Physical therapy can be very expensive and, understandably, you might be concerned about how to pay for this necessary medical expense after a car crash. The short answer? The at-fault party or their automotive insurance company should pay for your physical therapy and other health care costs related to the accident.
However, even if negligence is proven and it’s determined you deserve a settlement, you might be paying for physical therapy out-of-pocket until your award is finalized. It’s possible you can get support from your health insurance coverage. Or, if you have medical coverage as part of your car insurance policy, that might be a good interim option as well.
More importantly, make certain you have a knowledgeable car accident lawyer like the professionals at Beck & Beck Attorneys who can evaluate your full claim and make sure all necessary medical treatments are covered.
What Injuries Often Require Physical Therapy?
Some injuries that commonly occur in car accidents are more likely to require physical therapy. These include:
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Back, neck, and shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Chronic headaches
- Spinal cord injuries
- Nerve damage
- Neurological issues
How Can Physical Therapy Help Me Recover?
This treatment is a valuable tool for ensuring you heal well from injuries received during an automotive crash. While each injury requires a specialized approach, here are some ways a physical therapist (PT) can help you.
Adjusting to Long-Term Changes
PTs can help you learn new skills or re-learn what was lost due to the accident to deal with the difficulties you may now experience. This helps you become more proficient at completing daily activities and to make any necessary adjustments.
Restoring Mobility and Range of Motion
It’s not uncommon for people to lose range of motion and mobility after being injured in a car accident in St. Louis, Missouri. A PT works with you to regain flexibility, balance, and other tools for movement.
Non-Invasive Treatment
Physical therapy may make it possible to avoid invasive treatment options, including surgery.
Preventing Side Effects
While physical therapy isn’t completely without the risk for potential side effects, they’re less likely to occur than those that may result from medications or surgery.
Reducing Overall Cost
Physical therapy is often more cost-effective than other intervention options.
Paying for Physical Therapy After a Missouri Car Wreck
If you were injured in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, you have a right to pursue a compensation claim for economic and non-economic damages, including medical expenses related to physical therapy. However, you must take the appropriate steps to ensure these costs are covered, so avoid the following mistakes.
Delaying Medical Attention
If you don’t see a doctor right away to have your injuries fully documented and treated, it can hurt your case. Not being able to show the direct cause and effect the accident had on you makes it difficult to get all of your medical expenses covered in a settlement.
Not Following Your Treatment Plan
Even if you have a full examination, if you fail to complete physical therapy or other recommended treatment, this could be used as evidence against you receiving a proper settlement.
Assignment of Fault
In Missouri, it’s possible that the court finds both parties at fault and assigns a certain percentage of the fault to each person. So, for example, if the judgment determines that you’re 25 percent responsible for the accident, the case may settle with the most negligent party paying 75 percent of your medical expenses, and require you to pay the remaining 25 percent.
Not Filing a Case
Filing a case is how you indicate that you have been injured and need compensation. The skilled legal team at Beck & Beck Car Accident Lawyers specializes in helping people injured in automotive accidents receive fair settlements.
How Can Our Missouri Car Accident Lawyers Secure Your Medical Expenses?
When you schedule a consultation with our office, you receive experienced legal advice that evaluates all the options in your claim to receive prompt compensation based on the facts of the case. Here are some of the ways we do this.
Advocate With the Insurance Company
Insurers only make money by paying out as little as possible. The legal team at Beck & Beck Car Accident Lawyers helps victims of Missouri car wrecks present the strongest case possible and ensure that future expenses aren’t forgotten in your urgency to address current needs.
We advocate that you receive compensation for ongoing:
- Ambulance rides
- Emergency room trips
- Surgeries
- Tests
- Medical follow-up appointments
- Medications
- Adaptive equipment
- Mental health treatments
- Additional therapies, including occupational, speech, or physical therapy
- Out-of-pocket costs
Negotiate With Medical Providers
Some people injured in car accidents don’t have health insurance. We’re often able to help them find the best available medical team to treat them and strategize to reduce their medical bills.
Provide Information About Loans
Should you be unable to cover your medical expenses while waiting for a settlement, our law firm can provide you with information about loans to bridge the gap.
Ensure All Documentation Is in Order
Having all of your medical records, the police report, and additional relevant paperwork together and submitted within the required statute of limitations can be overwhelming, especially when you’re also trying to recover from your injuries.
Represent You in Court
If it’s not possible to reach an agreement with insurance adjusters without going to court, Beck & Beck can provide you with an attorney experienced in representing plaintiffs in cases just like yours.
Choose Beck & Beck When You’re Injured in an Accident
After being hurt in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you need a skilled, dedicated personal injury attorney to help ensure you receive all the compensation you deserve. The lawyers at Beck & Beck are here to help you navigate the complicated legal system and get your life back on track.
Beck & Beck is the only Missouri law firm that focuses entirely on Missouri auto accident cases. We have extensive knowledge of personal injury law, and clients can feel assured that they’ll receive excellent legal representation. If you’ve been injured in a Missouri car accident, contact us online, or call our office directly at 314-200-1229.
