After a serious car crash in Iowa, you may be required to pay some of your expenses out-of-pocket, especially right after the crash. While they might not be as much as your medical bills or lost wages, out-of-pocket costs can quickly add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
What Sort of Out-Of-Pocket Costs Could Be Associated with a Serious Iowa Car Crash?
There are several different things that could count as “out-of-pocket” costs for your accident-related injuries:
· Travel expenses to and from doctors’ appointments, especially if you need to go out of town or state to see a specialist. This can include car rental fees or transportation costs from taking a plane, a bus, or an Uber. This could also include mileage reimbursement to and from these appointments as well.
· House cleaning or childcare expenses, if you are unable to clean your house or care for your kids because of your accident-related injuries.
· Personal assistants and/or nursing help with showering, dressing, or other personal grooming.
· Insurance deductibles.
· Replacing possessions that were damaged or destroyed during the crash. This can include any electronics like laptops or cell phones, clothing, or other personal items that were made unusable because of the crash.
If you have questions about what can be claimed as an “out-of-pocket” cost on a demand letter for settlement purposes, talk to an experienced Iowa car accident lawyer. They can tell you what expenses you can ask to be reimbursed for from the other driver’s insurance company.
Documenting Out-Of-Pocket Costs After a Car Accident
To be reimbursed, the most important thing you must do is properly document these out-of-pocket costs. This means keeping any receipts you have for the costs listed above, as well as any medical bills and invoices you pay.
Even if your health insurance covers the majority of your accident-related medical bills, there may still be co-pays or deductibles you need to pay. Keep a record of these deductibles so you can ask for reimbursement when it comes time for settlement.
There may also be out-of-pocket costs in the future if your injuries require ongoing medical care. If that is the case, you may need to have an expert calculate what the costs of this would be.
This is when having a skilled Iowa car accident lawyer makes a big difference. An attorney can find the right expert for your case to calculate what expenses you may have in the future – so you won’t have to continue to pay out-of-pocket costs after your case has settled.
When Does the Other Side Have to Pay My Out-Of-Pocket Costs?
Generally speaking, the other driver’s insurance company does not have to pay any of your out-of-pocket costs before you sign settlement paperwork. Usually, insurance companies will want to write one check for everything, so it’s unlikely that you’ll receive any money before you settle your claim.
However, if you are having difficulty paying for accident-related costs from your own pocket, it may not hurt to ask the other side to cover those bills.
Getting a fair settlement for your car accident case can be a challenge, even if it was obvious the other side was at fault.
If you have been seriously injured in a car crash, you need to speak with an attorney. RSH Legal offers a free, no-obligation case evaluation for Iowans injured in a car accident.
To schedule yours, call 1-800-433-0283.
