What are personal injury damages and what do I need to know? If you have been injured due to negligence or intentional acts, medical bills are often only a fraction of the damages you may be entitled to. Even if you have medical insurance that covers medical expenses, you should consult with a personal injury attorney when you have suffered a personal injury. Here are some of the things you may be entitled to and can benefit from having an experienced personal injury attorney representing you.
Out of Pocket Expenses Related to Personal Injury
Even with medical insurance, there are out of pocket expenses that can add up fast. For instance, insurance deductibles and co-pays can quickly accumulate. In many cases, insurance deductibles can be anywhere from $5,000 to over $10,000. There are even policies written today that are well over $15,000 for deductibles. Co-pays can be 20% or more and many insurance policies have high maximums before they cover 100%.
Another thing to consider is out-of-network providers and non-covered therapy or treatments. For example, some policies limit the number of chiropractic or physical therapy visits they will pay for, while other policies don’t even cover chiropractic therapy. A personal injury attorney understands the law and can work to ensure you receive compensation for all out of pocket expenses.
Lost Wages Due to Personal Injury
Even if you have a medical insurance policy, few pay for time off of work which results in lost wages. While it is often an option, it is typically cost-prohibitive and often not selected. However, after a personal injury that negates your ability to work, lost wages can greatly affect your life and circumstances. Without a personal injury attorney, claimants are rarely compensated for lost wages. Insurance companies make it difficult for lost wage claims. A personal injury attorney understands the procedures and laws and will look for lost wage compensation for you with far greater success.
Permanent Impairment and Pain or Suffering Due to Personal Injury
In many cases, those who hire a personal injury attorney are compensated for pain, suffering, or permanent impairments that would have otherwise not been considered. Personal injury attorneys understand the law and know how to submit the proper paperwork and documentation that greatly increases the chances you will be fairly compensated for pain and suffering or permanent impairments. While many people think that pain and suffering are manipulated just to increase payouts, pain is a serious result of personal injury and can wreak havoc on a person’s life. It is immeasurable so often not taken seriously, however, a personal injury attorney has experience dealing with this type of claim and will work to ensure you receive reasonable compensation.
In many cases, personal injury attorneys can help victims receive two to five times the amount they may have been offered, even after attorney fees are paid. For those wanting a fair settlement, talking to a personal injury attorney before accepting any settlement deal is simply smart.