One of the most frightening things about getting into an accident while you’re on your bike is thinking about recovery. The medical bills you’ll be faced with after a crash are often the largest financial obligation some people will have in their lifetime. Even non-life-threatening injuries like a sprained wrist or ankle can cost you tens of thousands of dollars.
You’ll also have to consider the time you’ll have to take off from work, the time you may have to spend in the hospital after your injury, and follow-up with your physician or physical therapist. When you include medical bills for the treatment for broken bones, brain injury, and other injuries that can last for months or years, the cost of medical care can add up pretty quickly.
Remember that your health insurance company usually retains the right to be reimbursed for treatments it covered related to your bicycle crash if you are not at fault for the accident. Here is some valuable information that will help you figure out how to pay your medical bills after a bicycle accident.
You can also schedule a consultation with a knowledgeable accident lawyer who will be able to properly consider your case. They can review the case and discuss with you the possible amount of compensation that may be available to you. Moreover, the legal representative may have extensive experience negotiating with insurance companies, which can provide a much larger amount of compensation than you would otherwise. In other words, they can take all possible steps to ensure your full physical and financial recovery.
What You Can Do
If you were hurt in a bike accident and the driver was at fault, you deserve compensation for any damages you’ve suffered due to the crash. However, it can take more than a year for your settlement to arrive. So, how can you pay your medical bills in the meantime?
There are a few options. If you have health insurance or Medicaid, most of your medical bills will be covered by your policy. If you have enough funds in your savings account, or you receive a loan from a relative, you can use this money to help with your medical bills.
Keep in mind that your car insurance policy could cover some of your medical bills if you’re in a bike crash. Contact your insurance company to see if you qualify.
Work-Related Bicycle Accidents
If you were hurt while riding your bike for work purposes, i.e. making a delivery, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation. The money you receive from your employer’s insurance policy can assist you in covering your medical bills.
In some situations, none of these options are available, or the money from insurance policies is not enough to pay all or most of the medical bills associated with the accident. Don’t panic yet, there are still options if you find that you can’t take care of all the costs associated with your medical care. You’ll find out about these options when you contact an attorney who specializes in bicycle accidents.
Working With an Attorney
If you aren’t insured or you don’t have an insurance policy that will cover most of your medical bills and you want to sue the at-fault driver, ask an attorney how you can manage your medical debt. Your lawyer may be able to provide financial counsel to help you cover the cost until you receive your settlement.
You may also be able to set up a lien instead of having to pay your medical bills right away. The lien allows you to wait until you receive your case settlement to start taking care of your medical costs. However, this could affect your credit score.
A bike accident lawyer can help with getting a substantial compensation the victim can use for covering the medical bills. If you’ve been seriously injured in a bicycle accident, it’s important to contact an attorney as soon as you can, and to tell your lawyer all the details of your case. Your lawyer can evaluate the details of your case and contact the proper insurance companies to ensure your medical treatment is financially covered.
