With a growing network of bicycle lanes throughout the city and mild weather, Houston is a popular place to ride a bike for enjoyment or as an affordable mode of transportation. However, the roadways around town feature several hazards for bicyclists, and drivers do not always follow traffic laws or drive safely. If you or your child were injured in a bicycle accident, your health insurance can be an important tool in receiving immediate medical care. Here is a look at health insurance in Houston bicycle accident cases, how your insurer recoups the expenses they provide for your care, and how a bicycle collision attorney from KGS Law PLLC can help.
Why Should You Use Your Health Insurance For Injuries Caused by Negligence?
Texas is a fault state when it comes to traffic accidents. What this means is that those who are injured in accidents involving negligence on public roadways around Houston and throughout the state can seek compensation for their injuries by filing a claim against the liability coverage of the at-fault party’s auto insurance or other relevant insurance coverage. Most cases provide the claimant with up to two years to file a lawsuit in court if the at-fault party’s insurer fails to offer a fair settlement to resolve the claim.
Bicycle accident injuries require immediate treatment. If the injured party is covered by a health insurance policy, they have immediate access to the treatment they need without incurring medical debt. Even if they do not have coverage, seeking medical attention is always important.
How It Works
Most health insurance plans contain a subrogation clause. Subrogation means the insurer has the legal right to “step into your shoes” and recover the amount they spent on your care from the at-fault party. Usually, this occurs when the insurer places a medical lien on your claim so they can be paid back through your settlement or court award. When a lawyer negotiates with the at-fault party’s insurer, they may seek recovery not only of the amount owed to the health insurer, but coverage of other financial and psychological losses suffered by the bicyclist as a result of the accident in Houston.
What an Experienced Lawyer Could Do to Help
One of the important services offered by a Houston attorney is determining all insurance resources that can be used to compensate a bicycle accident claim, including health insurance policies held by the injured party. They could work to ensure that the settlement the claimant accepts covers the liens filed against the claim and, in many cases, also negotiate with the health insurance provider so they agree to accept a lower amount. This may put more of the settlement in the claimant’s pocket.
Learn More About Health Insurance in Houston Bike Wreck Cases – Call Us Today
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, your own health insurance can assist you in getting the treatment you need for your injuries while the lengthy and complex claims process unfolds. If you have questions about using your own insurance or health insurance in Houston bicycle accident cases, let the legal team of KGS Law PLLC give you the answers you need. Contact us for a free case evaluation today.