Missouri Car Crash Compensation and Treatment Medical Bills

Medical bills can affect legal damages in a car crash, but in two ways:

1. Evidence of Damages:

  • Proof of Expenses: Medical bills serve as concrete evidence of the financial burden you've incurred due to the car crash. They document the costs associated with your treatment, including doctor visits, hospital stays, medications, surgeries, and physical therapy.
  • Basis for Compensation: The amount you spend on medical care is a major factor when calculating the compensation you deserve in a personal injury claim. Your attorney will use these bills to demonstrate your economic losses resulting from the accident.

2. Reduction in Awarded Damages:

  • Not All Bills Covered: In some cases, your health insurance might cover a portion of your medical bills. However, personal injury awards typically don't cover the portion already paid by insurance.
    • This is to avoid double recovery, where you'd essentially be compensated twice for the same expense.
  • Medical Liens: Healthcare providers might place liens on your personal injury settlement to recover the cost of treatment they provided. This reduces the amount of money you ultimately receive. Your attorney can negotiate with these providers to settle the liens for a lesser amount.

Here's a breakdown of some additional points to consider:

  • Future Medical Expenses: If your injuries require ongoing medical care or rehabilitation, your attorney will consider these future expenses when calculating your damages. Expert testimony from medical professionals might be required to estimate these costs.
  • Non-Economic Damages: Medical bills represent the economic losses you've suffered. However, personal injury awards also consider non-economic damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. These are not directly tied to medical bills.

Here's what an attorney can do to maximize your compensation:

  • Negotiate Medical Bills: Attorneys can negotiate with healthcare providers and medical institutions to potentially reduce your medical bills before they are submitted to the insurance company.
  • Negotiate Liens: They can negotiate with healthcare providers who placed liens on your settlement to secure a lower payout, maximizing the amount you receive.
  • Fight for Full Coverage: In some cases, your attorney might argue that the at-fault party's insurance should cover the portion paid by your health insurance, especially if the at-fault party caused the accident.

Remember:

While medical bills are a crucial element in a personal injury claim, they are just one piece of the puzzle. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the complexities of the legal process and ensure you receive fair compensation for all your damages, both economic and non-economic. 

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