Sometimes, paying for medical care after a car accident can be nearly as scary as the collision itself. This is especially true if you do not have personal health insurance at the time it happens. If you end up seriously injured in this kind of situation, how do you pay for the treatment you need? Depending on your circumstances, you may have some different options. Consider if any of these five can work for you.
1. Talk to a Lawyer
No matter what, talking to a legal professional after a car accident can be a good idea. Whether you were at-fault or the other driver was, an experienced lawyer, like a car accident lawyer in Towson, MD from Seigel & Rouhana, can help you work out the details of your case. If you need to find a way to cover hospital bills, a lawyer may be able to help you figure that out as well.
2. Check Your Car Insurance
Take a look at your automobile policy’s personal injury coverage. Most people have some form of coverage through this channel, but unfortunately, it probably has limits. To receive any compensation, you should expect to provide your insurer with all medical bills and details of the accident.
3. Ask About a Payment Plan
Another possible option you may have is through the medical care provider you go to. Because emergency surgeries can often cost thousands of dollars, many hospitals and clinics offer patients payment options that can be more manageable. Contact the billing department to see if they have any such solution.
4. Ask Family or Friends for Help
Depending on your family’s resources, getting assistance from a relative is another option some people have for covering medical expenses. If you go this route, make sure both you and your family member agree to the terms of repayment. In addition, there are online tools like GoFundMe available to set up an account where people can contribute funds toward whatever financial needs you may have.
5. Take Out an Emergency Loan
As a last resort, sometimes people have to turn to their bank or credit union to obtain an emergency loan. While this may not be ideal, it can be an option if you are in a difficult place financially. Depending on the lending institution, you may be able to find something with low interest rates given the nature of the loan.
In general, not having health insurance can be scary. When you are in a car accident without it, however, things can be downright terrifying. If you find yourself in this situation, try not to panic. Instead, contact a lawyer to see if you have more options than you can think of.