What To Do if You Can’t Afford Medical Treatment After an Accident in Nevada

Why Medical Treatment Is Crucial After an Accident (Even If You Can’t Afford It)

Immediate medical care allows you to receive the treatment you need so that minor injuries don’t become more severe. Not to mention, early access to care brings with it a more optimal recovery process.

Additionally, if you do pursue legal action, such as a lawsuit, you’ll need to be able to prove that your injuries were because of someone else’s negligence that led to the accident. Seeking medical care immediately after your accident helps to prove this.

Documenting Injuries for Your Personal Injury Claim 

After your accident, you’ll want to document your injuries. Medical records help prove that your injuries resulted from the accident.

Documenting your injuries also helps you prove the extent of your damages. Documents like invoices and bills help show the monetary out-of-pocket expenses you’ve paid. 

Avoiding “Gaps in Treatment” and Insurance Company Arguments

Your auto insurance company will always look for reasons to deny your claim. If you delay seeking treatment, this can be enough for them to raise questions about your claim, minimize your settlement amounts, or deny your claim altogether.

If you delay seeking care, insurance companies can argue that your injuries were not severe, they were pre-existing, or were not caused by the accident to begin with.

Understanding Nevada’s At-Fault System and Its Impact on Medical Bills

Nevada is an at-fault state, meaning if you were not at-fault for an auto accident, your insurance provider will turn to the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage to recover the compensation needed to cover the cost of medical bills and other expenses that resulted from your accident.

Nevada also follows the modified comparative negligence rule. Under this rule, you can still recover compensation even if you are partially at fault. However, you must be 50% or less responsible for the accident. If you are 51% or more responsible, you’ll be barred from recovering compensation.

Initial vs. Eventual Responsibility for Medical Bills

Initially, you will be responsible for your medical bills. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to pay those bills, however.

If another party is at fault, their insurance should cover your bills. If there are any costs that are not covered, you can pursue a personal injury claim to recover those additional costs.

The money you receive from a settlement can be used to pay the medical bills that are under your responsibility. The major downside, though, is that, like most victims, you will need to wait a period of time for the settlement to finalize. This will typically take a couple of months.

The Role of Insurance Companies

The primary role of insurance companies is to minimize payouts when accidents happen. If you file a claim, the other driver’s insurance provider will fight back through lowball settlements. This is where the support of an experienced personal injury attorney is crucial.

Immediate Steps After an Accident

After an accident, there are some steps that you should follow to ensure a positive outcome in your case. Here’s what to know:

1. Ensure Safety and Call 911

Make sure you are in a safe space (remove yourself from traffic or from a totaled vehicle, if possible), and call 911.

2. Exchange Information With All Parties Involved

Make sure that you collect the name and contact information of all the other parties involved in the accident. You should also collect the contact information of any witnesses.

3. Document the Scene Thoroughly 

Document the scene by collecting photographs, videos, witness statements, and other pieces of evidence that highlight what happened.

4. Seek Medical Attention Promptly

Get medical care even if you don’t think you have an injury. Some injuries might take time to manifest. Seeking medical care also helps to start the paper trail of your damages.

Medical Treatment Options When You Can’t Afford Upfront Payment

If you can’t afford medical treatment after an accident in Nevada, you still have options. Let’s take a look at personal injury medical payment options. 

Medical Liens (Letters of Protection)

Medical liens after an accident in Nevada serve as a letter of protection that is agreed upon between you, your attorney, and your medical provider. The medical provider essentially agrees to treat you and will wait for payment until after your personal injury case is settled.

How a Personal Injury Attorney Facilitates Liens 

Personal injury attorneys can help facilitate medical liens by connecting you with medical providers who accept them. After the agreement is made, an attorney will draft the proper documentation to manage the lien agreement. An attorney will also ensure that the terms of the medical lien are fair for both you and the medical provider.

Benefits and Risks of Medical Liens

The major benefit of a medical lien is immediate access to care, and you won’t have to deal with the cost upfront. You also get the time to focus fully on your recovery.

The major drawback of a medical lien, however, is that if your case is lost, you will still be responsible for your medical bills.

MedPay (Medical Payments Coverage) 

MedPay is an optional auto insurance coverage that pays for medical expenses for both you and your passengers.

Is MedPay Mandatory in Nevada?

No, MedPay is not mandatory in Nevada. It is an optional add-on to your auto insurance policy. 

How MedPay Can Help

MedPay coverage in a Nevada car accident helps by covering all reasonable medical expenses up to your policy limits. This coverage can be used toward deductibles, co-pays, and other expenses that are not covered by health insurance.

Limitations of MedPay

There are some limitations to MedPay. These limitations might include low coverage limits. Additionally, MedPay does not cover lost wages or pain and suffering.

Using Your Health Insurance 

You should turn to your health insurance after an accident in Nevada, whether it’s through an employer, through the marketplace, or through government coverage, like Medicaid or Medicare. 

Subrogation

If your insurance coverage pays for your medical care and your injuries resulted from someone else’s negligence, your insurance company has the right to seek reimbursement through a process called subrogation.

Navigating Deductibles and Co-Pays

Throughout the process of seeking medical care, deductibles and co-pays will still apply. The good news is these costs are typically lower than paying for out-of-pocket costs alone. These costs can also be part of your damages if you’re filing a personal injury claim.

Related: How Do I Pay for Medical Bills While My Personal Injury Claim Is Pending?

Government Programs and Charity Care 

If you’re uninsured, or are facing financial hardships, there are programs that can help with medical bill assistance for accidents in Nevada. Here are a few:

Hospital Charity Care Programs

Many hospital systems offer charity care programs that provide financial assistance to individuals who are uninsured or underinsured. Speak with your local medical provider or hospital system to learn more. 

Other Assistance Programs 

Starting with your local department of health services, you can get connected to different community resources, as well as assistance in applying for coverage through Medicaid or Medicare.

Negotiating With Medical Providers

Regardless of your insurance status, you should always negotiate with medical providers. If you’re uninsured, ask for reduced discounts if you pay with cash. You should also ask about different financing options, as well as payment plans that can make it easier for you to spread out the cost of care.

Attorney’s Role in Negotiation

Working with an attorney can help you minimize the cost of your medical bills because they can negotiate on your behalf. This is especially the case when a medical lien is involved.

The Dangers of Delaying Medical Treatment After an Accident

Do not delay treatment after a car accident in Nevada, as this can create more problems in the long run. Issues might include the following: 

Worsening Injuries and Health Outcomes 

Failing to care for minor injuries can lead to more severe issues, like chronic pain, complex and expensive treatment later on, and even permanent disability in extreme cases.

Jeopardizing Your Personal Injury Claim 

Your insurance company will have more to work with to deny your claim or minimize your payout if you wait to seek out care. This is because the direct link between your injuries and the accident becomes weaker the longer you wait to seek medical care.

Statute of Limitations in Nevada

In Nevada, there is a statute of limitations, or a time limit, on when you can bring forward a case. Victims typically have two years from the date of their accident to bring forward a claim. Delaying treatment can eat into this critical timeframe.

How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help 

For many victims, personal injury attorneys make a big difference in helping secure the compensation they deserve. Here are some of the ways a personal injury attorney can help you with your case:

Navigating Complex Medical and Legal Systems

An attorney will help you understand your rights and legal options so that you have a better sense of what to do, and how to move forward. Throughout the process, they’ll stay on top of deadlines and deal with paperwork so that you can focus on recovery.

Connecting You With Medical Providers Who Work on Liens 

If you’re uninsured or underinsured, an attorney can connect you with medical providers who accept medical liens. This might include doctors, chiropractors, and other specialists. You’ll be able to pursue medical care without the burden of paying upfront.

Negotiating With Insurance Companies and Medical Billers

A personal injury attorney will know how to protect you from aggressive insurance adjusters who might try to lowball your settlement amount. They’ll also work diligently to negotiate lower costs associated with outstanding medical bills.

Maximizing Your Compensation 

From negotiating with insurance companies to detailing all the damages you’ve suffered, personal injury attorneys know how to maximize your compensation so that you recover the full value of your claim.

Protecting Your Rights 

From start to finish, personal injury attorneys are vested in protecting your rights so that you don’t get taken advantage of, regardless of your financial situation, or whether you were partially at fault. They will advocate on your behalf throughout the entire process and ensure you are treated fairly.

Related: Collecting a Car Accident Settlement or Judgment

Adam S. Kutner: Your Trusted Personal Injury Attorneys 

Even if you do not have medical insurance, are underinsured, or are facing challenging financial circumstances, you still have the right to quality medical care, and there are options you can turn to so that you receive the treatment you deserve.

Get in touch with the experienced attorneys at Adam S. Kutner to learn more about the strength of your case, and your legal options moving forward. We don’t take a fee until we win your case, and our free case consultations are a place for you to start.

Schedule your free case evaluation today.

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