After an accident in New York State, you may be anxious to hold the liable party accountable so you can recover the compensation to move forward with your life. However, when your medical bills are sky-high after an accident, getting help from a NY personal injury attorney may be the best way to resolve your case.
When you contact our reputable New York personal injury attorneys with Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., we can help you determine your next move and help you get the most out of your claim. Call us for a free consultation today so we can learn more about the details of your case.
What Kind of Bills Come From an Accident?
The types of medical expenses you can incur following an accident in New York could vary widely depending on the type of accident you were involved in, the severity of your injuries, and more.
Some examples of medical expenses you may receive due to your involvement in an accident include:
- Hospital bills
- The costs of a life flight helicopter
- Ambulance bills
- Physical therapy
- Costs of surgical intervention
- Diagnostic imaging fees
- Costs of prosthetic limbs
- Costs of prescription drugs
- Inpatient rehab fees
- Occupational therapy costs
- Chiropractor or acupuncture fees
Who’s Responsible for the Bills?
When you are involved in a car accident in New York, your medical expenses should be covered through your own insurance company since New York is a no-fault insurance state. Here, you file a claim with your own insurer since you purchased no-fault insurance coverage, also known as personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.
It does not matter who is responsible for causing the collision. As long as you have no-fault coverage, your own insurer is expected to cover your medical expenses up to the amounts of coverage you purchased. For example, if you purchase $50,000 in personal injury protection coverage, the insurance company would be expected to cover a maximum of $50,000 in medical expenses.
Generally, you will need to file a claim with your insurance company within 30 days of the accident. However, you should get started on your case as soon as possible to avoid issues and discrepancies in dealing with the insurance company.
It should also be noted that if you were involved in a work-related accident, you may need to file a claim with your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider to obtain coverage for your medical expenses and other benefits.
What Happens if the No-Fault Insurance isn’t Enough?
It is more common than you might think for no-fault insurance coverage to not sufficiently meet an injury victim’s needs. Once your medical bills exceed your no-fault limit, you may have the option of pursuing a claim with your health insurance provider, Medicaid or Medicare, or pursuing a third-party liability claim against the at-fault party.
However, pursuing a third-party liability lawsuit may mean it takes longer to recover the compensation you deserve. In the meantime, you will still need to get your medical expenses stayed or paid, depending on the circumstances of your case.
You may also need to pursue a third-party liability lawsuit for your injuries when you are seeking compensation for any type of non-economic loss.
Damages such as your pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, diminished earning potential, and more are typically not covered by the insurance company. You may only be able to recover these if you pursue a third-party liability claim.
What is a “Serious Injury Threshold”?
According to ISC § 5102, if you hope to pursue a third-party car insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit after an accident, you must meet the serious injury threshold. Injuries are only considered “serious” in New York State if the bodily injury you are diagnosed with was directly caused by the car accident.
Some examples of injuries that may be considered “serious” include:
- Bone fracture
- Dismemberment
- Fatal injuries
- Loss of a fetus
- Disfigurement
- Loss of a body organ
- Permanent limitation of a part of the body
- Being incapable of participating in your traditional activities and events for a minimum of 90 out of the initial 180 days after the accident
Suppose you are unsure whether you meet the requirements for a severe injury in the state of New York. In that case, the best way to find out is by discussing the circumstances of your case or the severity of your injuries with your personal injury attorney at HKD.
Can a New York Personal Injury Lawyer Help You?
Hiring a New York personal injury attorney to take on your case could make all the difference in your ability to cover your medical bills and other costs. Not only can you get your expenses covered, but you can also be awarded the compensation you deserve for how your life has been affected by your injuries.
Some of the most important tasks your personal injury attorney will handle on your behalf include the following:
- Identifying and interviewing potential witnesses
- Going over your medical bills and other potential damages to quantify your losses and calculate the value of your claim
- Understanding the types of evidence needed to support your case
- Conducting an in-depth investigation into causing fault for your injuries
- Preparing your insurance claim and negotiating with insurance adjusters
- Organizing and presenting your case to the insurance company or at trial
Call HKD for Help Getting Your Medical Bills Paid
Having an experienced New York personal injury attorney at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. could be the solution to getting your medical bills covered in full after an accident.
Reach out to our team of passionate attorneys for help standing up for your rights and advocating for total recovery of your medical bills and all of your injury-related expenses. Fill out our quick contact form or call us at (212) 490-5700 today to get started.
CLIENT REVIEWS
05/01/2015
“I cannot recommend Jon Damashek highly enough. I attribute the favorable outcome of my case to his consummate and tireless dedication and tenacity. Just as important, he was truly there with me every step of the way. He was very…
5
Mike, HKD CLIENT
05/01/2015
“I had the opportunity to work with Jon Damashek and had an amazing experience. I have known Jon for many years and always felt very comfortable relying on his expertise, knowledge of the law, and more importantly – his ability…
5
Steven, HKD CLIENT
06/05/2019
I had the opportunity of having this amazing team of lawyers work on my case. When I first met with Jordan Hecht and Michael Kusz, I really liked their energy and the spunk that they had, it meant business and…
5
Anonymous, HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
I cannot recommend Jon Damashek highly enough. I attribute the favorable outcome to my case to his consummate and tireless dedication and tenacity. Just as important, he was truly there with me every step of the way. He was very…
5
Mike W., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
I had the opportunity to work with Jon Damashek and had an amazing experience. I have known Jon for many years and always felt very comfortable relying on his expertise and knowledge of the law and more importantly his ability…
5
Steven B., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
I have worked with countless attorneys over the years and Jon Damashek stands out among them. I have seen first hand him advocate for his clients vigorously. He fights for the rights of the seriously injured, does not back down…
5
Wendy B., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
I know all three named partners at this firm and highly recommend them. They are very professional and tireless advocates for their clients. If you need a personal injury attorney, you cannot do better than Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek.
5
Eric G., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
After meeting with Jon Damashek I knew immediately he was the right attorney for me. I had met with other attorneys in the past, but Jon’s experience, knowledge, and track record were most impressive. I highly recommend Jon Damashek and…
5
Ryan G., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
After meeting a half dozen lawyers at different firms, I decided to go to Hecht, Kleeger and Damashek. As soon as I met Jon Damashek, I knew I had to look no further. Mr. Damashek made me feel at ease…
5
Michael R., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
I retained Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek for a serious personal injury case. They were very professional and managed to obtain a settlement for me that far exceeded my expectations. I would strongly recommend this firm for anyone’s legal needs.
5
Peter M., HKD CLIENT