Photo Credit: Mischelle Davis
If you’ve been injured while riding your bicycle, you probably already know how severe and stressful these accidents can be. If a motor vehicle caused the damage, it can be even more serious.
The attorneys at Seattle-based Davis Law Group, P.S., have over 20 years of experience representing bicycle accident victims. Many clients wonder how they’ll ever be able to get back on their feet, with a mountain of medical bills staring them in the face.
Bicycle accidents routinely cause head injuries, broken bones, ligament damage and other minor injuries. These injuries can end up costing tens of thousands of dollars – considering the time you might spend in the hospital and away from work, not to mention rehabilitation.
Below are the ways the average person typically pays for their medical bills after a bicycle accident.
Health Insurance
While some people have personal savings to cover their medical bills after a bicycle accident, most people are forced to use their personal health insurance plan to receive treatment. If you have an auto insurance policy, you might also want to check and see if it covers some of your medical bills.
For some people, and in the case of a serious accident, there might not be enough health insurance to cover the significant medical bills. Don’t worry, there are still options.
Settlement From The At-Fault Driver
An experienced personal injury attorney can help you manage your medical bills until you’ve reached a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company. The attorney can contact the people you owe money to for medical bills and set up a lien – an agreement that ensures you won’t pay your medical bills until a settlement comes in.
Meanwhile, your attorney will navigate the sometimes-complex task of reaching a settlement with the at-fault party. If you try to negotiate a settlement on your own, there are many mistakes you could make that will derail your claim.
Once you’re satisfied with the settlement the insurance company has presented, they’ll write a check to your attorney. The attorney will then take their fees – typically one-third of the settlement – then pay off any liens that you’ve incurred (medical bills, etc.)
The remaining settlement amount will go into your pocket.
Legal Help After A Bicycle Accident
If you need advice from an bicycle accident lawyer about your crash, call the Washington State personal injury attorneys at Davis Law Group today at (206) 727-4000. You can also use the chat feature below or fill out the contact form on this page.
