The quick answer to this question is almost always “yes.”
The quick answer to this question is almost always “yes.” When you've been injured in a car crash or other type of accident, it's in your best interests to get treatment for your injuries as soon as possible. And while sometimes you may have little choice, for example, if you need urgent care to help you survive your injuries, in other cases, you might believe you can put off treatment or therapy for some injuries until your settlement money comes in.
There are several good reasons not to delay getting the treatment or therapy you may need after an accident and to use your health insurance benefits to pay for it.
A Delay Might Make Your Injuries Worse
Delaying treatment or physical therapy sometimes makes the injuries worse or can even prevent you from fully recovering. When you hope to receive a settlement from the negligent driver's insurance company, their attorneys may jeopardize your case by arguing that they should not have to pay for injuries that were made worse because you delayed treatment or therapy. This could make your claim more complicated to resolve and could result in you being paid less for your medical costs as well as for your pain and suffering.
Settlements Don't Happen Overnight
When you bring a claim against another driver's insurance policy, it can often take months or even longer before the insurance company pays. That's because insurance companies typically won't make their best settlement offer right away. Favorable settlements take time to negotiate, sometimes not until a lawsuit has been filed. One settlement negotiation factor is the amount you and your health insurance company were billed for your medical and rehabilitative care. If you delay getting care, it's going to be harder to know how much those medical and rehab bills are going to be – and you still won't be healed from your injuries.
Your Insurance Company May Be Reimbursed
Finally, when you do receive a settlement, your health insurer may be entitled to be reimbursed for the amounts it had to pay hospitals, doctors, pharmacies, and physical therapists for your medical care and rehabilitation. When you make your claim against the other driver's insurance, you will want to make sure you claim as much as possible – including what your insurance company paid for your care and your own out-of-pocket costs.
Ackerman & Falcon Can Guide You Through the Claims Process
It can be difficult to get back on your feet after you've been injured in an accident. In addition to your medical treatment, you may need to replace or repair your vehicle, deal with time away from your job, and endure weeks or months of painful physical therapy. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Ackerman & Falcon understand what you're going through, and we will work to take care of the claims process so that you have one less thing to worry about. We've been helping people all across Northern Virginia with their car accident claims for over 25 years.
We'll keep you updated on your case and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries, damages, and pain and suffering. We'll do everything we can so that you can focus on your recovery while we focus on your claims. Call us today at 703-288-1400 or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation to learn more about how Ackerman & Falcon can help you recover what you deserve for your case.
