[adronchijr]

Dear Sir/Madam:
Please provide information on the procedure of paying my medical bills with no personal health insurance after being struck by a car while riding my bike. Please advise to my course of action over the next several days to prepare, or for taking legal action if needed or how I need to address this to the drivers insurance company. I was struck on Friday 2-6-09,@ approx 3pm. And was brought to the hospital in an ambulance. I received medical care in the hospital; X-ray and CT Scan. I was treated for and have existing injuries. I also have an eye witness bystander who has given a report to police that the car was at fault. The police, fire department and ambulance medics all took reports. I am not able to get a police report until 5 business days according to the card received by the police officer which has a case number. I did not speak with the driver who struck me. I do not know if he has insurance or a valid drivers license. I do own a car and have Progressive Car Insurance but was not driving at the time. At the hospital, I had to sign a lot of paper work in order to receive care and was told I would need to go on a payment plan even though I explained I was hit by a car who may be at fault if the police have cited him. I also my need to have follow up medical care as well as medications. I am unemployed as a result of my previous employer downsizing the company in late November, 2008. I could not afford the extended health insurance through COBRA. I will be unable to continue my job search or go on job interviews for at least two weeks, possibly longer.
I live in Miami, FL.
Thank you.
Anthony Dronchi

[ScottGem]

Get an attorney. Since this is a personal injury case, they should take it on contingency. The attorney will file a claim through the driver's insurance. If they acknowledge fault, they should pay all your bills.

[Fr_Chuck]

First course of acton, call the car insurance company of the driver and see if they will just pay for your medical bill.

You are legally obligated to pay the hospital yourself, if they do not pay or if it takes you perhaps years to collect the money from them.

If their insurance will not just pay your bills, you will have to sue them , either in small claims court or in regular court using an attoney

If he does not have any car insurance it is a larger problem, while you can sue him, it may take years if you ever get your money from them.

So you will be stuck paying the hospital if you can not get the money from them

[twinkiedooter]

Contact a personal injury attorney. He will obtain the police report and other paperwork and help you get the medical bills paid by the car's insurance company. He will probably sue the insurance company for your pain and suffering, but it will be awhile before you see any money for that. In the meantime, he should be able to at least arrange for the other insurance company to pick up your medical bills from the hospital, ambulance, and any ongoing doctor's appointments or treatments you may need from your accident.