The incredibly steep medical bills that are sure to follow a severe car accident can represent the most damaging aspect of the entire event. With dedicated and knowledgeable doctors, wounds can heal to a certain extent, but a person’s own finances might never recover. Individual bankruptcy in America is a testament to that truth, as medical bills are one of the leading causes of people filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. The problem of overwhelming medical bill debt stems from injured parties not receiving the compensation they deserve after being hurt. And this problem can often be linked to the fact that they don’t ask the right questions to their doctors during initial medical treatments and reviews. A general lack of understanding about the severity and extent of their own injuries leads to a weakened injury claim or vastly reduced settlement amount. If you need to file a personal injury claim after a car accident – or any other accident for that matter – be sure to ask your doctor these four questions:
- Are my injuries extensive? The true extent of your injuries might not be felt right away, especially if internalized damage has occurred. You will need full disclosure of how bad your injuries are if you want your personal injury claim to be founded on reliable information.
- What are the chances I get worse? In many cases of catastrophic injuries, a patient’s condition will worsen before it ever gets better. Receiving compensation for initial hospitalization will not be enough, as years of rehabilitation, surgery, and care might be necessary.
- Do I need a lot of time off work? You may be able to receive some compensation equal to wages you miss while you are recovering, but to get the right amount, you need to know how long you will be off your feet and in bed. A doctor’s estimation can also prove invaluable if you need to later file a workers’ compensation claim.
- Where do I get copies of my medical records? When filing your personal injury claim, the more solid evidence you can get in regards to your injury, the better. Your medical records can show how your injury occurred, what treatment is needed, how much you are expected to heal, and so on. Get a few copies for yourself and your attorney.
With those questions asked and the answers recorded, the next step towards your proper compensation is speaking to a Toledo personal injury lawyer from Williams DeClark Tuschman Co., L.P.A. With our 50+ years of total legal experience and client-focused approach to claims and lawsuits, you can be confident that our team will do everything in our ability to empower your case. Call 1-419-719-5195 or contact us online to begin.