If you have been hurt by a negligent driver after a car accident in Massachusetts the law says you have the right to full compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages and potentially more.
By: James Swartz
Managing & Principal Attorney – Car Accidents, Catastrophic Injuries, Contract and Business Litigation, Inadequate Security & Premises Liability Litigation, Medical Malpractice, Product Liability & Wrongful Death
Hiring the right personal injury attorney is an important part of getting you the justice and compensation you deserve.
Get attention from a certified medical doctor
If you are injured as a result of a car accident, you need to seek medical attention – it must always be your priority, regardless of how the accident happened or who may have been responsible. Even if you don’t “feel” hurt, you should still get checked out by a physician within 24 hours of an accident occurring to rule out any injuries that can’t be obviously detected. Rest assured, you cannot be refused emergency treatment if you don’t have health insurance in accordance with the Emergency Medical Treatment And Labor Act.
Getting medical attention and getting your injuries officially documented by a registered physician are important parts of your personally injury case, especially if the accident was not your fault and you’re seeking compensation for the medical expenses you incurred. Make sure the physician who sees and assesses you is the real deal – they need to have gone to an accredited medical school, have a licence to practice medicine in Massachusetts, and should be board certified in a relevant area of specialization.
The Board of Registration in Medicine is responsible for licensing, regulation, and discipline of Massachusetts physicians. Use “Check a Physician Profile” to confirm the doctor you see has the right credentials and if they have ever been in trouble with the board.
Make sure the physician who sees and assesses you is the real deal – they need to have gone to an accredited medical school, have a licence to practice medicine in Massachusetts, and should be board certified in a relevant area of specialization.
Look into health and car insurance.
If you do not have health insurance in the State of Massachusetts, and you are the driver involved in an accident, the good news is that your car insurance will pay for at least $2,000 and potentially up to $8,000 of your medical bills, no matter who was at-fault. If you are a passenger with no health insurance who has gotten hurt, your own Massachusetts no-fault auto insurance policy may apply – So, be sure to check with your insurance company.
If you don’t have car insurance, ask a family member that you live with if they do – their insurance may apply to you. If you have no health insurance, and no family member that you live with has car insurance, the owner of the car should have a policy that covers you. If they do not,the driver of the car you were in (if different from the person who owns the car) might have coverage that applies, so be sure to ask.
Some car insurance policies have additional terms that are specifically for medical payments, often called “med pay” coverage to help you pay your medical bills up to $10,000. Medicaid provides federal health insurance for lower-income individuals. MassHealth in Massachusetts is where to go if you want to get federal health insurance. It’s worth checking out, as it’s possible to get an insurance payout even if the accident occurred before signing up for Medicaid.
Call the attorneys at Swartz & Swartz P.C.
Your next call should be to us. We will work with you to file your personal injury claim. We can even contact your insurance company on your behalf. It’s normal to feel stressed and anxious after an accident, especially if paying for you medical bills is an issue. At Swartz and Swartz P.C., we will work hard to get your claim resoived as quickly as possible so you can get the money you need to pay your medical bills and start enjoying life again. Contact us here or give us a call directly at (617) 742-1900.
James Swartz, our Managing and Principal Attorney at Swartz & Swartz P.C., is a nationally recognized and respected trial attorney as well as consumer advocate. His practice focuses on cases involving negligence, torts, products liability, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and other claims involving catastrophic injuries.
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