Question:
My wife and daughter were injured in a car accident a month ago. We were rear-ended on the freeway. The other driver’s adjuster (Bristol West is the insurance company) is not calling me back. We have received our bills from the emergency room visit after the accident. I want to make sure that everything is taken care of and that, ultimately, nothing is out of pocket for myself and my family.
Answer:
The reason the insurance adjuster is not calling you back is because it’s Bristol West. Their adjusters are overworked and underpaid. They are usually very difficult to get ahold of.
You do not want your ER bills to go to collection. If you have health insurance, make sure the bills are submitted to your health insurance carrier.
YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE CARRIER’S RIGHT OF REIMBURSEMENT
You should know that If you end up receiving a settlement from Bristol West, your health insurance carrier will have a right of reimbursement out of your settlement. So it’s important to submit the bill to not only your health insurance carrier, but also to the other driver’s insurance company.
TALK TO A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY IF THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS NOT RESPONDING
If the other driver’s insurance adjuster is ignoring you, you should speak to a car accident attorney regarding your rights. If your family went to the hospital after the accident, your injuries were likely more than minimal. The other driver’s insurance carrier is on the hook for your property damage, rental car, medical bills, any lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you delay speaking to an attorney, it could harm the value of your case. For example, if you have ongoing injuries, you should be receiving treatment. If there is a delay or gap in your medical treatment after an accident, the other driver’s insurance company will use that against you as a justification to pay you less money. They will claim if you were really injured, there would not have been a treatment gap.
If you were injured in a car accident, contact the Santa Monica car accident lawyers at McGee, Lerer & Associates for a free consultation.