What to do if I was injured in a car accident, was not at-fault and have no health insurance?
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What to do if I was injured in a car accident, was not at-fault and have no health insurance?
I was in a car accident last august about 10 months ago. I suffered a concussion, was in the hospital for 1 week and now have a $31,000 hospital bill which I have no way of paying. I am still suffering from health problems from the accident. I had no health insurance at the time and still have none. I have not been able to see a doctor once since the accident. The at-fault driver of the accident was clearly responsible for my injuries and issued a citation by the police for failing to stop at a crosswalk. I am worried that I will soon be sued by the hospital and ambulance company. I have no way of paying for a lawyer.
Asked on June 11, 2014 under Personal Injury, Massachusetts
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
You say that the other driver was at fault; in that case, you can sue him to recover compensation for your pain and suffering, for your medical bills, for any lost wages, for any reduced earning potential, and for other, out-of-pocket costs, if any (e.g. if you had to hire someone to keep house or shop for you). However, while you can sue him to recover these amounts--and may well be able to find an attorney who will take the case on "contingency," or in exchange for part of the money recovered (usually around 1/4 or 1/3)--you are stiill responsible for all own bills and costs, and will have to pay them or be sued. If sued, you may need to consider bankrupty as an option--these kind of bills are typically "unsecured" debt (e.g. debt that does not have any property attached to or securing it, the way a home secures a mortgage), and unsecured debt is the kind of debt which bankruptcy deals with the best.
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