Let’s be honest \u2013 getting into a car accident in Denver is stressful enough without having to worry about who’s going to pay your medical bills. But here’s the thing: understanding how medical payments work after an accident can save you thousands of dollars and a ton of headaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’ve seen too many people make expensive mistakes simply because they didn’t know how the system works. They end up paying out of pocket for things their insurance should’ve covered, or worse, they avoid getting medical treatment altogether because they’re scared of the bills. Don’t let that be you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Colorado’s a pretty unique state when it comes to car insurance, and if you’re new here (or just never really dug into the details), you might be surprised by how things work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here’s something that catches a lot of people off guard: Colorado isn’t technically a no-fault state, but it has some no-fault elements. Confusing, right? Let me break it down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You’ve got what’s called Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which is mandatory in Colorado. This coverage pays for your medical bills regardless of who caused the accident \u2013 that’s the “no-fault” part. But unlike true no-fault states, you can still sue the other driver for damages if they were at fault.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think of PIP as your safety net. It kicks in immediately after an accident to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and essential services. You don’t have to wait for insurance companies to figure out who’s to blame \u2013 you can get treatment right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every driver in Colorado must carry at least $50,000 in PIP coverage. But here’s what most people don’t realize: that $50,000 has to cover everything \u2013 medical bills, lost wages, essential services, and death benefits if applicable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let’s say you break your leg in an accident. Your emergency room visit costs $8,000, your surgery runs $25,000, and you need physical therapy for three months at $200 per session. That’s already over $30,000 just in medical bills, not counting the wages you’ll lose while recovering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is why I always tell people to consider buying more than the minimum PIP coverage. You can usually get $100,000 or even $250,000 in coverage for just a few extra dollars per month. Trust me, it’s worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some people get confused between Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage and PIP. They’re similar but not identical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
El PIP cubre gastos m\u00e9dicos, p\u00e9rdida de salarios, servicios esenciales y prestaciones por fallecimiento. MedPay solo cubre gastos m\u00e9dicos y funerarios. Sin embargo, MedPay suele tener menos restricciones y, en ocasiones, puede ser m\u00e1s f\u00e1cil de usar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
En Colorado, puede tener PIP y MedPay, y ambos funcionan en conjunto. Si tiene una p\u00f3liza MedPay de $5,000 y $50,000 en PIP, su MedPay podr\u00eda pagar primero y luego su PIP se aplicar\u00e1 para cubrir los gastos adicionales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you’re hurt in an accident, you need medical care right away. You can’t wait weeks for insurance companies to sort things out. Here are your immediate options for getting treatment without breaking the bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your regular health insurance is often your best first option, especially if you’ve already met your deductible for the year. Most health insurance plans have negotiated rates with hospitals and doctors that are way lower than what you’d pay out of pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here’s a pro tip: always tell your health insurance company that your injuries are from a car accident. They’ll typically pay for your treatment upfront, but they’ll want to be reimbursed later from the car insurance settlement. This is called subrogation, and it’s totally normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some people worry that using their health insurance will make their premiums go up. That’s generally not true for accident-related claims. Your health insurance company knows you didn’t choose to get hurt, so it usually won’t affect your rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you go to the emergency room after an accident, they have to treat you regardless of your ability to pay \u2013 that’s federal law. But that doesn’t mean the treatment is free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you arrive at the ER, bring your insurance cards (health insurance, car insurance, everything). The hospital’s billing department will figure out which insurance should pay primary. Don’t worry about getting this perfect \u2013 you’re probably shaken up and maybe hurt. The important thing is getting treated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The hospital will typically bill your health insurance first if you have it. If you don’t have health insurance, they’ll often bill your PIP coverage directly. Some hospitals have financial assistance programs if you’re uninsured and meet certain income requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For injuries that aren’t life-threatening but still need prompt attention, urgent care centers can be a smart choice. They’re usually much cheaper than emergency rooms and often have shorter wait times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
La mayor\u00eda de los centros de atenci\u00f3n de urgencias aceptan seguros m\u00e9dicos y muchos tambi\u00e9n trabajan directamente con su compa\u00f1\u00eda de seguros de auto. Solo aseg\u00farese de informarles de antemano que sus lesiones son consecuencia de un accidente de auto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A veces conviene usar su cobertura MedPay o PIP de inmediato en lugar de su seguro m\u00e9dico. Este podr\u00eda ser el caso si:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The key is to be strategic about it. If you’ve got great health insurance with a low deductible, use that first. If your health insurance isn’t so great, your car insurance might be the better option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A lot of people don’t realize how their regular health insurance fits into the picture after a car accident. The truth is, your health insurance can be your best friend in this situation \u2013 if you know how to use it properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A las compa\u00f1\u00edas de seguros les encanta jugar a la papa caliente con las reclamaciones, intentando que la otra pague primero. Entender qui\u00e9n paga primero y qui\u00e9n paga despu\u00e9s de que el seguro principal haya pagado puede evitarle mucha confusi\u00f3n.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
En Colorado, su seguro m\u00e9dico suele ser el principal responsable de las lesiones causadas por accidentes, incluso si tiene cobertura PIP. Esto, de hecho, le beneficia porque las aseguradoras han negociado tarifas mucho m\u00e1s bajas con m\u00e9dicos y hospitales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let’s say you need an MRI that costs $3,000. Your health insurance might have a negotiated rate of $800 for the same MRI. You save $2,200 right off the bat, which means your PIP coverage will last longer for other expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you have multiple types of insurance that could cover the same claim, they have to coordinate benefits. This prevents you from getting paid twice for the same expense (which would be nice, but unfortunately doesn’t happen).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here’s typically how it works after a car accident:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
El proceso de coordinaci\u00f3n de beneficios puede llevar alg\u00fan tiempo, pero generalmente resulta a su favor porque le ayuda a aprovechar al m\u00e1ximo su cobertura.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here’s where things get a bit tricky. When your health insurance pays for accident-related medical bills, they don’t just eat the cost. They have what’s called subrogation rights, which means they can get reimbursed from any settlement or judgment you receive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let’s say your health insurance pays $15,000 for your medical treatment, and later you settle your case for $50,000. Your health insurance company can claim some of that settlement money to reimburse themselves for what they paid out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But don’t panic \u2013 this isn’t necessarily as bad as it sounds. Many health insurance companies will negotiate their subrogation claim, especially if it would leave you with very little money after paying attorney fees and other costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have an HMO, you’ll need to work within their network and get referrals for specialists. This can slow things down a bit, but HMOs often have lower out-of-pocket costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PPO plans give you more flexibility to see specialists without referrals, which can be helpful if you need to see multiple doctors for your injuries. You’ll pay more out of pocket, but you might get faster access to the care you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Either way, make sure your doctors know your injuries are from a car accident. Some doctors prefer not to treat car accident patients because of insurance complications, but most will work with you if you’re upfront about the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When someone else causes your accident, their insurance company becomes responsible for your medical bills and other damages. But getting them to pay isn’t always straightforward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every driver in Colorado must carry at least $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, with a total of $50,000 per accident. But let’s be real \u2013 $25,000 doesn’t go very far when you’re dealing with serious injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’re hit by someone with minimum coverage and your medical bills alone are $40,000, you’ve got a problem. The at-fault driver’s insurance will only pay up to their policy limits, leaving you to figure out how to cover the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is why having good insurance yourself is so important. Your underinsured motorist coverage can pick up where the at-fault driver’s coverage leaves off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The at-fault driver’s insurance company won’t just start paying your bills immediately. First, they have to accept liability (admit their driver was at fault), and then they’ll want to see all your medical records and bills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This process can take weeks or even months. In the meantime, you still need medical treatment. This is why your own PIP coverage and health insurance are so valuable \u2013 they pay for treatment while you’re waiting for the other insurance company to sort things out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once the at-fault driver’s insurance accepts the claim, they’ll typically pay your medical providers directly or reimburse you for bills you’ve already paid. But they’ll only pay what they consider “reasonable and necessary” for your treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Insurance adjusters aren’t your friends, even when they’re super nice on the phone. Their job is to save their company money, which means paying you as little as possible for your claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When dealing with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, remember:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the adjuster is pressuring you to settle quickly or telling you that you don’t need a lawyer, that’s usually a red flag. Take your time and make sure you understand what you’re agreeing to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Toda p\u00f3liza de seguro tiene l\u00edmites: la cantidad m\u00e1xima que la aseguradora pagar\u00e1 por un reclamo. Estos l\u00edmites pueden tener un gran impacto en su caso.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let’s say the at-fault driver has a $25,000 bodily injury policy, but your medical bills are $30,000 and you’ve lost $10,000 in wages. The insurance company will only pay $25,000 total, leaving you short $15,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might be able to sue the at-fault driver personally for the remaining amount, but if they don’t have significant assets, you might never collect. This is another reason why having good underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy is so important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I get it \u2013 car insurance is expensive, and sometimes people take the risk of driving without coverage. But if you’re in an accident without insurance, you’ve got limited options, and none of them are great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First, let’s talk about what you’re facing legally. In Colorado, driving without insurance can result in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Si usted causa un accidente sin seguro, podr\u00eda ser personalmente responsable de todos los da\u00f1os, que podr\u00edan incluir facturas m\u00e9dicas, da\u00f1os a la propiedad, salarios perdidos y dolor y sufrimiento de todos los involucrados.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even without insurance, you can’t be turned away from an emergency room if you have a medical emergency. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) requires hospitals to stabilize patients regardless of their ability to pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But “stabilize” doesn’t mean “fully treat.” Once you’re stable, the hospital can discharge you and expect you to find other arrangements for ongoing care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many hospitals have charity care programs for uninsured patients who meet certain income requirements. Don’t be embarrassed to ask about these programs \u2013 hospitals would rather get something than nothing, and they get tax benefits for providing charity care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) provide medical care on a sliding fee scale based on your income. Denver has several of these centers, and they can be a lifeline if you’re uninsured and need ongoing medical care after an accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These centers can’t provide emergency care, but they can handle follow-up treatment, prescription medications, and referrals to specialists who also work on sliding fee scales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some doctors and hospitals will treat uninsured car accident patients on a lien basis. This means they’ll provide treatment now and get paid later from any settlement or judgment you receive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Medical liens can be helpful because they allow you to get necessary treatment without paying upfront. But they can also be expensive \u2013 doctors who work on liens often charge higher rates because they’re taking the risk that they might not get paid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’re considering treatment on a lien basis, make sure you understand:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’re uninsured, be upfront with medical providers about your situation. Many doctors’ offices and hospitals would rather work out a payment plan than turn you away completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Preguntar por:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don’t just ignore medical bills if you can’t pay them. Medical debt can hurt your credit score and result in wage garnishment or liens against your property. It’s better to communicate with providers and work out something you can afford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Medical liens are a common way for car accident victims to get treatment when they can’t pay upfront or when insurance coverage is complicated. But they’re not always the best option, and you need to understand how they work before agreeing to one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Un gravamen m\u00e9dico es b\u00e1sicamente un pagar\u00e9 a su m\u00e9dico u hospital. Ellos le brindan tratamiento ahora y usted se compromete a reembolsarles cualquier indemnizaci\u00f3n o sentencia que reciba por su accidente de auto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
El gravamen otorga al proveedor m\u00e9dico el derecho legal de recibir el pago de su acuerdo antes de que usted reciba cualquier dinero. Por lo tanto, si resuelve su caso por $50,000 y tiene $15,000 en grav\u00e1menes m\u00e9dicos, los acreedores recibir\u00e1n el pago primero y usted recibir\u00e1 los $35,000 restantes (menos honorarios de abogados y otros costos).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Medical liens are recorded with the court or your attorney, so you can’t settle your case without addressing them. This protects the medical providers but also means you can’t just walk away from the debt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Existen varios tipos de grav\u00e1menes m\u00e9dicos que podr\u00eda encontrar:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grav\u00e1menes hospitalarios<\/strong> Los hospitales presentan reclamaciones por atenci\u00f3n de emergencia. En Colorado, los hospitales pueden presentar grav\u00e1menes contra su propiedad o su indemnizaci\u00f3n por atenci\u00f3n de emergencia no pagada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grav\u00e1menes de abogados<\/strong> Esto ocurre cuando su abogado lo deriva a m\u00e9dicos que aceptan tratarlo con un derecho de retenci\u00f3n. El abogado generalmente garantiza el pago de cualquier acuerdo, lo que aumenta la disposici\u00f3n de los m\u00e9dicos a brindar tratamiento.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grav\u00e1menes legales<\/strong> Se crean por ley. Por ejemplo, su compa\u00f1\u00eda de seguros m\u00e9dicos podr\u00eda tener un derecho de retenci\u00f3n legal para recuperar lo pagado por su tratamiento relacionado con el accidente.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grav\u00e1menes contractuales<\/strong> Se crean mediante acuerdo. Usted firma un contrato en el que acepta que el proveedor m\u00e9dico puede gravar cualquier acuerdo que reciba.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s something most people don’t know: medical liens are often negotiable. Just because a doctor charges $10,000 for treatment doesn’t mean you have to pay the full $10,000 from your settlement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your settlement is small or if paying the full lien amount would leave you with very little money, your attorney can often negotiate the lien down to a lower amount. Medical providers would rather get something than risk getting nothing if you can’t pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Factores que ayudan en las negociaciones de grav\u00e1menes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Los grav\u00e1menes m\u00e9dicos pueden ser \u00fatiles, pero conllevan riesgos:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Costos m\u00e1s altos<\/strong>: Doctors who work on liens often charge higher rates because they’re taking the risk of not getting paid immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fondos de liquidaci\u00f3n limitados<\/strong>: The more you owe in liens, the less money you’ll receive from your settlement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Presi\u00f3n de tratamiento<\/strong>: Some doctors who work primarily on liens might recommend more treatment than you actually need because they know they’ll get paid from your settlement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sin garant\u00eda<\/strong>: If you don’t win your case or receive a settlement, you might still owe the full amount of the lien.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Antes de aceptar un tratamiento sobre la base de un derecho de retenci\u00f3n, considere otras opciones:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utilice su seguro de salud<\/strong> Si lo tiene. Incluso si su compa\u00f1\u00eda de seguros m\u00e9dicos tiene derechos de subrogaci\u00f3n, generalmente ofrece tarifas negociadas m\u00e1s bajas que las de los proveedores de grav\u00e1menes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Planes de pago<\/strong> with medical providers often cost less than liens and don’t tie up your settlement money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tarjetas de cr\u00e9dito m\u00e9dicas<\/strong> Al igual que CareCredit, ofrece financiamiento promocional para gastos m\u00e9dicos, a veces con un inter\u00e9s del 0% para pacientes calificados.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Programas de atenci\u00f3n ben\u00e9fica<\/strong> En los hospitales y centros de salud comunitarios podemos brindar atenci\u00f3n gratuita o de bajo costo seg\u00fan sus ingresos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting the right medical treatment after a car accident isn’t just about your health \u2013 it’s also about documenting your injuries for your insurance claim. How you handle your medical care can make a big difference in both your recovery and your compensation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not all doctors are created equal when it comes to car accident cases. Some doctors love treating car accident patients, while others run the other way. Here’s what you need to know about finding the right medical care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n m\u00e9dicos de urgencias<\/strong> are great for immediate, life-threatening injuries, but they’re not going to provide ongoing care or detailed documentation for your case. They’ll stabilize you and send you on your way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n m\u00e9dicos de atenci\u00f3n primaria<\/strong> Son \u00fatiles para la evaluaci\u00f3n inicial y la derivaci\u00f3n a especialistas. Conocen su historial m\u00e9dico y pueden documentar c\u00f3mo el accidente afect\u00f3 su salud general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n cirujanos ortop\u00e9dicos<\/strong> specialize in bones, joints, and muscles. If you have back, neck, or limb injuries, you’ll probably need to see an orthopedist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n neur\u00f3logos<\/strong> handle brain and nerve injuries. If you have a concussion or any neurological symptoms, don’t skip this referral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Especialistas en el manejo del dolor<\/strong> Pueden ayudar con el dolor cr\u00f3nico causado por sus lesiones. Tambi\u00e9n proporcionan documentaci\u00f3n detallada sobre c\u00f3mo el dolor afecta su vida diaria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n fisioterapeutas<\/strong> Te ayudan a recuperar fuerza y movilidad. Tambi\u00e9n documentan tu progreso (o la falta de \u00e9l) a lo largo del tiempo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your medical records are the foundation of your injury claim. Insurance companies don’t just take your word for it that you’re hurt \u2013 they want to see detailed medical documentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aseg\u00farese de que sus m\u00e9dicos est\u00e9n documentando:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don’t downplay your symptoms when talking to doctors. If your back hurts, say so. If you’re having trouble sleeping, mention it. If you can’t lift your kids like you used to, tell your doctor. These details matter for both your treatment and your case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don’t try to tough it out if you’re having symptoms. Insurance companies love to argue that you weren’t really hurt if you didn’t seek appropriate medical treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your primary care doctor recommends physical therapy, go to physical therapy. If they refer you to a specialist, see the specialist. Following your doctor’s treatment plan shows that you’re taking your injuries seriously and trying to get better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the flip side, don’t go overboard with treatment you don’t really need. Insurance companies also watch for people who seem to be milking their injuries with excessive or unnecessary treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n El tratamiento m\u00e9dico es costoso y los costos pueden acumularse r\u00e1pidamente despu\u00e9s de un accidente. Aqu\u00ed hay algunas estrategias para gestionar esos costos:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pregunte por descuentos en efectivo<\/strong>:Muchos proveedores ofrecen descuentos si paga en efectivo por adelantado en lugar de facturar el seguro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Obtener estimaciones de costos<\/strong>:Antes de aceptar procedimientos costosos, solicite estimaciones de costos y averig\u00fce qu\u00e9 cubrir\u00e1 su seguro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Utilice proveedores dentro de la red<\/strong>: If you’re using your health insurance, staying in-network can save you thousands of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Medicamentos gen\u00e9ricos<\/strong>:Preg\u00fantele a su m\u00e9dico si hay versiones gen\u00e9ricas disponibles de los medicamentos recetados.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Compare precios<\/strong>Los precios de servicios como resonancias magn\u00e9ticas y tomograf\u00edas computarizadas pueden variar considerablemente entre proveedores. Vale la pena consultar precios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion, especially if a doctor is recommending surgery or very expensive treatment. Insurance companies actually like to see that you’ve gotten a second opinion because it shows you’re being reasonable about your treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Una segunda opini\u00f3n tambi\u00e9n puede fortalecer su caso si ambos m\u00e9dicos coinciden en su diagn\u00f3stico y plan de tratamiento. Si no est\u00e1n de acuerdo, podr\u00eda evitarle un tratamiento innecesario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes insurance companies don’t play fair. They might delay processing your claim, deny legitimate expenses, or pressure you to settle for less than your case is worth. When this happens, you might have a bad faith claim against the insurance company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n La mala fe en las aseguradoras puede manifestarse de diversas maneras. Aqu\u00ed hay algunas se\u00f1ales de alerta a las que prestar atenci\u00f3n:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Retrasos irrazonables<\/strong>:Tomar meses para investigar una reclamaci\u00f3n sencilla o pedir repetidamente la misma documentaci\u00f3n.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ofertas bajas<\/strong>:Ofrecer acuerdos que son obviamente inadecuados en comparaci\u00f3n con sus facturas m\u00e9dicas y otros da\u00f1os.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Negaci\u00f3n sin investigaci\u00f3n<\/strong>:Negar su reclamo sin investigar adecuadamente los hechos o revisar sus registros m\u00e9dicos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tergiversar el lenguaje de las pol\u00edticas<\/strong>: Telling you that something isn’t covered when it actually is, or misinterpreting the terms of your policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Falta de comunicaci\u00f3n<\/strong>: Not returning your calls, not responding to your attorney’s letters, or failing to keep you informed about the status of your claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Exigir documentaci\u00f3n innecesaria<\/strong>:Solicitar registros m\u00e9dicos que no tengan nada que ver con sus lesiones por accidente.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Como asegurado, usted tiene ciertos derechos al tratar con su compa\u00f1\u00eda de seguros:<\/p>\n\n\n\n El derecho a una investigaci\u00f3n r\u00e1pida<\/strong>Su compa\u00f1\u00eda de seguros debe investigar su reclamo de manera r\u00e1pida y exhaustiva.<\/p>\n\n\n\n El derecho a un trato justo<\/strong>:Deben manejar su reclamo de buena fe y tratarlo de manera justa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n El derecho a la comunicaci\u00f3n<\/strong>:Deben mantenerle razonablemente informado sobre el estado de su reclamo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n El derecho a la cobertura<\/strong>:Si su reclamo est\u00e1 cubierto por su p\u00f3liza, deben pagarlo de acuerdo con los t\u00e9rminos de la p\u00f3liza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n El derecho a apelar<\/strong>:Si niegan su reclamo, usted tiene derecho a apelar su decisi\u00f3n y recibir una explicaci\u00f3n de por qu\u00e9 fue denegado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dealing with the at-fault driver’s insurance company can be even more frustrating than dealing with your own insurance. They don’t owe you the same duties as your own insurance company, but they still can’t act in bad faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Problemas comunes con compa\u00f1\u00edas de seguros de terceros:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember, the other driver’s insurance company is not on your side. Their goal is to pay as little as possible for your claim. Don’t take their word for anything \u2013 verify everything and consider hiring an attorney if they’re not being reasonable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A veces, la \u00fanica manera de obtener un trato justo por parte de una compa\u00f1\u00eda de seguros es presentar una demanda. Podr\u00eda considerar emprender acciones legales si:<\/p>\n\n\n\n At McCormick & Murphy, P.C., we’ve been dealing with insurance bad faith cases since 1995. We know the games insurance companies play, and we know how to fight back. If you think your insurance company isn’t treating you fairly, give us a call at (888)-668-1182 for a free consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I know what you’re thinking \u2013 do I really need a lawyer for my car accident case? The answer depends on several factors, but there are definitely situations where trying to handle things yourself is a mistake that could cost you big time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A continuaci\u00f3n se presentan algunas situaciones en las que deber\u00eda considerar seriamente contratar a un abogado:<\/p>\n\n\n\n lesiones graves<\/strong>: If you’ve been hospitalized, had surgery, or have injuries that will affect you long-term, you need professional help. Insurance companies lowball these cases because they know most people don’t understand what their claim is really worth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Responsabilidad en disputa<\/strong>:Si el otro conductor o su compa\u00f1\u00eda de seguros afirman que usted tuvo la culpa (o fue parcialmente culpable), necesita a alguien que sepa c\u00f3mo investigar accidentes y construir un caso s\u00f3lido.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Varias partes involucradas<\/strong>: Multi-car accidents can be complicated, with multiple insurance companies all trying to blame each other. You don’t want to get caught in the middle of that mess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mala fe de la compa\u00f1\u00eda de seguros<\/strong>: If your own insurance company is giving you the runaround or the other driver’s insurance is acting unreasonably, an attorney can put pressure on them to do the right thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Facturas m\u00e9dicas importantes<\/strong>: If your medical bills are more than $10,000 or so, the insurance company’s settlement offer might not fully compensate you. An attorney can help ensure you get fair compensation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Salarios perdidos<\/strong>: If you’ve missed significant time from work, calculating your wage loss claim can be complicated, especially if you’re self-employed or work on commission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Una de las mayores ventajas de contratar a un abogado con experiencia en lesiones personales es que puede ayudarle a administrar sus facturas m\u00e9dicas y asegurarse de que reciba el tratamiento que necesita.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s how it typically works: Your attorney will have relationships with medical providers who will treat you on a lien basis. This means you can get treatment now and the providers will wait to be paid from your settlement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Su abogado tambi\u00e9n negociar\u00e1 con los acreedores prendarios para reducir su deuda. Si sus grav\u00e1menes m\u00e9dicos ascienden a $20,000, pero su acuerdo es de solo $50,000, su abogado podr\u00eda negociar una reducci\u00f3n de los grav\u00e1menes a $12,000, lo que le dejar\u00eda con m\u00e1s dinero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adem\u00e1s, si su compa\u00f1\u00eda de seguros m\u00e9dicos tiene una reclamaci\u00f3n de subrogaci\u00f3n, su abogado tambi\u00e9n puede negociar con ellos. Las compa\u00f1\u00edas de seguros m\u00e9dicos suelen aceptar reducir sus reclamaciones de subrogaci\u00f3n, especialmente si esto le ayuda a recuperarse de sus lesiones y a reincorporarse al trabajo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only get paid if they win your case. This is great for clients because it means you can get quality legal representation even if you can’t afford to pay attorney fees upfront.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At McCormick & Murphy, P.C., we handle most personal injury claims on a contingent fee basis. If there’s no recovery through settlement or judgment, there’s no fee. This aligns our interests with yours \u2013 we only get paid if we get you a good result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Los honorarios de contingencia suelen ser un porcentaje de su acuerdo o sentencia. Aunque pueda parecer mucho, los estudios demuestran que quienes contratan abogados suelen recibir mucho m\u00e1s dinero que quienes se representan a s\u00ed mismos, incluso despu\u00e9s de pagar los honorarios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Un buen abogado de lesiones personales debe:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Investiga tu accidente<\/strong> exhaustivamente, incluyendo la obtenci\u00f3n de informes policiales, entrevistas a testigos y contrataci\u00f3n de expertos si es necesario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Manejar toda la comunicaci\u00f3n<\/strong> with insurance companies so you don’t have to deal with adjusters trying to trick you into saying something that hurts your case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aseg\u00farese de recibir el tratamiento m\u00e9dico adecuado<\/strong> deriv\u00e1ndolo a m\u00e9dicos apropiados y ayud\u00e1ndolo a organizar el tratamiento sobre la base de un derecho de retenci\u00f3n, si es necesario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Documente todos sus da\u00f1os<\/strong>, incluidas facturas m\u00e9dicas, salarios perdidos, dolor y sufrimiento y cualquier efecto a largo plazo de sus lesiones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Negociar agresivamente<\/strong> con compa\u00f1\u00edas de seguros para conseguirle el mejor acuerdo posible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prep\u00e1rese para ir a juicio<\/strong> if the insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mant\u00e9ngase informado<\/strong> about what’s happening with your case and explain your options in plain English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not all personal injury attorneys are the same. Here’s what to look for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Experiencia<\/strong>Busque abogados que hayan manejado casos de lesiones personales durante a\u00f1os, no alguien que se meta en todo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Historial de trayectoria<\/strong>:Pregunte sobre sus acuerdos y veredictos recientes en casos similares al suyo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recursos<\/strong>:Aseg\u00farese de que tengan los recursos para investigar adecuadamente su caso y contratar expertos si es necesario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Comunicaci\u00f3n<\/strong>:Usted quiere un abogado que le devuelva las llamadas y le mantenga informado sobre su caso.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Conocimiento local<\/strong>Las leyes de Colorado son diferentes a las de otros estados, as\u00ed que aseg\u00farese de que su abogado conozca las leyes de Colorado y las pr\u00e1cticas aqu\u00ed regularmente.<\/p>\n\n\n\n McCormick & Murphy, P.C. has been specializing in personal injury and insurance bad faith cases since 1995. With over 60 years of combined legal experience, we bring specialized knowledge and extensive accomplishments to every case. We’ve been admitted to practice in Colorado state and federal courts, and we understand the challenges clients and their families face following a personal injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perm\u00edtanme explicarles algunos casos reales para que vean c\u00f3mo funciona el pago de facturas m\u00e9dicas en la pr\u00e1ctica. Este tipo de situaciones las veo constantemente, y comprenderlas puede ayudarles a evitar errores costosos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sarah gets rear-ended at a red light. It doesn’t seem like a big deal \u2013 just some minor damage to her bumper. She exchanges information with the other driver and goes home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dos d\u00edas despu\u00e9s, Sarah se despierta con rigidez en el cuello y dolor de cabeza. Acude a urgencias, donde le diagnostican latigazo cervical y le recetan relajantes musculares y analg\u00e9sicos. La visita cuesta $400.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sarah usa su seguro m\u00e9dico para pagar la consulta, con un copago de $50. Su seguro m\u00e9dico paga los $350 restantes. Durante las siguientes semanas, asiste a fisioterapia seis veces a $150 por sesi\u00f3n, por un total de $900. Su seguro m\u00e9dico tambi\u00e9n cubre esto, con un copago de $25 por cada consulta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Facturas m\u00e9dicas totales: $1,300 Sarah files a claim with the other driver’s insurance company. They offer her $2,500 to settle her claim. After her attorney negotiates, she settles for $4,000. Her health insurance company has a subrogation claim for the $1,100 they paid, but they agree to accept $800 in settlement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sarah’s final recovery: $4,000 – $800 (health insurance subrogation) – $1,333 (attorney fees at 33.3%) = $1,867, plus she gets back the $200 she paid out of pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mike is in a head-on collision and suffers a broken leg, broken ribs, and a concussion. He’s taken by ambulance to the hospital, where he stays for four days. His total medical bills come to $85,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mike has health insurance with a $5,000 deductible and PIP coverage of $50,000. Here’s how his bills get paid:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Su seguro m\u00e9dico paga $80,000 (los $85,000 en facturas menos su deducible de $5,000). Mike paga el deducible de $5,000 de su bolsillo, pero su cobertura PIP le reembolsa esta cantidad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mike tambi\u00e9n pierde tres meses de trabajo, con una p\u00e9rdida de $15,000 en salarios. Su cobertura PIP le paga $12,000 por salarios perdidos (el PIP solo cubre 60% de salarios perdidos hasta ciertos l\u00edmites).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The at-fault driver has $100,000 in liability coverage. Mike’s attorney negotiates a settlement for the full policy limits. Here’s how the $100,000 gets distributed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mike tambi\u00e9n presenta una reclamaci\u00f3n bajo su cobertura contra conductores con seguro insuficiente por $50,000 (la diferencia entre sus da\u00f1os y lo que recuper\u00f3 del conductor culpable). Esto le da $16,667 adicionales despu\u00e9s de los honorarios de los abogados.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recuperaci\u00f3n total para Mike: $23,334, adem\u00e1s de pagar sus facturas m\u00e9dicas y recibir $12,000 en reemplazo de salario de PIP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mar\u00eda conduce sin seguro (ya lo s\u00e9, ya lo s\u00e9, pero pasa) cuando un conductor ebrio la atropella. Se fractura la mu\u00f1eca y necesita cirug\u00eda. Sus gastos m\u00e9dicos ascienden a $35,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n El conductor ebrio tiene seguro y su compa\u00f1\u00eda asume la responsabilidad. Sin embargo, Mar\u00eda enfrenta algunos desaf\u00edos por no tener seguro:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mar\u00eda encuentra un abogado que la deriva a un cirujano ortop\u00e9dico dispuesto a tratarla con un derecho de retenci\u00f3n. El cirujano realiza la cirug\u00eda necesaria y le proporciona atenci\u00f3n de seguimiento.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The drunk driver’s insurance company offers Maria $45,000 to settle her case. After negotiation, they agree to pay $60,000. Here’s how it breaks down:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mar\u00eda tambi\u00e9n tiene que lidiar con las sanciones por conducir sin seguro, incluyendo multas y la suspensi\u00f3n de la licencia. El costo total de no tener seguro en este caso fue probablemente de alrededor de $15,000, considerando los mayores costos m\u00e9dicos (los proveedores de grav\u00e1menes suelen cobrar m\u00e1s) y las sanciones legales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n David es atropellado por un conductor que huye del lugar. Llama al 911 y la polic\u00eda acude, pero nunca encuentra al otro conductor. David presenta lesiones moderadas: una hernia discal en la espalda que requiere fisioterapia e inyecciones de esteroides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since there’s no at-fault driver to pursue, David has to rely on his own insurance coverage. He has:<\/p>\n\n\n\n David’s medical treatment costs $15,000 over six months. His health insurance pays $12,500, and David pays the $2,500 deductible. His PIP coverage reimburses him for the deductible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n David tambi\u00e9n pierde seis semanas de trabajo, con una p\u00e9rdida de $6,000 en salario. Su PIP cubre $3,600 de esta cantidad (60% de su salario perdido).<\/p>\n\n\n\n David presenta una reclamaci\u00f3n por conducir sin seguro a su propia aseguradora por dolor y sufrimiento, adem\u00e1s de los salarios no cubiertos por la PIP. Su aseguradora ofrece $20,000, que David acepta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recuperaci\u00f3n total: $20,000 de cobertura para automovilistas sin seguro, m\u00e1s $15,000 en facturas m\u00e9dicas pagadas y $3,600 en reemplazo de salario de PIP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n David’s health insurance company waives their subrogation claim because the settlement is relatively small and David is their insured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lisa es atropellada por un cami\u00f3n de reparto mientras el conductor realizaba entregas. Sufre graves lesiones en la espalda, lo que requiere cirug\u00eda y fisioterapia intensiva. Sus gastos m\u00e9dicos ascienden a 150.000 T\/T.<\/p>\n\n\n\n La empresa de transporte tiene una cobertura de responsabilidad civil comercial de $1 millones. Lisa tiene seguro m\u00e9dico y una cobertura PIP de $50,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lisa’s health insurance pays most of her medical bills, with negotiated rates bringing the actual payments down to $90,000. Lisa pays $5,000 out of pocket for deductibles and copays, which her PIP coverage reimburses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lisa can’t work for eight months, losing $60,000 in income. Her PIP pays her $12,000 in wage replacement, and her short-term disability insurance covers another $20,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lisa’s attorney negotiates a settlement of $450,000 with the trucking company’s insurance. Here’s the breakdown:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lisa tambi\u00e9n recibe $12,000 de PIP para reemplazo de salario y se le reembolsan sus gastos m\u00e9dicos de bolsillo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This case shows why it’s important to carry adequate insurance coverage yourself \u2013 even when the other driver has good insurance, having your own PIP and health insurance makes a huge difference in how quickly you can get treatment and how much money you ultimately receive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting the most money possible from your car accident claim isn’t just about being greedy \u2013 it’s about making sure you’re fully compensated for all the ways the accident has affected your life. Insurance companies are notorious for trying to settle claims quickly and cheaply, so you need to know how to protect yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n La primera regla para maximizar tu recuperaci\u00f3n es llevar un registro de todo. Y me refiero a todo. Las compa\u00f1\u00edas de seguros intentar\u00e1n sacarte el m\u00e1ximo provecho de cada gasto, as\u00ed que necesitas tener documentaci\u00f3n s\u00f3lida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Facturas y recibos m\u00e9dicos<\/strong>:Guarde copias de todas las facturas m\u00e9dicas, recibos de recetas y recibos de equipos m\u00e9dicos como muletas, aparatos ortop\u00e9dicos o bolsas de hielo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Registros de kilometraje<\/strong>: Lleve un registro de las millas recorridas para ir y volver de sus citas m\u00e9dicas. Generalmente, puede recuperar el kilometraje con la tarifa est\u00e1ndar del IRS (actualmente, unos 65 centavos por milla).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recibos de estacionamiento<\/strong>: If you have to pay for parking at the hospital or doctor’s office, keep those receipts too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Medicamentos de venta libre<\/strong>:Guarde los recibos de compras de art\u00edculos como Tylenol, Advil, almohadillas t\u00e9rmicas u otros art\u00edculos que compre para aliviar sus lesiones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Modificaciones en el hogar<\/strong>:Si tiene que instalar barras de apoyo en su ducha o comprar una silla de ducha debido a sus lesiones, esos costos pueden ser parte de su reclamo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Equipo m\u00e9dico<\/strong>:Sillas de ruedas, andadores, aparatos ortop\u00e9dicos para la espalda: todo lo recetado por su m\u00e9dico debe documentarse e incluirse en su reclamo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the biggest mistakes people make is settling their case before they know the full extent of their injuries and future medical needs. Once you settle, that’s it \u2013 you can’t come back later for more money if your injuries turn out to be worse than expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Obtenga un pron\u00f3stico de su m\u00e9dico<\/strong>: Ask your doctor whether you’ll need future medical treatment, and if so, what kind and how much it might cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Considere una cirug\u00eda futura<\/strong>: Sometimes doctors take a “wait and see” approach, hoping that conservative treatment will work. But if there’s a chance you’ll need surgery later, that needs to be factored into your settlement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fisioterapia continua<\/strong>\u00bfNecesitar\u00e1 fisioterapia indefinidamente? \u00bfCu\u00e1nto costar\u00e1 a lo largo de su vida?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Medicamentos recetados<\/strong>: If you’ll be taking pain medication or other prescriptions long-term, calculate what that will cost over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reemplazo de equipo m\u00e9dico<\/strong>Las sillas de ruedas, los aparatos ortop\u00e9dicos y otros equipos se desgastan y es necesario reemplazarlos peri\u00f3dicamente.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pain and suffering is often the largest component of a car accident settlement, but it’s also the hardest to calculate. There’s no formula that says a broken leg is worth X dollars \u2013 it depends on many factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gravedad de las lesiones<\/strong>:Las lesiones m\u00e1s graves generalmente dan lugar a indemnizaciones mayores por dolor y sufrimiento.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Duraci\u00f3n de la recuperaci\u00f3n<\/strong>Las lesiones que tardan meses o a\u00f1os en sanar valen m\u00e1s que las lesiones que sanan r\u00e1pidamente.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Impacto en las actividades diarias<\/strong>:Si sus lesiones le impiden practicar deportes, recoger a sus hijos o disfrutar de sus pasatiempos, eso afecta su reclamo por dolor y sufrimiento.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Efectos permanentes<\/strong>:Cualquier cicatriz, discapacidad o limitaci\u00f3n permanente aumenta significativamente el valor de su reclamo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Edad<\/strong>:Las personas m\u00e1s j\u00f3venes generalmente reciben indemnizaciones mayores porque tienen que vivir con sus lesiones durante m\u00e1s tiempo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Credibilidad<\/strong>: If you’re likeable and believable, juries tend to award more money. If you come across as someone who’s trying to milk the system, your award will be lower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The quality of your medical treatment and documentation can make or break your case. Here’s how to work effectively with your medical team:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sea honesto acerca de sus s\u00edntomas<\/strong>: Don’t exaggerate, but don’t downplay your pain either. If it hurts, say so. If you’re having trouble sleeping, tell your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Siga las recomendaciones del tratamiento<\/strong>: If your doctor recommends physical therapy, go to physical therapy. If they prescribe medication, take it as directed. Insurance companies look for gaps in treatment to argue that you weren’t really hurt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hacer las cuestiones<\/strong>Aseg\u00farese de comprender su diagn\u00f3stico, pron\u00f3stico y plan de tratamiento. P\u00eddale a su m\u00e9dico que le explique c\u00f3mo sus lesiones podr\u00edan afectarle en el futuro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Obtenga referencias cuando sea necesario<\/strong>: Don’t try to tough it out if you’re still having problems. See specialists when your doctor recommends them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Limitaciones funcionales del documento<\/strong>D\u00edgale a su m\u00e9dico espec\u00edficamente c\u00f3mo sus lesiones afectan sus actividades diarias. \u00bfPuede todav\u00eda levantar a sus hijos? \u00bfPuede dormir toda la noche? \u00bfPuede sentarse en un escritorio durante ocho horas?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Las compa\u00f1\u00edas de seguros cuentan con que las personas cometan errores que reducen el valor de sus reclamaciones. Aqu\u00ed hay algunas trampas comunes que se deben evitar:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Conformarse demasiado r\u00e1pido<\/strong>: Don’t accept the first settlement offer, and don’t settle before you know the full extent of your injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No considerando todos los da\u00f1os<\/strong>Aseg\u00farese de que su acuerdo cubra facturas m\u00e9dicas, salarios perdidos, dolor y sufrimiento, y costos m\u00e9dicos futuros.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Olvidando los grav\u00e1menes<\/strong>:Antes de llegar a un acuerdo, aseg\u00farese de conocer todos los grav\u00e1menes m\u00e9dicos y reclamos de subrogaci\u00f3n contra su acuerdo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No leer el acuerdo de conciliaci\u00f3n<\/strong>: Settlement agreements often contain language that could affect your rights. Make sure you understand what you’re signing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hablar con ajustadores de seguros sin representaci\u00f3n<\/strong>Los ajustadores de seguros est\u00e1n capacitados para convencerlo de decir cosas que perjudiquen su caso. Deje que su abogado se encargue de estas conversaciones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Publicar en redes sociales<\/strong>: Insurance companies regularly check social media accounts of claimants. Don’t post pictures of yourself doing activities that contradict your injury claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n En casos de lesiones graves, los peritos pueden marcar una gran diferencia en el valor de su reclamaci\u00f3n. Estos son algunos tipos de peritos que podr\u00edan ser \u00fatiles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n expertos m\u00e9dicos<\/strong>:M\u00e9dicos que puedan explicar sus lesiones, tratamiento y pron\u00f3stico a un jurado en t\u00e9rminos que puedan entender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n expertos econ\u00f3micos<\/strong>:Economistas que pueden calcular su capacidad de ingresos perdida si sus lesiones afectan su capacidad para trabajar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Planificadores de cuidados de vida<\/strong>:Profesionales que pueden estimar el costo de su atenci\u00f3n m\u00e9dica futura y sus necesidades de vida diaria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Expertos en reconstrucci\u00f3n de accidentes<\/strong>:Ingenieros que puedan analizar el accidente y explicar c\u00f3mo ocurri\u00f3 y qui\u00e9n tuvo la culpa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Expertos en rehabilitaci\u00f3n vocacional<\/strong>: Professionals who can assess whether you’ll be able to return to your previous job or need retraining for different work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Los testigos expertos son costosos, pero en casos que involucran lesiones graves, a menudo se amortizan al aumentar significativamente el monto del acuerdo o del veredicto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Esta es probablemente la parte m\u00e1s confusa de los casos de accidentes de tr\u00e1fico para la mayor\u00eda de las personas. Se llega a un acuerdo por lo que parece una buena cantidad de dinero, y luego se descubre que varias entidades tienen reclamaciones contra el acuerdo. Comprender los grav\u00e1menes y la subrogaci\u00f3n puede ayudarle a planificar mejor y evitar sorpresas desagradables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grav\u00e1menes hospitalarios<\/strong>: Colorado law allows hospitals to place liens on your settlement for emergency treatment provided within 72 hours of your accident. These liens are automatic \u2013 the hospital doesn’t need your permission to file them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grav\u00e1menes de proveedores m\u00e9dicos<\/strong>Los m\u00e9dicos, fisioterapeutas y otros profesionales de la salud que lo atienden con derecho de retenci\u00f3n tienen derechos contractuales sobre su acuerdo. Usted firm\u00f3 un acuerdo que les otorga este derecho.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subrogaci\u00f3n del seguro de salud<\/strong>Su compa\u00f1\u00eda de seguro m\u00e9dico tiene derecho a recibir un reembolso de su indemnizaci\u00f3n por las facturas m\u00e9dicas que pag\u00f3 en relaci\u00f3n con su accidente.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Workers’ compensation liens<\/strong>: If your accident happened while you were working, workers’ comp might have a lien for benefits they paid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grav\u00e1menes de Medicare\/Medicaid<\/strong>Los programas de salud del gobierno tienen derechos de retenci\u00f3n muy fuertes y pueden ser dif\u00edciles de negociar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grav\u00e1menes de abogados<\/strong>Su abogado tiene un derecho de retenci\u00f3n sobre su acuerdo por sus honorarios y costos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s some good news: most liens are negotiable. Lien holders would rather get something than risk getting nothing if you can’t pay the full amount.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Factores que ayudan en las negociaciones:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Negociaciones de subrogaci\u00f3n del seguro de salud<\/strong>:Las compa\u00f1\u00edas de seguros de salud a menudo aceptan reducciones significativas en sus reclamaciones de subrogaci\u00f3n, especialmente si:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Negociaciones de grav\u00e1menes m\u00e9dicos<\/strong>Los proveedores m\u00e9dicos privados a menudo est\u00e1n dispuestos a negociar, especialmente si:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your health insurance company’s subrogation rights can be tricky because they vary depending on the type of insurance you have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Planes ERISA<\/strong> (Seguro m\u00e9dico proporcionado por el empleador): Estos planes tienen derechos de subrogaci\u00f3n muy s\u00f3lidos seg\u00fan la ley federal. A menudo pueden recuperar el monto total pagado, independientemente de si le deja suficiente dinero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Planes de seguro de salud individuales<\/strong>Estos planes se rigen por la ley estatal, que generalmente es m\u00e1s favorable para las partes lesionadas. Colorado cuenta con algunas protecciones que limitan la cantidad que las compa\u00f1\u00edas de seguros m\u00e9dicos pueden recuperar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Seguro m\u00e9dico del estado<\/strong>: Has very strong subrogation rights and can be difficult to negotiate with. Medicare also has the right to recover from future settlements if you don’t properly address their lien.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Seguro de enfermedad<\/strong>:Tambi\u00e9n tiene fuertes derechos de retenci\u00f3n, pero Colorado tiene algunas protecciones para los beneficiarios de Medicaid que pueden limitar la recuperaci\u00f3n en determinadas situaciones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Los programas de salud gubernamentales requieren un manejo especial porque tienen derechos m\u00e1s fuertes que las compa\u00f1\u00edas de seguros privadas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cuentas reservadas de Medicare<\/strong>: If you’re on Medicare and receive a settlement, you might need to set aside part of your settlement in a special account to pay for future accident-related medical care. This prevents you from using Medicare to pay for treatment that should be covered by your settlement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recuperaci\u00f3n del patrimonio de Medicaid<\/strong>Medicaid a veces puede recuperar de su patrimonio despu\u00e9s de su fallecimiento los beneficios que pag\u00f3 durante su vida. Esto puede afectar la forma en que estructura su indemnizaci\u00f3n.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Requisitos de informes<\/strong>Tanto Medicare como Medicaid tienen requisitos estrictos de informaci\u00f3n. Su abogado debe informar su acuerdo a estas agencias y abordar cualquier gravamen antes de que usted pueda recibir el dinero del acuerdo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Existen estrategias para proteger una mayor parte del dinero de su acuerdo frente a grav\u00e1menes y reclamos de subrogaci\u00f3n:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Argumentos de asignaci\u00f3n<\/strong>:Si su acuerdo cubre da\u00f1os m\u00e1s all\u00e1 de los gastos m\u00e9dicos (como dolor y sufrimiento o salarios perdidos), puede argumentar que los titulares del gravamen solo deber\u00edan recuperar la parte asignada a los gastos m\u00e9dicos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Honorarios compartidos de abogados<\/strong>: Some lien holders can be required to pay a portion of your attorney fees since the attorney helped recover the money they’re claiming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Doctrina del fondo com\u00fan<\/strong>: In some cases, lien holders have to contribute to the attorney fees that helped create the fund they’re recovering from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Negociaciones por dificultades<\/strong>:Si pagar el monto total del gravamen le impide satisfacer sus necesidades b\u00e1sicas, algunos titulares de grav\u00e1menes aceptar\u00e1n pagos reducidos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A good personal injury attorney will help you manage liens and subrogation claims throughout your case, not just at the end. Here’s what your attorney should do:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Identifique todos los grav\u00e1menes potenciales con anticipaci\u00f3n<\/strong>Su abogado debe averiguar sobre todos los posibles grav\u00e1menes al comienzo de su caso para que no haya sorpresas m\u00e1s adelante.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Negociar con los titulares de grav\u00e1menes<\/strong>Los abogados con experiencia tienen relaciones con titulares de grav\u00e1menes comunes y saben c\u00f3mo negociar de manera eficaz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Estructurar los asentamientos adecuadamente<\/strong>La forma en que se estructura y documenta su acuerdo puede afectar la cantidad que los titulares de grav\u00e1menes pueden recuperar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Manejar adecuadamente los grav\u00e1menes gubernamentales<\/strong>Los grav\u00e1menes de Medicare y Medicaid requieren experiencia especial para manejarlos correctamente.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNegociaci\u00f3n de montos de grav\u00e1menes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Riesgos de los grav\u00e1menes m\u00e9dicos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Alternativas a los grav\u00e1menes m\u00e9dicos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Trabajar con proveedores m\u00e9dicos<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
C\u00f3mo elegir a los m\u00e9dicos adecuados<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Requisitos de documentaci\u00f3n<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Obtener referencias adecuadas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Gesti\u00f3n de los costos del tratamiento<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Segundas opiniones<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mala fe y demoras en los seguros<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Reconociendo pr\u00e1cticas de mala fe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sus derechos como asegurado<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Problemas de seguros a terceros<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Cu\u00e1ndo considerar tomar acciones legales<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Obtener ayuda legal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cuando necesitas un abogado<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
C\u00f3mo gestionan los abogados las facturas m\u00e9dicas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Acuerdos de honorarios de contingencia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Qu\u00e9 esperar de su abogado<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
C\u00f3mo elegir al abogado adecuado<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Escenarios comunes de facturas m\u00e9dicas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Escenario 1: Un peque\u00f1o golpe con s\u00edntomas retardados<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sarah’s out-of-pocket costs: $200 ($50 + six $25 copays)
Pagos del seguro m\u00e9dico: $1,100<\/p>\n\n\n\nEscenario 2: Accidente grave con m\u00faltiples lesiones<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Escenario 3: Un conductor sin seguro resulta herido<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
Escenario 4: Accidente de atropello y fuga<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Escenario 5: Accidente de veh\u00edculo comercial<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Maximizando su recuperaci\u00f3n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Documentar todos los gastos m\u00e9dicos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Comprender los costos m\u00e9dicos futuros<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
C\u00e1lculos de dolor y sufrimiento<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Trabajar con profesionales m\u00e9dicos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
C\u00f3mo evitar errores comunes en los acuerdos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
El papel de los testigos expertos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Manejo de Grav\u00e1menes y Subrogaci\u00f3n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tipos de grav\u00e1menes sobre acuerdos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Negociaci\u00f3n de reducciones de grav\u00e1menes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
Derechos de subrogaci\u00f3n del seguro de salud<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Consideraciones sobre Medicare y Medicaid<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Protegiendo su acuerdo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Trabajar con su abogado en materia de grav\u00e1menes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n