Injured accident victims will need to have their injuries diagnosed and treated. These expenses are generally expected after a crash. However, there are a lot more expenses accident victims may incur that they did not anticipate.
Below, we discuss some of these uncommon medical expenses and how they may impact an accident lawsuit.
Call our South Bend car crash lawyers today to discuss your legal options during a free consultation. There are no hourly fees if you choose to work with us. We do not charge you anything unless we recover compensation for you.
Transportation
A lot of people do not think about the costs of an ambulance ride, since they think their tax dollars cover these operation costs. However, this is not the case in most places.
To reduce tax burdens on the general population, government municipalities contract with private ambulance companies and then transfer the cost of service to individuals who need it.
This means you will most likely receive a bill in the mail for that ambulance ride from the scene of the accident. If you suffered significantly traumatic injuries and need to be airlifted from the scene, you may also receive a hefty bill in the mail.
In 2017, Consumer Reports discovered that many airlift services often transported injured victims who did not require their services after an accident to increase profits. The insurance companies would then turn around and deny compensation for these costs.
Medical Equipment
Accident victims who suffer certain types of injuries, like spinal cord injuries or broken bones, may find themselves in need of medical equipment to help get around.
The costs of medical equipment may be significant, especially if you need something like an electric scooter. Depending on the technology of the scooter, you could be looking at $700 to $3,000 for the equipment alone. Then there is the cost of upkeep, including batteries, wheels, seat covers and add-ons to make it more comfortable.
Even if you suffered minor injuries, your doctor may recommend certain exercises at home that could require things like bands, cervical traction devices or balance trainers.
Other medical equipment you might need could include the following:
- Crutches
- Knee scooters
- Walking stick
- Forearm crutches
- Artificial limbs/prosthetics
- And more
Home and Vehicle Modifications
Just like medical equipment, some injuries may require a modification of your home and vehicle. For example, accident victims who are left paralyzed may need to have a stairlift added to their home and hand brakes added to their vehicles.
In addition to modifications inside the home, you may also need to modify things outside your home, such as adding wheelchair ramps to your driveway.
All these modifications can result in significant expenses that most people may never consider prior to the injury.
In-Home or Long-Term Care
If you live alone, or with someone who works full time, it may be difficult to do things on your own after a debilitating injury. Therefore, you may need to have round-the-clock care.
This could include having a licensed care professional in your home with you while you are alone. In some instances, moving to a care facility may even be a more reasonable option.
Personalized medical care can be extremely expensive, even with health insurance.
How Can I Pay for Unexpected Medical Costs?
Your own health insurance may not cover these costs since they arose from a motor vehicle collision. If they do cover it, you may still be expected to pay deductibles, out-of-pocket minimums and copays.
That is why you should strongly consider working with an attorney.
If the accident that resulted in your injuries was caused by a negligent driver, you can file a third-party claim against that driver’s liability insurance. Once you file the claim, your attorney may be able to negotiate a settlement that covers the full extent of your damages, including any unexpected expenses.
However, if the insurance company refuses to provide compensation, then you may be able to file a lawsuit to recover it.
This legal process can be long, and many accident victims may face mounting medical bills while awaiting compensation. There may be some options for preventing those bills from being sent to collection agencies. This helps protect your credit score.
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If you choose to work with our knowledgeable attorneys, we will dedicate our resources to pursue the compensation you need. Whether by negotiating a settlement or filing a lawsuit, our attorneys are ready to help.
Our interests align with yours because you do not pay us anything unless we recover compensation for you.
