Following a car wreck, a crash victim can get medical care using his or her health insurance, auto insurance, Medicare or Medicaid, or a letter of protection. The victim should see a doctor immediately, even when there are no visible injuries or pain. Seeking prompt medical care is instrumental in building a solid personal injury claim in the future. It also protects the health of the accident victim.
Options for Getting Medical Care Following an Auto Collision
Personal Health Insurance
If the victim has health insurance that can pay for the medical care, he or she should provide this information to the attending medical practitioners. The health insurance will cover the medical expenses upfront and pursue compensation from a third-party insurance provider or out of any compensation recovered by the policyholder later. This process is known as insurance subrogation.
Auto Insurance – MedPay
The wreck victim can use auto insurance to take care of medical bills, especially if he or she has MedPay coverage. MedPay is an optional form of auto insurance in Nevada.
Medicare or Medicaid
In the absence of any other insurance, the crash victim can use Medicare to cover the cost of medical care. The victim, however, has a legal duty to repay Medicare out of any compensation received.
A Letter of Protection (LOP)
An LOP is just a letter that promises that the expenses will be settled out of any settlement or court-award received. The injured victim will be responsible for the medical expenses in the event of an unsuccessful injury claim or lawsuit. Besides commencing negotiations with the insurance carrier, a car wreck lawyer can help the injured party get the right medical care by issuing a letter of protection to medical practitioners who accept LOPs.
Delayed Medical Care May Lead to Low or Denied Injury Claims
Delayed medical care is often an excuse by the insurance companies to offer victims low settlements or deny them altogether. Common mistakes that can lead to low settlements or claim denial include:
- Not seeking immediate medical help
- Failing to call an ambulance
- Failing to follow the doctor’s instructions
- Missing doctor’s appointments
- Using alternative or experimental medical care
Documenting injuries and treatments
Complete honesty is necessary when speaking with the attending doctor. Doctors frequently guide the patients with proper documentation of the injuries and consequent treatments. This documentation serves as part of the evidence in the personal injury claim.
