Yes, if you're retired when hurt in a Houston-area car crash, then it may be worth pursuing a car accident case. Assuming that you don’t work at all, you haven't lost any income, so you won’t be able to seek lost income damages in a car accident lawsuit.
However, there are other important claim damages that will make a car accident settlement or court verdict financially beneficial.
Medical Expenses
Medicare will cover your healthcare costs after a car crash, but there are certain steps you must take to protect your Medicare eligibility.
After the accident, it's your responsibility to report the accident to the Medicare Coordination of Benefits Contractor. This is a company that acts on behalf of Medicare to "collect and manage information on other types of insurance or coverage that a Medicare beneficiary may have, and to then determine which entity pays first." You can find contact information for the contractor in your Medicare paperwork or on the Medicare site.
You'll be asked for information about your injury, your medical providers, and your lawyer, if you've hired one. While you're receiving medical treatment, the contractor may ask you for updates, and you must comply with these requests.
When your personal injury case is resolved, you or your attorney must notify the contractor. Medicare must be reimbursed out of your settlement for the medical expenses it covered before you receive your portion.
Other Car Accident Damages
Compensation for things other than medical expenses may also be possible after your car accident. These damages may include physical pain, emotional suffering, and out-of-pocket costs. Things such as your physical discomfort, anxiety, mental anguish, the impact of the injuries on your life, and any costs you can prove were incurred because of these injuries should be part of your settlement.
In some cases, it may also be possible to recover punitive damages. Punitive damages are designed to punish the outrageous behavior of the driver who caused the accident, but have the practical effect of adding money to your settlement.
Some of these damages can be difficult to prove, but an experienced car accident attorney knows what evidence to gather and how to make convincing arguments that persuade insurance companies and courts to compensate accident victims fairly.
The attorneys of Steven M. Lee, PC work on a contingency fee basis. We're only paid if your accident case is successful. Therefore, you have nothing to lose. Call us today to schedule a free consultation to get the information you need to decide whether to pursue a car accident claim.
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I'm retired. Is it worth it to pursue a car accident case?
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