For many Seattle car accident victims, shoulder injuries present a challenging recovery path—especially when they lack health insurance or face high deductibles. If you're struggling with shoulder pain after an accident caused by someone else's negligence, Seattle car accident lawyer Preet Kode can help you understand your options for getting the medical care you need without facing financial ruin.
Medical Payment Options When You Lack Health Insurance
Shoulder injuries are common in car accidents due to factors such as seat belt positioning and the instinctive desire to brace yourself for an impending collision. SLAP tear shoulder injuries, shoulder impingement syndrome, torn rotator cuffs, or shoulder fractures can lead to severe pain and an inability to work or enjoy everyday activities if they’re not treated properly.
It is estimated that 26 million Americans, or an estimated 8% of the population, lack health insurance. If you’re uninsured, it’s natural to be worried about paying your medical expenses at a time when your injuries are also keeping you from working. Even without traditional health insurance, however, several options exist to help cover your medical expenses after a car accident in Seattle.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP). This form of insurance provides immediate coverage for medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident. Washington law requires insurance companies to offer PIP coverage with auto insurance policies, though you can choose to decline it. If you have PIP coverage, it typically pays for reasonable and necessary medical treatment up to your policy limits—usually between $10,000 and $35,000—without requiring you to pay a deductible or copay.
- Medical payments coverage (MedPay). While typically offering lower coverage limits than PIP, MedPay can help bridge gaps in your healthcare funding. Check your auto insurance policy or contact your insurance provider to determine if you have this coverage.
- Liability insurance from the at-fault driver's policy. You typically won't receive payment until you reach maximum medical improvement and settle your claim, which could take months or even years depending on the complexity of your case and your recovery timeline.
- Treatment on a lien basis. Healthcare providers that specialize in treating accident victims sometimes offer treatment on a lien basis. This arrangement allows you to receive necessary care without upfront payment, with the understanding that medical bills will be paid from your future settlement. A Seattle car accident lawyer can help you find providers willing to work on this basis.
- Payment plans that allow you to spread medical costs over time rather than paying the full amount upfront. These plans often feature reasonable interest rates or even interest-free periods, making treatment more accessible while you wait for your claim to resolve.
How a Seattle Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Secure Medical Treatment
When you work with Kode Law to resolve your personal injury claim, our legal team will analyze all available insurance policies to identify potential sources of payment for your medical treatment. We’ll review your auto insurance policy, the at-fault driver's coverage, and any applicable umbrella policies or underinsured motorist coverage that might apply to your situation.
With established connections to medical specialists who understand car accident injuries, Seattle car accident lawyer Preet Kode and her team can refer you to health care providers experienced in treating shoulder injuries and familiar with the documentation requirements for personal injury claims. These providers often agree to treat patients on a lien basis, allowing you to receive care without upfront payment.
To help ensure you are fully compensated for your injuries, we’ll also:
- Document the full extent of your injuries and their impact on your life, working with medical experts to establish the causation between the accident and your shoulder injury. This comprehensive approach strengthens your claim and helps secure fair compensation for both current and future medical needs.
- Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, preventing them from pressuring you into accepting an inadequate settlement that fails to cover your medical expenses. If necessary, we’ll file a lawsuit to pursue the compensation you deserve.
By having our team manage the legal aspects of your case, you can focus on what matters most—your recovery.
