If you've been injured in a car crash, your first priority should be to do what it takes to heal from your injuries. You should focus on your medical treatment and any necessary physical therapy, even in cases where you're very likely to receive a substantial settlement because the other driver was clearly at fault.
This means that yes, if you currently have medical coverage through Medicare or Medicaid, and it's necessary to use that coverage to pay for your medical treatment, then you should use it.
There are a couple of reasons for this.
Settlements Take Time
First, it can take some time before you will receive any funds from the responsible driver's insurance company. While you may believe that you're likely to end up with a substantial settlement that will cover the cost of your medical care as well as compensate you for lost wages, damaged property, and your pain and suffering, it can take months and sometimes years before the settlement is finalized and the money is in your account. And if it's necessary to sue the responsible driver and your case goes to trial, there could be further delays if the other driver files an appeal of the jury award.
Delayed Medical Treatment Can Hurt You and Your Case
Second, if you delay medical treatment in the hopes that you can use the settlement money to pay for it, you could face arguments from the other driver's insurance company that your delay in treatment has made your injuries worse. They may argue that they should not have to pay for treatment that might not have been necessary had you promptly gotten the medical care you needed.
Insurers Typically Are Repaid From Settlement Funds
Finally, health insurers, including Medicare and Medicaid, generally require you to repay them for amounts they paid your health care providers from amounts you get for settling your case. That's why it is in your interest to get treatment as soon as possible – so that you can be sure that you will be able to claim all of the amounts that Medicaid or Medicare were billed for your coverage, as well as anything you may have had to pay out of your own pocket.
At Ackerman & Falcon, We Can Help if You've Been Injured in an Accident
When you've been injured in an accident caused by someone else's negligence, you may have many questions about what you should do and how you can get compensation for your injuries, damages, and pain and suffering.
At Ackerman & Falcon, we will answer your questions and fight to get you the compensation you deserve. We have more than 25 years of experience helping people injured in crashes in Northern Virginia, and we are ready to help you, too. Call us today at 703-288-1400 or fill out our contact form to set up a free consultation before you accept any settlement offer.
