Who will pay for my surgery after a car or truck accident?

Car and truck accident victims often face mounting medical bills and other crash-related expenses. On top of that, injured crash victims often have to take time off from work or avoid certain activities during recovery. Some crash-related injuries are treated with nothing more than pain medication, rest, and rehabilitation. Not all injuries will heal without surgery, however.

Learning that you need to get surgery to recover from an injury can be frightening. You may be uncertain about the outcome of your surgery or if you will be able to afford such a costly procedure. You may also not know where to turn for help. Fortunately, an experienced Omaha attorney at Ausman Law Firm P.C., L.L.O. can help you explore your legal options.

Crash-related injuries that require surgery

The following injuries are often treated with surgery:

• Bone fractures — The impact of a crash can result in compound and multiple fractures. Bones are surgically realigned and held together with metal plates, pins and screws.
• Knee injuries — Bones, tendons and ligaments in the knees can become damaged in a crash. This results in severe pain and loss of mobility. Knee surgery often involves complete knee replacement or knee arthroplasty.
• Spinal injuries — The spine is a very sensitive part of the human body. Serious pain and loss of mobility can be caused by a slipped disc, damaged vertebrae or injury to the spinal cord.
• Traumatic brain injury — Severe traumatic brain injuries often include open head injuries, skull fractures, hematomas and hemorrhages. These types of injuries need surgery to reduce pressure on the brain from swelling and inflammation or to repair damaged tissue in the brain or skull.
• Internal injuries — Injuries to vital internal organs are often life-threatening and require emergency surgery. The heart, lungs, kidney or spleen can sustain trauma from blunt force or puncture wounds.
• Facial injuries — The impact of a crash can cause broken bones and severe soft tissue injuries to the face. Facial injuries can also leave crash victims permanently disfigured and often require reconstructive or plastic surgery.

While there may not be a specific estimate on how much your surgery will cost, there are many factors that go into the overall cost. This includes:

• Cost of anesthesia
• Hospital and doctor's fees
• Type of surgery:
  • Spinal fusion
  • Brain surgery
  • Knee replacement
  • Surgery for soft tissue injuries
  • Bone re-alignment
  • Reconstructive or plastic surgery

Seeking compensation for damages

If you weren't at fault for your crash, you may pursue compensation from the other driver's insurance company. In order to pursue additional damages, your attorney must prove that the other driver's negligence resulted in your injuries. This is where things can get tricky. Your attorney will need to conduct an in-depth investigation and gather indisputable evidence to support your claim. This can include the police report, statements from witnesses, surveillance camera footage, cellphone records, pictures from the crash scene, and medical records.

Your attorney would then need to negotiate a settlement with the other driver's insurance company. If a settlement can't be reached, your case may go to trial where compensation may be awarded through a verdict.

Contact our attorneys in Omaha for help with your case

If your crash wasn't your fault, you shouldn't have to worry about the cost of your medical expenses. The insurance company that represents the at-fault driver is responsible for compensating you for your losses. Unfortunately, insurance companies will put their own interests above your needs. Dealing with them without the help of an attorney can not only be frustrating, but it can also hurt your chances of getting the compensation you deserve.

You should only focus on your recovery. Let our experienced Omaha car accident attorneys handle your case for you. Contact us online to schedule your free and confidential legal consultation.