Pain In The Pocketbook And Car Wrecks
As if the damage to your physical self was not enough, being the victim of another driver's carelessness could also affect your financial bottom line. Two major areas of pain could attack your finances, so read on to learn more about these debilitating injuries and how to ensure that the at-fault driver pays you back for your troubles.
Medical Expenses
No matter how awesome the coverage, no insurance plan is going to pick up all the expenses when it comes to an automobile accident. There are monetary limits on all policies, and you could end up having to pay the difference in some cases. Medical costs are continuously skyrocketing upward, with no sign of slowing, so even relatively minor hospitalizations could end up with absolutely exorbitant bills. Keep in mind, you are probably not in any state to inquire about who or what will be covered when it comes time to do certain procedures. Hospitals will take any measures necessary to save your life and provide good care, and you may only find out later that a certain cost was not covered.
For example, ambulance rides to the hospital can be pricey, but what if you must be air-lifted away from the accident scene and sent to the nearest trauma center? It can cost upwards of $50,000 for that life-saving ride, and the insurance company may refuse to pay the cost. Only by filing a personal injury lawsuit can you expect to get medical costs covered over and above what the insurance will cover.
Lost Work
Very few people are in a position to disregard their jobs for several days, weeks or months, but that is exactly what could happen if you are seriously injured in a car wreck and need extensive treatment. Even a few days of missed pay will impact most people's budgets, so make sure that you get reimbursed for every cent of missed wages. If you needed to take vacation or sick leave to cover your lost wages, be sure to include that in your personal injury suit. You should not need to use those benefits because of a careless driver. Consider the following accident-related time obligations:
- Being evaluated at an emergency room on the day of your accident.
- Hospitalizations
- Trips to have diagnostic procedures performed.
- Going to the drug store to pick up your medications.
- Trips to make arrangements to have your vehicles repaired or replaced.
- Appointments with doctors, physical therapists and mental health experts.
- Recuperation time at home.
The last thing you need to do after a car wreck is to allow the carelessness of the other driver to impact your financial situation. Speak to a personal injury attorney right away, such as James Lee Katz.