After a major accident, you may be dealing with serious injuries as well as property damage. Managing the costs associated with these injuries can be stressful, especially if prolonged hospital stays or rehabilitation services are required during the recovery process. Consulting with an experienced Houston car accident attorney can provide added support in dealing with the financial aftermath of a serious crash and can help you and your family achieve a fair settlement for your injuries and losses. These legal professionals can provide you with the representation you need to achieve your goals both in and out of the courtroom setting.
Here are four essential tips to remember after a serious accident.
Seek Medical Attention Promptly
Insurance companies have a vested interest in minimizing their financial liability after a covered accident. As a result, your vehicle insurance company may recommend that you wait to seek medical treatment after your accident or may offer to refer you to a doctor of their choosing. In most cases, these delaying tactics are designed to reduce your chance of collecting on your insurance claim. After sufficient time has passed, the insurance company typically rejects or limits the claim because the injuries you claimed cannot be substantiated with medical records from the time of the accident.
Rather than waiting for approval from your insurer, it is generally to your benefit to seek treatment using your own health insurance policy to treat your injuries and to establish documentation of your injuries as soon as possible after your accident.
Use Your Own Health Insurance
In most cases, health insurance policies include contractual provisions that can reduce the amount charged for various services. Failing to seek treatment using your own health insurance policy can allow the auto insurance company to deny payment for the part of the claim that would have been covered by this reduction in costs.
Conversely, your health insurance provider may try to insist that you file for coverage with the auto insurance company of the person responsible for the accident. Retaining the services of an experienced attorney can provide added help in pursuing your insurance claim in and out of court, including navigating communication with several insurance companies.
Health Insurance May Not Be Enough
Most health insurance companies pay at least a portion of the medical expenses for covered individuals after a car accident. Deductibles and coinsurance payments, however, are usually paid out-of-pocket by patients well before insurance coverage kicks in and pays for any additional charges. These expenses can quickly add up to major financial drains, especially for families already dealing with repair costs and lost wages associated with serious automobile accidents.
A personal injury attorney can often provide expert assistance with your insurance claim, allowing you to reclaim your out-of-pocket expenses and ensure the largest possible settlement for your accident lawsuit or claim.
The Insurance Adjuster Is Not on Your Side
Insurance companies often present themselves as advocates for their own customers and even for those injured due to the negligence of their policyholders. In fact, most insurance adjusters are motivated to deny claims or to make unrealistically low settlement offers to reduce the financial liability for their employers. It is in your best interest not to rely solely on the advice or claims of the insurance adjuster.
Insurance companies maintain a team of attorneys who specialize in personal injury and liability cases. The right legal counsel can even the playing field for you and your family and can ensure that you receive the compensation to which you are entitled for your injuries, damages, and losses.
By working with a legal professional, you can put the odds in your favor when negotiating with insurers or pursuing your claims in a Texas court of law.
