Seeking damages for future medical expenses after a car accident can be an essential step that allows you to get the medical care that you need in the years to come. Future medical care can be a critical aspect of a settlement if you suffered serious injuries in the accident. So, if you are the victim of a car accident that is likely to result in future medical costs, you need to speak with a Longmont car accident lawyer. At The Law Offices of Edward Smith LLC, our collective years of experience handling Colorado car accident cases have equipped us with the knowledge needed to guide our clients through this process and get the settlement they deserve. Keep reading to find out how you can prove future medical expenses after a car accident and how this can impact your claim.
Why It’s Important to Identify Future Medical Care Early On
When you accept a car accident settlement, you are waiving your right to pursue future legal action. So, you need to make sure you completely understand the extent of your damages so that your claim can reflect this.
Especially when it comes to future medical care after a car accident, you need to have a complete picture of how your health has been impacted. Here are some examples of why this is so important:
- Certain types of injuries may require extensive medical treatment that could last for months or years.
- Severe injuries may result in permanent health issues or disability.
- Some conditions may grow worse over time or require more invasive treatment later on.
- Future medical expenses may go up or may not accurately reflect the financial impact of your injury.
- Certain injuries can negatively impact your ability to work, increasing the financial impact of long-term medical treatment.
Types of Future Medical Needs That May Affect a Claim
If you are the victim of a Colorado car accident, you shouldn’t underestimate the extent of your injuries. Doing so could result in you getting a lower settlement than you actually deserve.
Here are some examples of future medical needs that could affect your claim and the amount of compensation you may be entitled to:
- Surgeries
- Physical or occupational therapy
- Rehab rehabilitation
- Long-term medical monitoring
- Prescription medication
- Specialist and doctor appointments
- Assistive equipment or home modifications
- Pain management
To get a more accurate idea of the types of future medical needs you should include in your claim, you need to consult with a personal injury attorney in Colorado. An attorney can review your medical records and treatment recommendations as well as work with healthcare providers and experts to determine the true value of your claim before moving forward.
How Future Medical Needs Are Evaluated
Colorado law will only allow compensation for future medical expenses deemed as reasonably necessary and backed by qualified evidence. So, it isn’t necessarily as simple as proving your present medical damages, which you can usually do through things like medical bills, test results, and doctor’s notes.
More in-depth evaluation is necessary to determine the extent of your injuries and how they are estimated to affect you in the future. These evaluations will look into the following:
- The opinions of the treating doctors and specialists.
- The official prognosis and anticipated recovery timeline.
- Medical records.
- The nature and severity of the injury compared with other cases.
- Medical expert input.
Common Ways Insurance Companies Try to Dispute Future Medical Care
Even with the strongest personal injury case, there’s always the risk of the insurance company disputing your claim. And this is especially common in Colorado car accident cases involving future medical care.
Here are some examples of common ways that insurance companies may try to avoid compensating future medical expenses in Colorado:
- Treatment necessity: The insurance company may try to dispute whether the future medical treatment is actually necessary.
- Causation: A common tactic insurance companies may try to use is to shift the blame for your injuries to something other than the car accident.
- Pre-existing conditions: If you have a pre-existing condition, the insurance company may try to connect your future medical needs with the condition you had before the accident.
- Speculation: The insurance carrier may try to insist that your future medical care needs are purely speculative and lack substantial or trustworthy proof.
To improve the chances of having a positive outcome for your claim, you need to be prepared for these potential disputes. Your attorney can help you create a claim that is thorough, leaving little room for speculation. They will also handle all communication on your behalf so that you aren’t pressured into accepting an unfair settlement offer.
Get Legal Representation From a Colorado Car Accident Lawyer Today
Car accident injuries and medical expenses aren’t always short-term; in fact, this can often result in the need for ongoing medical treatment. And if that is the case, you should pursue a future medical care settlement so that you can afford your future medical expenses. At The Law Offices of Edward Smith LLC, our Colorado auto accident attorneys are here to help you build a strong personal injury claim that includes your present and future medical damages. To begin working with an experienced Colorado car accident lawyer, contact us today at 303-682-2944 for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can future medical expenses be included in the Colorado car accident settlement?
Yes, as long as you can prove that the future medical expenses are reasonably necessary and backed by trustworthy evidence.
How are future medical needs proven?
Through things like medical records, treatment plans, physician opinions, expert input, etc. Your Longmont car accident lawyer will review your case to determine what evidence your claim should include.
What if I might need surgery later?
Any potential surgeries that you may need in the future should be considered when evaluating your future medical needs and expenses.
Why does future treatment matter before settling a claim?
Once you have received a settlement and your claim is resolved, you no longer have the right to pursue future compensation if additional medical issues arise. That’s why it’s important to think ahead and determine whether your medical needs will evolve at any point in the future.
