FAQs
Contents
Do I need a lawyer?
If you were seriously hurt (broken bones, torn ligaments or anything which may be long-lasting or permanent) or if you required significant medical care, such as a hospital stay or extensive evaluation, it is important to speak with a lawyer. If your injuries were minor and resolved quickly, a lawyer is probably unnecessary.
Who will pay the medical bills?
If you have health insurance it is important that you provide that information to the hospital or doctor. It is preferable that the bills be paid by the health insurer as the health insurer will likely receive a discount of the amount to be paid on your behalf. Some doctors and hospitals will not submit the bills to a health insurer if there may be a claim against some other party. Your auto insurance may also cover some of your medical bills if you have medical payments coverage on that policy. Sometimes, the medical payments coverage must be exhausted before health insurance will cover the bills. This is an issue a lawyer can address on your behalf.
How much is my case worth?
The value of a personal injury claim is driven by the nature and extent of the injury, the medical care received and whether the condition is long-lasting and/or permanent. Whether the other party was clearly negligent will also impact case value. Other important factors include whether wages were lost, and what other impacts the injury had or will have on the person’s life in the future.