Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
DUI Victim Medical Bills Can Mount (Part A)
As a drunk driving accident victim, there are many things that will run through your mind while you recover from the injuries you sustained.
Common DUI Victim Concerns
You probably harbor some anger or resentment towards the person who was driving under the influence (DUI) and injured you. You may also feel that Massachusetts’ DUI laws are deeply inadequate in terms of making restitution to the victims.
But even with all of those concerns to worry about, you also have all the medical bills and lost wages to deal with while you recover. If your injuries were severe and you are lucky to be alive, you might not feel so lucky when you see the hospital bill. CNNMoney.com reports that 25 million Americans can’t pay the difference between what insurance covers and the actual medical bills following a car accident.
Unfortunately for some victims of drunk driving accidents, their injuries are so severe, they lose their job. Once they lose their job, they may also lose the medical insurance that is helping to pay their medical expenses.
If you have lost your job or are in serious debt from a DUI accident, here are some things you can do:
- Look into independent health insurance
- Visit the Victims of Drunk Driving Trust Fund (DDTF)
- Investigate if you are able to receive hospital charity care
- Negotiate the fees with the medical providers
- Review the bills for accuracy
Beware of Defensive Medical Treatment
Another factor to consider is whether or not the tests and treatments are really medically necessary. Sometimes doctors are practicing defensive medicine which could increase your costs for treatment. Depending on whether or not you have health insurance, the bottom line could be very important to you.
“Every time a doctor orders an extra test for you, it pushes up your medical costs and – some experts say – contributes to the waste in the nation’s $2.2 trillion in health care spending”, CNNMoney.com reports. It is hard to quantify exactly how much defensive medicine costs Americans, but experts agree it’s an obstacle in reforming health care in this country.
How a Massachusetts Accident Attorney Can Help
Massachusetts OUI accident victims have rights! If you have been injured in a drunken driving accident, call the Boston car accident law firm Kiley Law Group to learn about your rights and legal options regarding your accident.
Call 1-888-208-1695 for a Free Case Evaluation.
Act quickly! The statute of limitations in Massachusetts may prohibit you from filing a lawsuit after too much time has passed since your accident.
Continue to DUI Victim Medical Bills Can Mount (Part B).
