Personal Injury After A Car Crash: Information From An Experienced Attorney.
If you’re injured in an auto accident in Harrisonburg, Staunton or anywhere else in Virginia, an attorney might be the last person you think to call. It should, however, be one of the first calls you make. Because of the many different legal ramifications that can occur after an accident, like healthcare liens and personal injury lawsuits, a lawyer can help protect you from excessive fees and navigate those complexities.
Let’s Break It Down:
What Is ERISA?
ERISA stands for the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. It is a federal law designed to protect Americans and create retirement and health plan standards for private industry. One of the key standards of the bill is this:
If an individual is injured in an accident and is not at fault, the group insurance plan is
allowed to pursue payment of the medical bills by the person declared at fault.
What does that mean? Basically, if you’re injured in a car crash and your insurance covers your medical bills, the insurance plan can demand payment from your personal injury settlement to cover the costs of medical care they provided.
Why Was It Established?
ERISA was enacted to safeguard private retirement programs to protect employees from fraud and abuse.
I Just Won A Personal Injury Settlement. Why Is The Hospital Taking My Money?
If a medical establishment provided care to you after the accident, they’re entitled to payment for their work. Their payment will be deducted from any proceeds that you receive. Those payouts are typically capped at specific dollar amounts.
How Can Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver Help Me?
We have decades of experience representing clients in personal injury and medical malpractice cases. That experience translates well in cases that result from car crashes, motorcycle accidents or any other type of traffic-related accident. We help you understand your options and negotiate settlements with the insurance provider and any medical professionals. Out of our offices in Harrisonburg and Staunton, we serve clients throughout Virginia and have more than one attorney ready to help you after you’ve been the victim of an accident.
