Navigating Car Accident Medical Bills in Albuquerque
The aftermath of a car accident can get expensive. Costs can pile up while you’re out of work and healing.
But how do you pay your medical bills after a car accident in Albuquerque? A New Mexico car accident lawyer can help. Contact the Parnall Law Firm for a free consultation.
Who Pays for Medical Bills After a New Mexico Car Accident?
New Mexico subscribes to a traditional at-fault car insurance system, meaning when an accident occurs, you can turn to the at-fault driver’s car insurance company for compensation for your injuries and financial losses. Under this system, the negligent driver who caused the crash is responsible for all accident-related expenses, including property damage and medical expenses. However, you might have to initially deal with these medical expenses until an Albuquerque car accident attorney can prove the other driver was at fault and negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
Understanding Insurance Coverage After an Auto Accident
Getting the money you need to cover expenses from the other driver’s insurance company can take time. Meanwhile, medical providers may send you bills and raise your stress level. You may have different options to pay for your necessary medical expenses upfront.
Your health insurance provider may cover the cost of your necessary and immediate medical treatment. However, be aware that your health insurance provider will seek reimbursement when your car accident claim gets finalized. Your insurer may work to recover expenses from the at-fault driver’s insurer. This process is called subrogation. Your health insurance provider may also place a lien on your settlement, meaning they get paid first.
Medical Payments Insurance, or MedPay, is another option available to New Mexico drivers. Medical Payment Coverage is supplemental insurance coverage you can purchase from your insurance company that pays reasonable medical expenses related to a car accident up to your policy’s limits. A MedPay policy can help cover your medical expenses, even in cases where you are partially or entirely at fault for causing an accident.
In situations where the at-fault motorist is uninsured or underinsured, UM/UIM coverage can help cover the cost of your medical expenses and other financial losses. This is another form of supplemental insurance coverage designed to protect you when uninsured and underinsured motorists cause accidents.
If you do not have MedPay, UM, or UIM supplemental insurance or medical insurance, you can also pay your medical bills out of pocket while waiting for your car accident claim to settle. However, it can be challenging for many people to cover significant medical expenses out of pocket, especially those associated with a catastrophic car accident. Some doctors may be willing to provide initial medical treatment upfront in exchange for a medical lien in which you agree to pay them from any settlement you receive from a personal injury claim. An experienced New Mexico car accident lawyer can help you understand how insurance coverage works and outline your options for paying for your medical care.
In any event, you should seek medical attention after being injured in a car crash – even if you’re worried about how to pay. You should not sacrifice your health because of an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. You may have several options for paying for your medical treatment after a car accident in New Mexico. An experienced attorney can review applicable insurance policies and consider ways of maximizing your compensation, such as finding other parties involved in the accident and pursuing multiple legal claims.
Types of Medical Expenses You Might Incur After a Car Accident in New Mexico
New Mexico car accidents can be violent and traumatic events, meaning you can incur numerous types of medical expenses related to your care and treatment. Some of the most common types of medical expenses you might expect following a car accident in Albuquerque include:
- Ambulance rides
- Emergency medical treatment
- Surgical costs
- Anesthesia costs
- Doctor fees
- Hospital fees
- Imaging costs
- Medical testing/lab work costs
- Follow-up medical appointments
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Durable medical equipment
- Prosthetic devices
Your medical records are crucial to your insurance claim. Recovering maximum compensation for your economic damages or measurable financial losses may depend on the strength of evidence such as medical documentation, so keep all your records after an accident.
Managing Medical Bills After an Accident
Managing medical bills after a car accident can seem daunting, especially when you are in pain and still recovering. The first step toward managing your bills is getting organized. Separate your accident-related medical expenses and keep copies of your bills separate from your other bills and household expenses. Staying organized can help decrease stress and give you and your personal injury attorneys a better idea of your accident-related medical expenses.
Next, take time to review every medical bill you receive. Hospitals and medical providers are notorious for making billing errors that can cost you. Many medical bills include errors. These errors can cost patients and insurers thousands of dollars in some cases. Ask your healthcare provider for itemized bills and closely review all procedures, treatments, and costs.
Although intimidating, you can dispute and negotiate your medical bills, especially when there are discrepancies, double billing issues, code errors, or you are being billed for a treatment you did not receive. You can start with a phone call to the hospital or healthcare provider’s billing office.
Long-Term Financial Planning
Accepting a speedy settlement offer from the other driver’s car insurance company is seldom in your best interest. This is because it may take time to calculate the total value of your medical bills and financial losses. You want to receive fair compensation for your injuries. That can mean taking the time to evaluate your ongoing medical care and potential expenses. Sometimes, a personal injury lawsuit becomes the best method for recovering the money you need to cover your current and future medical bills related to the car accident.
Working with an experienced New Mexico car accident lawyer is the best way to understand your legal options for pursuing maximum compensation for your current and long-term care. Before you accept a settlement offer from an insurer, discuss your situation with an Albuquerque personal injury attorney.
Role of a Settlement to Help Manage Medical Costs
Negotiating for fair compensation through a personal injury settlement may be one way to recover the money you need to cover your medical bills following a New Mexico car accident with an at-fault driver. Working with an experienced car accident lawyer can help you present a claim that stands the best chance of offering you a favorable outcome.
A car accident settlement may provide compensation for your:
- Past medical expenses
- Future expenses
- Lost wages
- Reductions in your long-term earning capacity
- Costs to repair or replace your damaged vehicle
- Non-economic damages, such as for your mental and physical pain and suffering
An experienced attorney from Parnall Law can seek compensation for your accident-related losses and fight for the justice and accountability you deserve.
Get Help from an Experienced New Mexico Car Accident Attorney
The legal team at Parnall Law Firm has extensive experience handling car accident cases. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients. We can conduct a thorough investigation, collect evidence, and handle the legal process so you can focus on healing and not the stress of navigating the claims process.
Contact our office today and request a free consultation with an Albuquerque car accident lawyer.
