrapes to broken bones, internal bleeding, and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs). If you were injured in a car accident that was caused by the other driver, a successful personal injury claim will ensure that you are compensated for your losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering, as well as future medical expenses if you require ongoing or long-term care. In order to recover the maximum damages you are entitled to, it is highly recommended that you contact an experienced car accident lawyer who will review the details of your case, determine who is liable for your injuries, and negotiate the best possible settlement outcome.
What Are Examples of Future Medical Costs?
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may or may not require financial compensation for future medical expenses. However, certain injuries are more likely to require ongoing care, including head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The expenses associated with these injuries can be financially devastating if your ongoing medical bills exceed your settlement. A dedicated and experienced car accident lawyer will discuss the nature and severity of your injuries, anticipate the ongoing medical care you may require, and ensure that your settlement covers those expenses. The following are examples of future medical expenses associated with car accident injuries:
- Surgeries. This includes medical bills for the surgical procedure, as well as post-surgery follow-up care.
- Diagnostic testing. Blood tests, MRIs, CT scans, and other diagnostic tests necessary to monitor progress or detect complications should be covered.
- Medication. This includes prescription medication or long-term pharmaceutical treatments to help manage pain or other ongoing symptoms.
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy. Certain injuries may require ongoing physical, occupational, or speech therapy, as well as other types of rehabilitation.
- Home modifications. If an injury results in a disability that requires modifications to the home, including wheelchair ramps, stairlifts, and accessible bathrooms, future medical costs should cover these expenses.
- Medical equipment. This includes wheelchairs, walkers, home oxygen equipment, and other medical devices that are necessary to help with mobility and other healthcare needs.
- Pain management. If an injury results in chronic pain, the cost of medication and other pain management programs should be covered in a settlement.
- Mental health treatment. Car accidents can be traumatic events that can cause ongoing stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Expenses for future medical treatment include psychological and psychiatric care, including therapy sessions, counselling, and medications.
- Long-term care. This includes the costs for long-term care facilities or in-home nursing care.
What Medical Expenses Are Recoverable After a Car Accident?
If you were injured in a car accident, and the other driver was at fault, you are entitled to financial compensation by filing a personal injury claim. In addition to lost wages and property damage, a successful claim will ensure that you recover the following medical expenses, which include future medical costs:
- Emergency room treatment.
- Ambulance services and transportation.
- Diagnostic tests, including X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs.
- Surgeries and hospitalization.
- Physical therapy.
- Psychological counseling.
- Vocational counseling.
- Chiropractic treatment.
- Massage therapy.
How Do I Ensure That My Car Accident Claim Covers Future Medical Expenses?
In order to recover the maximum financial compensation you deserve in a car accident claim, including future medical expenses, it is important that you have a thorough understanding of the severity of your injuries, your treatment plan, and whether you will require ongoing care to fully recover. Once you accept a settlement, you cannot go back and ask for more, even if it turns out that your medical needs exceed the settlement amount. The following steps will address your long-term care needs and ensure that you recover the maximum compensation you deserve:
- Get immediate medical attention. In the moments following a car accident, you may not feel any pain or other symptoms associated with the injury due to the adrenaline that is coursing through your body. For example, if you declined medical attention after a relatively minor accident, but you start experiencing intense back pain weeks later, the costs associated with treating the injury, including diagnostic tests, surgery, and ongoing physical therapy, may not be covered. In addition to seeking immediate medical attention after the accident, it is important that you consult specialists, including neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, and physical therapists who can provide expert opinions about the severity of your injury, the recommended treatment, and the long-term impact.
- Keep detailed records. Obtain copies of your medical records from every healthcare provider who treated you, including primary care physicians, surgeons, physical therapists, and mental health professionals. Your medical records should include receipts for treatment, prescriptions, medical equipment, travel, and other expenditures.
- Communicate with loved ones and healthcare professionals about your care. If you are facing ongoing care after recuperating from a car accident, it is imperative that you discuss your condition and consider the following factors:
– Your diagnosis. Make sure that you get a clear diagnosis and that you understand the nature of your injury, including limitations and complications associated with the injury, and how long the recovery process is expected to take.
– Your treatment plan. Discuss your treatment options, possible complications, expected duration, and probable outcomes. Talk to your healthcare providers about your treatment progress and possible adjustments to the plan if it becomes necessary.
– Rehab and physical therapy. While this is standard therapy for car accident injuries, you may require ongoing sessions for months or even years after the accident.
– Future surgeries. Certain injuries may require multiple surgeries in order to address the issues and fully improve functionality.
– Medication requirements. Depending on the nature of the injury, you may need to take certain medications indefinitely, particularly if you suffer from chronic pain or other conditions that require medication. - Do not accept an initial settlement offer. Insurance companies know that when they present an initial offer, it seems like a large sum of money to most people. While you may be tempted to accept an initial offer, it rarely covers the total damages, particularly if your injuries are serious and you will require ongoing medical care. Rushing to a settlement can have devastating financial consequences if your medical expenses continue to accumulate after the settlement money has been used.
- Contact a car accident lawyer. An experienced car accident lawyer will help you navigate every step of the claims process, negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, and ensure that you recover the maximum damages, including future medical expenses that you may not anticipate.
What if My Medical Expenses Exceed My Car Accident Settlement?
If your medical expenses continue to pile up after your settlement money has been used, there are options you can pursue that will help you pay your bills, including the following:
- Negotiate with medical providers. In some cases, medical providers may be willing to work with you to reduce your medical bills or set up a payment plan that allows you to pay your medical bills over an agreed-upon period of time.
- Use your personal health insurance. Your health insurance may cover some of your medical costs, which can reduce the amount of medical debt you may face. This is particularly useful if you have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) as part of your auto insurance policy. This coverage is intended to reimburse the immediate costs of medical expenses following a car accident, even before you have reached a settlement.
- Look into underinsured motorist coverage. If the motorists responsible for causing the accident have minimal auto insurance, you may be able to file a claim with your own auto insurance through your underinsurance motorist coverage, which covers medical expenses that exceed your settlement amount.
- Mediation or arbitration. If you are unable to negotiate an agreement with the insurance company, an alternative dispute resolution, like mediation or arbitration, may resolve the issue without having to go to court. Both options are generally less expensive and time-consuming than filing a lawsuit.
- File for bankruptcy. This option should only be considered if all other options have been exhausted. The benefit of declaring bankruptcy is that it can help reduce unpaid medical debt. However, it can have long-term financial consequences. For example, it can damage your credit score and make it difficult to seek employment or get approved for a loan.
A Virginia Beach Car Accident Lawyer at Anchor Legal Pursues Maximum Damages for Car Accident Victims
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a car accident that was caused by the other driver involved, it is highly recommended that you contact a Virginia Beach car accident lawyer at Anchor Legal ® at your earliest convenience. To schedule a free consultation, call today at 757-LAW-0000 or contact us online. Located in Virginia Beach, we proudly serve clients in the surrounding areas.