Were you injured in a car accident in Georgia? If so, you may be facing emergency room bills, doctor visits, physical therapy costs, and other medical expenses. Contact Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers today at (470)-291-4176 for a free consultation with an experienced Georgia car accident lawyer.
Georgia is an at-fault state, meaning the person who causes a collision can generally be held responsible for the resulting damages. However, the at-fault driver’s insurer usually will not pay your medical bills as they arrive. Our attorneys can help you identify available coverage and pursue compensation for your accident-related expenses.
How Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident in Georgia
Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers brings 50 years of combined experience to representing injured clients and has recovered over $100 million on their behalf.
When you hire our Atlanta car wreck attorneys, we can:
- Investigate your accident and gather evidence
- Identify the parties responsible for your injuries
- Review available insurance coverage
- Document your medical treatment and expenses
- Calculate your current and future damages
- Handle communications with insurance companies
- Negotiate for a fair settlement
- Prepare your case for trial when necessary
Our Georgia personal injury lawyers can handle your claim while you focus on recovering from your injuries. Contact us today for a free case review.
Who Is Responsible for My Medical Bills After a Georgia Car Accident?
Although the at-fault party may ultimately be responsible for your medical expenses, you generally remain responsible for arranging payment while your personal injury claim is pending.
Depending on your circumstances, your bills may initially be paid through:
- Health insurance
- Medical payments coverage (MedPay)
- Other applicable insurance
- Payment arrangements with medical providers
- Your own funds
If another driver caused your crash, you can seek compensation for qualifying accident-related medical expenses through a personal injury claim.
Will the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Pay My Medical Bills?
The at-fault driver’s liability insurance may ultimately compensate you for medical expenses, but it typically will not pay individual bills as you receive them.
The insurer will investigate the collision and determine whether its policyholder is responsible before resolving your claim. This process can take time, particularly when liability or the extent of your injuries is disputed.
Be cautious about accepting an early settlement. If your injuries require additional treatment, an early offer may not account for your future medical expenses. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you generally cannot pursue additional compensation for the same claim.
Can I Use Health Insurance After a Car Accident?
Health insurance may cover treatment after a car accident, subject to your policy’s deductibles, copayments, and other terms.
Using health insurance does not necessarily prevent you from pursuing compensation from the at-fault driver. However, your health insurer may have a right to reimbursement from your settlement or verdict for certain expenses it paid.
A Georgia personal injury attorney can review potential liens and reimbursement obligations when determining how much compensation you may ultimately receive.
What Is MedPay Coverage?
Medical payments coverage, commonly known as MedPay, is optional auto insurance that may cover certain medical expenses after an accident, regardless of fault.
Depending on your policy, MedPay may cover expenses such as:
- Ambulance services
- Emergency room care
- Hospital bills
- Doctor visits
- Diagnostic testing
- Other covered medical treatment
Because you generally do not need to establish another driver’s negligence to use MedPay, it may provide an important source of payment while your personal injury claim is pending.
What Medical Expenses Can I Recover?
If another party caused your accident, you may be able to recover reasonable and necessary medical expenses associated with your injuries.
These expenses may include:
- Emergency medical care and hospitalization
- Doctor and specialist visits
- Surgery and prescription medications
- Diagnostic tests
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Medical equipment and in-home care
- Future medical treatment
Keep your medical bills, receipts, insurance statements, and treatment records. This documentation can help establish the financial impact of the accident.
What Other Compensation Can I Recover?
In addition to medical expenses, a Georgia car accident claim may allow you to pursue compensation for other losses.
Potential damages include:
- Economic damages: Lost wages, reduced earning capacity, property damage, future medical expenses, and other financial losses.
- Non-economic damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Punitive damages: Additional damages may be available in certain cases involving particularly wrongful conduct.
A Georgia car accident attorney can evaluate your losses and determine which damages may be available.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Partly at Fault?
It is possible because Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can generally recover compensation if you are less than 50% responsible for the accident, but your recovery can be reduced according to your percentage of fault.
For example, if you have $100,000 in damages and are 20% responsible, your recovery could be reduced to $80,000. If you are found to be 50% or more responsible, you generally cannot recover compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Georgia Car Accident Lawsuit?
Georgia generally gives personal injury victims two years from the date of an accident to file a lawsuit. Missing the applicable deadline could prevent you from recovering compensation through the courts.
Exceptions can affect the deadline, so speaking with an attorney promptly can help protect your legal rights.
Contact a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in a Georgia car accident and are worried about paying your medical bills, Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers can help. With five decades of combined experience and tens of millions recovered, our legal team can investigate your accident, evaluate your insurance options, and pursue compensation from those responsible.
Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced Georgia car accident attorney.
