Car accidents can cause a great number of painful and traumatic injuries. Treatment of these injuries can be very expensive. Unfortunately, the cost of such treatment can cause families to face immense financial distress.
You may collect payment for medical bills after an accident in Chicago by filing a lawsuit against the driver you caused your collision. Damages for medical expenses will typically be recovered from defendant driver’s insurance company. However, in order for your case to be successful, you must prove that you suffered injuries because of another motorist’s negligent actions.
If you were injured because of a car accident in Chicago, get help recovering payment for your medical bills. Contact our experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers by calling the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 for a free case review.
Collecting Payment for Medical Bills After an Accident in Chicago
In Chicago, drivers can be held liable for car crashes caused by their negligent actions. Therefore, injured motorists may recover payment for their medical bills by filing lawsuits against at-fault drivers.
There are four key elements that must be satisfied in car accident lawsuits. In order to recover payment for medical expenses from an at-fault driver, plaintiffs must establish the following:
- The defendant driver owed you a duty of care
- The defendant driver breached their duty of care
- You were injured because of the defendant’s breach of duty
- You suffered medical expenses because of your injuries
Our Chicago car accident lawyers can assess the strength of your claim by applying the aforementioned elements to your case during a free case review.
Do You Use Your Own Health Insurance to Pay for Medical Bills After an Accident in Chicago?
If you have health insurance, you should use it to pay for medical expenses in the aftermath of your accident. Defendants’ insurance companies almost never agree to pay your medical bills right away. Rather, you will use your own insurance to pay for your medical expenses initially. Afterwards, you will seek reimbursement for your medical bills by filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Plaintiffs may seek compensation for all medical expenses related to their injuries.
Filing an Insurance Claim vs. Filing a Lawsuit for Medical Bills After an Accident in Chicago
Accident victims may recover compensation for their medical bills by filing a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company or by filing a lawsuit against the defendant driver. After filing a claim with the other driver’s insurer, an insurance adjuster will be assigned to your case who will evaluate the range of damages caused by your accident. The adjuster will also investigate the cause of your collision. If your claim is successful, the defendant’s insurer will compensate you for the medical expenses you incurred because of the policyholder’s negligent conduct. Victims can reach out to our Naperville car accident lawyers for help when filing claims with other drivers’ insurance companies.
Unfortunately, insurance companies often wish to settle claims for as cheaply as possible. Appropriate settlements often cannot be reached between claimants and insurers. Therefore, in such cases, car accident lawsuits may be filed seeking further compensation from at-fault motorists. By filing a car accident lawsuit, you may recover the monetary damages you deserve. However, these cases can be very complex. The assistance of our experienced Illinois personal injury lawyers can be very helpful when navigating the road to recovery.
Lastly, injured motorists should also notify their own insurance companies after suffering car accident injuries in Chicago. Damages will usually be paid by the at-fault driver’s insurer after a crash. Still, many insurance companies require their policyholders to report all car accident injuries in a timely manner. Accordingly, notifying your own insurance company of your injuries can help protect your rights and interests.
Evidence Used to Establish Damages for Medical Expenses in Chicago Car Accident Lawsuits
Damages for medical expenses are usually established with medical records and bills. Therefore, if you were injured because of a car accident, you should seek medical treatment right away. Our experienced Chicago car accident lawyers can help refer the right doctors for you.
Official documentation of your injuries is required to recover payment for medical bills in car accident lawsuits. If an injury heals without being documented by a physician, it may be difficult for the victim to recover financial compensation for their medical expenses.
Furthermore, defendants and their insurance companies may use a delay or gap in medical treatment to minimize the value of plaintiffs’ claims. If you do not seek medical care right away, a defendant may assert that you were not badly injured. Also, if you stop going to doctors’ appointments or stop taking your prescribed medication, a defendant may argue that you are no longer in pain. If you were injured because of a car crash in Chicago, taking the following actions may protect your ability to recover compensation for your medical bills:
- Seek prompt medical treatment after your accident
- Schedule and attend follow-up appointments with your physician
- Call your physician immediately if your symptoms worsen
- Refrain from engaging in physical activities that may worsen your injuries
- Do not return to work if you have not been cleared to do so
- Take all prescribed medications on schedule
- Keep a journal detailing your symptoms and pain
Our experienced Joliet, IL car accident lawyers can help you collect and maintain the evidence required to recover payment for medical bills in your case.
Can You Recover Payment for Future Medical Bills Related to Your Car Accident Injuries?
Some car accident injuries may heal quickly while others require costly, long-term medical care. Fortunately, plaintiffs in car accident lawsuits may recover monetary damages for all past, current, and future medical expenses related to their injuries. However, recovering payment for future medical bills can be complicated. Expert witness testimony is often required to establish an accurate medical prognosis. Our Chicago car accident lawyers can summon the right experts to recover compensation for future medical expenses in your case.
If You Were Injured Because of a Car Accident in Chicago, Our Lawyers Can Help
If you were injured because of a car accident, seek assistance from our experienced Rockford car accident lawyers by calling the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 for a free case review.
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