The top priority for anyone injured in a car accident is to seek and receive proper medical treatment. Even a seemingly minor injury like whiplash that’s not producing immediate symptoms needs to be properly evaluated. But individuals injured in auto accidents don’t always have the resources necessary to immediately cover their medical expenses, even if they end up getting compensation later. Here’s what you need to know about one possible solution – doctors on lien for car accident injuries.
Receiving Treatment First
If you do not have health insurance or the means to cover the costs associated with ongoing physical therapy and rehab or specialized surgical procedures, you may find yourself unable to cover your injury-related medical expenses. What a doctor’s lien does is allow you to receive treatment from healthcare professionals willing to wait for payment until your case is settled or won.
In addition to broken bones (fractures) and severe cuts, doctors on lien for car accident injuries typically treat all types of auto-related injuries. This includes common auto accident injuries involving:
- Spine-related injuries – e.g., herniated discs, fractured vertebrae
- Traumatic brain injuries and other head injuries
- Issues related to internal bleeding
- Knee-related trauma
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and similar psychological issues
Entering a Legally Binding Contract
The process of obtaining services from doctors on lien for car accident injuries starts with the preparation and signing of a legally binding contract. The agreement involves you, the treatment provider, and your attorney.
Any physician, surgeon, or therapist that provided treatment under terms of the contract will get paid first when you receive funds from a settlement or a court case with a verdict in your favor. Also, medical payments must be subtracted from your funds first before you receive what’s left.
Providing Services at Reasonable Rates
A common concern about opting to seek treatment from doctors on lien for car accident injuries is the costs involved for such care. Anyone providing some type of care related to your accident should do so at the same rates they would charge if you were paying immediately.
If you are worried about medical providers over-charging, especially when there is no insurance company to be diligent about costs, discuss fees before signing an agreement. And while doctors are sometimes willing to negotiate their fees, they are under no legal obligation to accept payments below what is agreed to in the contract.
Weighing Your Doctor’s Lien Options
There are many compelling reasons to opt for a doctor’s lien to receive care following a car accident. However, you also should weigh your options. For instance, if your settlement is less than expected, you may end up having to cover the medical expenses not covered by your settlement amount. An attorney can give you a better idea of whether or not a doctor’s lien makes sense give your case’s unique circumstances.
There are many experienced and caring medical professionals that routinely provide necessary services with an understanding that payment will be received later. An attorney specializing in personal injury cases can help you find doctors on lien for car accident injuries in your area willing to accept delayed payments. They can also draft the necessary documentation required to set up a doctor’s lien arrangement.