When you have been injured by someone else’s negligence, they may be legally obligated to cover your medical bills and other costs related to your accident. However, depending on the complexity of the case and how cooperative the defendant (or their insurance company) is, it may be months or years before you see a dime of compensation. In the meantime, you are hurt now and you need health care now. If you are one of the millions of Americans who do not have health insurance, getting the care you need when you need it can be a challenge. There are several ways that you can try to get your injuries treated. An attorney may be able to help guide you through the process of seeking care now.

What if I Need Emergency Care After the Accident?

It is important to know that hospitals are required to treat anyone who is having a medical emergency, whether they have insurance and are able to pay or not. You can be treated in the ER right away, and you will not be discharged until it is safe for you to go home. The bill can be addressed later.

How Can I Get Health Care Without Insurance After an Accident?

After the need for emergency care has passed, you may require continuing care, such as follow-up visits with a specialist or physical therapy. Trying to get a doctor to begin treating you when you have no health insurance can be very difficult. Strategies you and your lawyer may use to make sure you are getting the care you need in the meantime include:

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The area of personal injury law deals with injuries to persons and property caused by negligent or malicious actions. Many personal injury claims follow a car accident or truck accident in which someone is hurt or killed. Slip and fall accidents, amusement park accidents, work accidents, and other incidents can also lead to a personal injury claim.

Injured victims and their families often experience immediate financial upheaval after being hurt in an accident. Vehicle replacement costs, medical bills, and lost income make the process of healing even harder than it already is. A personal injury claim may help victims recover financial compensation for these and other financial losses after an accident. Working with an experienced personal injury lawyer during this process benefits injured victims in a multitude of ways.

Choosing the Course of Action That Is Best for You

Every accident is unique, and there are nearly countless ways that an accident victim can respond. Some accident victims assume that it is best to settle with the insurance company as quickly as possible in order to secure compensation. However, doing so can sometimes mean accepting a much lower settlement offer. A skilled attorney can help you determine the course of action that is best given your unique situation and needs.

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As a parent, you probably worry about your child’s safety on a near-constant basis. Unfortunately, unexpected accidents happen every day, and sometimes, the victims of those accidents are the most vulnerable among us. If your child was injured in a car crash, amusement park or carnival accident, slip and fall accident, or another incident caused by negligence, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit on your child’s behalf. Personal injury claims involving children are notoriously complicated, so working with an experienced lawyer is crucial.

Understanding Personal Injury Claims Involving Children

Personal injury claims are often based on the legal theory of negligence. Negligence occurs when a party has a “duty of care” and fails to uphold the duty. For example, the owner/operator of a carnival has a duty to ensure that the rides are safe, well-maintained, and do not present a risk of injury to riders. Drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws and drive responsibly. Tire manufacturers have a duty to ensure that the tires are manufactured correctly and do not contain defects that could lead to blowouts. When a party’s negligence causes someone to be hurt or killed, the injured person may be entitled to damages. In most personal injury cases, the case is resolved through a settlement before the case moves to trial. However, the settlement process is different when the injured person is a child.

Settling a Personal Injury Claim Involving a Minor

Typically, when an adult is injured in an accident, he or she hires a lawyer to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company or other liable party. Children are not legally permitted to file a lawsuit. Instead, a representative, typically a parent, stands in for the child. This stand-in is called “next friend” in Texas. If the claim is resolved through a settlement, the parties are usually required to attend a hearing that takes place in front of a judge. A “guardian ad litem” is usually appointed to represent the injured child’s best interests.

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