Health insurance is critical in receiving treatment after a motorbiking traffic wreck. In fact, some providers may require insurance or payment upfront. Unfortunately, this can put injured motorcyclists at risk of not getting the medical attention they need if their healthcare is not covered.
However, there are several ways that a skilled motorcycle injury attorney can help relieve the financial burden of medical bills. If you were injured in an auto crash while biking, contact a lawyer at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy for information on health insurance for Columbus motorcycle accidents.
State-Funded Health Insurance for Motorbike Collisions
If an uninsured motorcyclist suffers
significant trauma in a crash, most Columbus hospitals will help them apply for state health insurance, especially if they are incurring significant expenses for their treatment. An
experienced attorney in the area can also facilitate those processes to ensure that the biker can receive the necessary ongoing treatment.
State-funded health insurance can help keep an injured motorist out of collections going forward. However, motorcyclists are highly recommended to obtain their own healthcare policy.
Medical Payments under Columbus Auto Insurance Policies
Alternatively, one can also seek coverage from auto insurance policies that include medical payments, or money that can be used for healthcare expenses. This can help cover co-pays and deductibles that health insurance might not take up.
To ensure that this money is used judiciously towards a patient’s medical bills, a hardworking local attorney can review their
health and auto insurance. Legal counsel can advise on whether medical payments should be saved for any out-of-pockets, co-pays, or deductibles rather than paying the full initial hospital bill.
Does Health Insurance Coverage Affect Civil Recovery for a Motorcycle Accident?
In Ohio Supreme Court, Robinson v. Bates determined that if a case proceeds to trial, the jury gets to hear the amount that was charged by the hospital as well as what health insurance may have paid for it. Based on this information, the jury can choose any potential award for damages. For example, if a bill is $1,000 but health insurance only pays $250, the jury tends to award $250.
Impact of Paid Sick Leave on Civil Recovery
If an injured biker receives paid sick leave, they can still recover the value of that sick time from another negligent party. For instance, if they use 10 hours of sick time at a wage of $10 an hour, then they could include $100 in economic damages in an
insurance or personal injury claim. This can be accomplished with documentation of a doctor’s orders to take off work time, which a savvy attorney can use to show the patient’s incurred losses.
Although health insurance can limit civil recovery due to a jury’s consideration of what has already been paid for medical expenses, paid sick leave is completely recoverable. Taking time off for
an injury would not limit a motorcyclist’s ability to pursue a claim for damages with the help of a Columbus lawyer.
Consult an Attorney on Health Insurance for Columbus Motorcycle Accidents
After an auto collision, you may be facing complex insurance matters such as potential liens or subrogated interest. Our law firm has experience negotiating these amounts on behalf of recovering victims, and we can help ensure that you are getting the best out of your health insurance.
If you were injured in a motorbike crash,
contact a well-practiced attorney at
O’Connor, Acciani & Levy. Our legal team can advise you on health insurance for Columbus motorcycle accidents and work to maximize your recovery.