blog home Personal Injury What if I can’t afford to get medical treatment after being hurt in an accident?

What if I can’t afford to get medical treatment after being hurt in an accident?

By John Singleton on January 15, 2024

When you’re in an accident, it’s important to get medical treatment as soon as possible. But this can be a problem for people who don’t have health insurance, and currently, more than 560,000 Virginians don’t have health insurance.

Fortunately, options are available to help uninsured accident victims.

You also have the right to seek compensation against the driver who hit you and anyone else who committed negligent actions that caused you harm. Your Virginia personal injury attorney can advise you about the best course of action and recommend affordable treatment options.

Here are some commonly asked questions and answers to help:

Should I seek medical treatment right after a wreck?

Yes. Federal law requires emergency rooms to treat everyone, regardless of if they have health insurance. So don’t hesitate to get medical treatment right away after an accident.

The hospital where you are treated will likely then refer you to a local doctor who can provide follow-up medical care. Free clinics and community centers also offer medical treatment without charge.

Getting the proper treatment is essential for your recovery. It’s also important to keep records of all medical treatment so your personal injury lawyer can calculate the cost of your injuries when filing a claim or lawsuit. Taking every expense into account will help you recover maximum compensation for your medical costs and other expenses caused by the accident, such as lost wages if you are unable to work.

Can my auto insurance policy help with my medical expenses?

When you buy auto insurance in Virginia, the insurance company is required to offer you Medical Expense Payments (also known as Medpay) coverage. Medpay is a first-party benefit that you are eligible to receive from your insurance carrier after an accident.

Virginia Medpay benefits are typically between $3,000 and $5,000, but policyholders may request higher Medpay coverage.

More good news: You don’t have to demonstrate fault to receive Medpay, and your insurance company is not allowed to raise your premiums after you collect Medpay in Virginia.

Depending on the language in your policy, you may even be able to collect Medpay benefits if you weren’t driving at the time of the accident, such as if you were a pedestrian or bicyclist who was harmed by a car.

Will my healthcare providers offer payment plans?

Doctors and hospitals don’t want to turn away people who need medical treatment. Your healthcare provider may be willing to arrange a payment plan to cover your treatment costs.

Then, if your personal injury lawyer wins you a verdict or settlement, you can pay the medical provider instead of continuing to make payments.

Can I buy health insurance after my accident?

Under federal law, health insurance companies are not allowed to deny you coverage due to a preexisting condition. That means you have the right to buy private health insurance, and you cannot be turned down just because you were in an accident.

Can Medicaid and “Cover Virginia” help me?

Medicaid is a national healthcare program for people with low incomes. The program is funded jointly by state and federal governments and administered by the state.

Cover Virginia is our state program that provides low-cost and no-cost health coverage programs based on income. These programs can help you get the medical care you need after an accident.

Who can I call if I am injured in an accident?

Give us a call at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys. We will investigate your accident and file a claim or lawsuit against anyone whose negligent behavior contributed to your injuries. This may include careless or intoxicated drivers, delivery and trucking companies that hire unsafe drivers, manufacturers of defective automobile parts, or others.

Ken and I are former U.S. Marines, and we consider it our calling to get justice for our neighbors in Virginia who’ve been harmed by others. Ken has worked as a federal prosecutor, and I have worked in large private-sector firms. That’s why one of our mottos is “big city experience, small town care.”

And, when you put your trust in GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, you don’t pay anything unless we win your case. We call it our Zero Fee Guarantee.

Call us at (804) 413-6777 or toll-free at (855) 781-6777 to schedule a free consultation today.

We will treat you like the neighbor you are.