After suffering an injury, do you have to pay these medical bills from your personal injury settlement? In most cases, the answer is yes. You will need to use your settlement award to cover your medical expenses.
Check out this article to learn more about medical bills and your settlement in Los Angeles. Additionally, don’t wait to contact us to find out more about the other compensation you could receive after an auto accident. Attorney Michael Simmrin is here to help with his advanced team of legal personal injury attorneys.
A Personal Injury Settlement May Cover Medical Bills
Personal injury settlement money may compensate for healthcare expenses after a car accident. These expenses are generally considered “special damages.” You might also hear them called “economic damages.”
Special — or economic — damages cover easily calculable losses caused by an accident. This could include any medical treatment associated with your accident. You may get compensation to cover your:
- Emergency medical care
- Time spent in a hospital
- Medical procedures and tests
- Rehabilitation services
- Medications
- Future costs associated with the accident
You should use the funds awarded through your settlement to pay off your medical expenses. The settlement is designed to provide you with funds to cover these losses.
Additional Special Damages for Car Accidents in Los Angeles
A personal injury settlement can also cover some of your other losses after a car accident. For example, you may receive compensation to cover your time off at work. Accident victims might even get compensation to address your lost earning potential, if you experienced an injury that led to a disabling condition.
An experienced attorney might also help you file a property damage claim in addition to a personal injury claim. This might help you get fair compensation to cover the costs of repairing your vehicle. Vehicle repair costs are often very high after an accident.
Note that you could receive this compensation even if you were hurt in a driving under the influence (DUI) accident. Find out more about how to file either a personal injury or a property damage claim by contacting us.
Learn About General Damages in Los Angeles
Like with medical costs, you can also receive “general” damages following a car accident in Los Angeles. Sometimes, these are called “noneconomic” damages. They do not have a clear-cut cost associated with them. Noneconomic damages could cover things like a personal injury victim’s:
- Pain
- Suffering
- Mental anguish
- Lowered quality of life due to severe injuries
Personal injury victims can also receive noneconomic damages through a personal injury settlement in Los Angeles. A personal injury lawyer will help you calculate the amount of noneconomic damages you could receive after an accident. Often, you must understand your economic damages before calculating general damages.
A lawyer may use the multiplier method to find an amount for your noneconomic damages. This requires a lawyer to take your economic damages and multiply them by a number between one and five. Which number is used as the multiplier will depend on the circumstances of your case.
Consider the Steps to Get a Settlement in Los Angeles
You may not get awarded a settlement after a car accident in Los Angeles. Your personal injury lawyer will investigate what happened, and he or she will need to show that someone else caused your accident in order for you to get financial compensation.
Your lawyer can also gather information about the losses you sustained. Make sure you keep any records associated with your medical bills here in Los Angeles. Keep medical bills from the hospital and any medical providers you visit. Your lawyer might also ask for records from your vehicle repair shop.
Using this information, a lawyer can help you file a legal claim with the fault party’s private health insurance company, which could lead to a personal injury settlement. As we mentioned, you should use the funds from a personal injury settlement to cover your medical care costs.
You May Need to Go to Court
However, an insurance provider might not offer personal injury victims a fair settlement right away. In this situation, your lawyer may help you file a personal injury lawsuit against the fault party in the California courts system in Los Angeles, where you could receive a jury verdict in your favor.
A fair settlement resulting from a won case can provide you with the funds to cover your medical bills. Contact our accident attorneys to find out more – we can help injured parties navigate their medical care expenses after an accident.
Should You Hire Our Team of Personal Injury Attorneys to Help Increase Your Settlement?
Hiring our team of legal professionals could greatly improve your chances of getting a higher settlement. Here’s why you should consider hiring our personal injury lawyers:
- Experienced advocacy: Our team comprises experienced personal injury lawyers who are well-versed in the intricacies of personal injury law. We have a track record of successfully handling a variety of cases, from slip and fall accidents to medical malpractice.
- Dedication to your case: When you hire us, you’re not just another case number. We prioritize personalized attention and dedicated representation for each client. Your concerns and needs are our top priority.
- Resourcefulness: We have access to resources that can significantly benefit your case, including expert witnesses, medical professionals, and investigators. We leverage these resources to build a strong case on your behalf.
- Negotiation skills: Our lawyers are skilled negotiators who strive to secure the best possible outcome for you. Whether it’s negotiating with insurance companies or advocating for fair compensation in settlement discussions, we are committed to maximizing your recovery.
- Trial experience: While many personal injury cases are resolved through settlements, we are prepared to take your case to trial if necessary. Our lawyers have extensive trial experience and are ready to vigorously advocate for your rights in the courtroom.
Hiring our personal injury lawyers ensures that you have a dedicated team fighting for your rights and pursuing the compensation you deserve.
Speak to a Lawyer About Paying Medical Costs with a Settlement
So, do you have to pay your medical bills from a personal injury settlement? You may need to pay your medical bills with a personal injury settlement in Los Angeles. A lawyer from our firm can help you secure a settlement to cover your losses.
Find out how by filling out our online contact form or calling to speak with a member of our team. If you were hurt in a DUI accident, a DUI lawyer in Los Angeles could help. Don’t wait to learn more about how your settlement will affect your medical bills. Contact us now.
