Car Accident step by step process Part 14: Understanding MedPay

The more I treat the more I get.....not true.  Insurance companies have a pre-determined amount that each injury is worth.....so if you treat the injury more than you should than less money will come to you....unless you have a powerful Attorney to fight this!

Gotta love Colorado:  You are allowed to "sign off" on MedPay. 



MedPay:  A type of auto insurance covering medical and funeral expenses resulting from an accident for the policyholder and any passengers riding with the policyholder. MedPay also covers the policyholder for any accident in which he is a pedestrian. MedPay provides coverage regardless of who is at fault. (Investorwords.com). 

Here's what most people do not know....

.......MedPay is PAID BACK out of your settlement....UNLESS you have an Attorney who fights for you.  When I was told this, honestly, I was shocked!! 

When you sign on for auto insurance and do not "opt out" you are automatically signed up for $5,000 MedPay (Colorado....please check your state policies).  

The good thing about MedPay is it kicks in immediately.  The bad thing is it is not closely looked at so if you visit an "unscrupulous" Doctor your MedPay can be used up very quickly....and as I said earlier....it is normally paid back out of your settlement.

We talked about Policy Limits so let's assume you have the Colorado minimum requirements of $25,000/$50,000 with $25,000 MedPay.  The person who hits you has the same minimum policy limits.  You are seriously injured and your MedPay is exhausted.  You have to have surgery and will have scars the rest of your life.  Bye Bye settlement.  

First thing you need to do is check what your policy limits are.
Second check what your MedPay is.
Third:  If you are ever injured in a car accident TALK TO A Personal Injury Attorney.  They will fight for your MedPay and they will have referral Doctor's that won't abuse the MedPay so you have more money for treatment.





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Words that can hurt you after a car accident...more than your injuries

You are driving down the street and the next thing you know you are face in your airbag.  You've been hit by someone.  You don't know what happened.  What should you do?

Keep your mouth shut!!

"Insurance companies didn't get to be $15 billion and $20 billion (companies) because they give money away," says John Smith of Morgan Hubble Smith Insurance, based in Columbus, Ohio.

What happened? Is usually the first question asked by the first responders; police, fire department, paramedics, EMT's, witnesses to the accident, etc.  What you say can be twisted to whatever the insurance company wants, remember they didn't get to be a $15 billion dollar company because they want to take care of you!

No matter what the situation is.....keep your mouth shut.  When the adjuster comes out...keep your mouth shut.  They are looking for "key" words or phrases that can and will be used against you.  Don't discuss anything personal: "I just lost my job" or "I just broke up with....." NOTHING!!

"People talk too much. Your best advice is to make sure everyone is OK and then say nothing," says Smith, who's been in the insurance industry for 27 years.

Car accidents are a very stressful situation to be in.  It is natural to "talk" because you are nervous.  But....you don't want what you say to hurt your claim and, trust me, if they can manipulate what is said, to their advantage, they will.

Don't apologize...this can be construed as an admission of guilt.  I have been in two car accidents, neither of which was my fault, and I can tell you...the first thing out of my mouth on the first one was "I'm sorry" meaning just that...not that I was guilty but I was sorry the accident happened.  That was a hurdle that we should not have had to jump through....but it did teach me for the car accident that happened later.  

So, what can you do? 

• Get to a safe place
• Make sure everyone is okay
• Call the police and, if needed, an ambulance
• Have your driver's license, registration, and auto insurance (Everything they need to know about you is on these items)
• SAY NOTHING!!!
• Call an Attorney

Learn from other's mistakes!  

If you are injured in a Colorado car accident I highly recommend (from personal experience):

Zeisler & Associates, Attorneys at Law, PC on Facebook or visit their website for more information.

If you have a horror story about your car accident or if you have hired Zeisler & Associates, Attorneys at Law, PC please tell me about your experience.

Understanding MedPay?

The more I treat the more I get.....not true.  Insurance companies have a pre-determined amount that each injury is worth.....so if you treat the injury more than you should than less money will come to you....unless you have a powerful Attorney to fight this!

Gotta love Colorado:  You are allowed to "sign off" on MedPay. 




MedPay:  A type of auto insurance covering medical and funeral expenses resulting from an accident for the policyholder and any passengers riding with the policyholder. MedPay also covers the policyholder for any accident in which he is a pedestrian. MedPay provides coverage regardless of who is at fault. (Investorwords.com). 

Here's what most people do not know....

.......MedPay is PAID BACK out of your settlement....UNLESS you have an Attorney who fights for you.  When I was told this, honestly, I was shocked!! 

When you sign on for auto insurance and do not "opt out" you are automatically signed up for $5,000 MedPay (Colorado....please check your state policies).  

The good thing about MedPay is it kicks in immediately.  The bad thing is it is not closely looked at so if you visit an "unscrupulous" Doctor your MedPay can be used up very quickly....and as I said earlier....it is normally paid back out of your settlement.

We talked about Policy Limits so let's assume you have the Colorado minimum requirements of $25,000/$50,000 with $25,000 MedPay.  The person who hits you has the same minimum policy limits.  You are seriously injured and your MedPay is exhausted.  You have to have surgery and will have scars the rest of your life.  Bye Bye settlement.  

First thing you need to do is check what your policy limits are.
Second check what your MedPay is.
Third:  If you are ever injured in a car accident TALK TO A Personal Injury Attorney.  They will fight for your MedPay and they will have referral Doctor's that won't abuse the MedPay so you have more money for treatment.

Previous blog on MedPay

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Secrets Insurance Companies don't want you to know

Okay, so you have been in a car accident. Here are a few secrets you HAVE to know before you say anything to anyone.

Insurance companies ARE NOT YOUR FRIEND!! They will call you, and more often than not it is being recorded, to see if you are okay and to ask you a few "questions." DO NOT AGREE TO DO THIS. Even the truth can hurt you later on. Imagine a murder suspect in interrogations...the police are allowed to lie to the suspect in the hopes of a confession. After the car accident you are now in this situation. The insurance company will lie to you in hopes to get the answers they need.

Their ONLY GOAL, no matter what they say, is to

SAVE MONEY!!

If you are hurt you need to seek medical attention. Keep in mind that not all injuries do not materialize right away. It is essential that you seek a PROFESSIONAL and RESPECTED Doctor as your injuries can cause long term damage OR hurt your claim if not documented correctly. 

Here's my oops that I want you to learn from:

By this....I strongly urge you not to answer the question "What are you doing for the pain?" with......."lots of alcohol."

Negotiations: Lets be honest...we all think we can "get more" if we don't hire an Attorney.

"Insurance companies will NEVER tell you to consult an attorney, because they know that if you hire an attorney, you will get more money, even after you pay the attorney, than you will get if try to negotiate with them yourself. Insurance companies will NEVER tell you that their negotiators and claims adjusters are often attorneys." (The Washington Times)

Did you know that Insurance Companies will often request your Doctor's summary to compare with other Doctors? Did you know that they PAY other Doctor's to review your injuries to decide if treatment is necessary?

Guess what the findings are......yep, treatment wasn't necessary.

Don't get bullied by the Insurance Company! Get medical treatment from an HONEST and REPUTABLE Doctor and/or clinic! 

If you are unsure which Doctor to see call Zeisler & Associates, Attorney at Law, PC for a referral.

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Relation to size of accident to severity of injury

Some of the "smallest" accidents can cause the biggest injuries.  It doesn't take a semi truck to hit you head on to cause serious injuries. 

How many times have you heard of a car that was totaled and the driver walked away without any injuries?  When this happens you say, "someone was very lucky."

How many times have you heard of a "fender-bender" and the driver sustained many serious injuries?  I know, when you hear of these you say, "Ya right, this person is milking the system."

Honestly, some of the "smallest" accidents can cause the biggest injuries.  I have spoken of my car accident...it was a little one....for the car that is.  For me....yes I was "looked at" as if I wasn't really hurt (and I want to add that these looks came from a DOCTOR).  It wasn't until additional tests that were run that it was discovered I really was hurt (imagine that).

What is important to know when you are involved in a car accident is that NO MATTER how LITTLE the accident was go see a DOCTOR. 

I am going to suggest something that I wish I had done when I had my car accident.  If you do not require emergency care call an Attorney first....who knew that Personal Injury Attorney's knew Doctors :)

Who knew that a Personal Injury Attorney knows about "medical stuff." 

If you do require emergency care....make sure YOU or someone you trust knows what is going on and what treatment you are being provided.  Emergency Room Doctors are NOT specialists...they are there to SAVE YOUR LIFE.  It is essential that YOU or someone you trust knows what is going on.  When you are able call an Attorney.  A good Personal Injury Attorney will take care of things for you.  Refer you to the BEST Doctors/Chiropractors for YOUR situation. 

If you are in Colorado and you or someone you know is involved in a car accident, no matter how small I highly recommend Zeisler & Associates, Attorney's at Law, PC.  I can personally tell you that Carol took EXCELLENT care of me throughout my ordeal.  You get the large firm strength with the small firm treatment. 

If you have hired Zeisler & Associates, Attorney at Law, PC please share your story and experience in the comment section. 

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The truth about MedPay and treatment for Personal Injury

The more I treat the more I get.....not true.  Insurance companies have a pre-determined amount that each injury is worth.....so if you treat the injury more than you should than less money will come to you....unless you have a powerful Attorney to fight this!

Gotta love Colorado:  You are allowed to "sign off" on MedPay. 

MedPay:  A type of auto insurance covering medical and funeral expenses resulting from an accident for the policyholder and any passengers riding with the policyholder. MedPay also covers the policyholder for any accident in which he is a pedestrian. MedPay provides coverage regardless of who is at fault. (Investorwords.com). 

For a few dollars more a month you can add this to your insurance policy.  Personally I have $25,000 in MedPay and used up most of it with my car accident. 

Why?

Because....I was over-treated in the beginning.

Who knew, right? I thought it was the right thing to do....and being stubborn I didn't need an Attorney when it first happened....WRONG!

If I hired Zeisler & Associates, Attorney at Law, PC IN THE BEGINNING I would not have been "over-treated."

Here's what most people do not know....

.......MedPay is PAID BACK out of your settlement....UNLESS you have an Attorney who fights for you.  When I was told this, honestly, I was shocked!!  BUT....

.....the good news...Zeisler & Associates, Attorney at Law, PC was able to fight this and have the pay it back out of my settlement waived.  If I did not have this powerful Firm representing me....my settlement would have been less!

If you, or someone you know, is involved in a car accident....CALL ZEISLER & ASSOCIATES, Attorney at Law, PC.  They ONLY represent Personal Injury so they are very qualified and know what your rights are ALL THE TIME.  (800) 961-2430.

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Spinal Cord Injuries

What is Spinal Cord Injury?   Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord that results in a loss of function such as mobility or feeling. Frequent causes of damage are trauma (car accident, gunshot,  falls, etc.) or disease (polio, spina bifida, Friedreich's Ataxia, etc.). The spinal cord does not have to be severed in order for a loss of functioning to occur. In fact, in most people with SCI, the spinal cord is intact, but the damage to it results in loss of functioning. SCI is very different from back injuries such as ruptured disks, spinal stenosis or pinched nerves.
   A person can "break their back or neck" yet not sustain a spinal cord injury if only the bones around the spinal cord (the vertebrae) are damaged, but the spinal cord is not affected. In these situations, the individual may not experience paralysis after the bones are stabilized.
   What is the spinal cord and the vertebra?   The spinal cord is about 18 inches long and extends from the base of the brain, down the middle of the back, to about the waist. The nerves that lie within the spinal cord are upper motor neurons (UMNs) and their function is to carry the messages back and forth from the brain to the spinal nerves along the spinal tract. The spinal nerves that branch out from the spinal cord to the other parts of the body are called lower motor neurons (LMNs). These spinal nerves exit and enter at each vertebral level and communicate with specific areas of the body. The sensory portions of the LMN carry messages about sensation from the skin and other body parts and organs to the brain. The motor portions of the LMN send messages from the brain to the various body parts to initiate actions such as muscle movement.
(http://www.spinalinjury.net/html/_spinal_cord_101.html) 
    
Car Accidents can cause numerous problems to the body.  Spinal cord injuries can affect your hands, arms, legs and feet and will usually take a MRI to discover.  Depending where the injury will determine what other parts of your body will be affected.  A neck injury can affect your arm while a back injury can affect your legs. When you are involved in a car accident and you don't "feel" any injuries call an Attorney anyway.  It may take several weeks before any injuries will be discovered.  


At Zeisler & Associates you will get the attention YOU deserve and need.  Zeisler & Associates ONLY practice personal injury.  Make your first call the them and they can refer you to the best doctors for your situation.


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What to do after a car accident

What to do after a car accident

Car accidents are scary and difficult to be involved in but, unfortunately, they are an every day occurrence. If you haven't been involved in a car accident chances are you know someone who has.  Accidents range from minor to deadly.

Car accidents do not discriminate.

There are all types of accidents. They can involve other vehicles or a pedestrian.  You will hear many descriptions of accidents; fender benders, an MVA, an MVC, a collision, an incident, a crash or a wreck. No matter how they are described it often results in one thing: injuries. Some injuries cannot be detected right away.  Victims of Car Accidents will often walk away saying they feel fine only to find themselves, weeks later, unable to function normally.

When you are involved in a car accident what do you do? 

Never admit fault.
Call the police.
Gather as much information about the other party involved in the accident.
Seek medical attention even if you do not have obvious injuries.

Call Today Toll Free 800-961-2430

Call Zeisler & Associates. 

A Law Firm that focuses, exclusively, on Personal Injury!!

At Zeisler & Associates you will always have your consultation WITH AN ATTORNEY!!  Beware of the firms that have you meet with a non-Attorney to assess you case.

At Zeisler & Associates you will have direct contact WITH AN ATTORNEY!!

At Zeisler & Associates you will always be informed of the status of your case.

Conveniently located in two locations:

Click on the city to get directions

Pueblo                                                                     Colorado Springs
123 W. 12th Street                                                        422 E Vermijo, Ste 412
Pueblo, CO  81003                                                       Colorado Springs, CO 80903
719-358-2571                                                               719-694-3971


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