Hello! I have a very difficult question I'm hoping someone can help me with about car accidents.

Question

I was involved in an auto accident (not a fault) almost 3 yrs ago. My lower back was messed up. I went to my family dr. right after the accident to tell him what had happened and what was bothering me. He gave me muscle relaxers and some exercises. I returned to him a few days later telling him my low back still hurts, so he referred me to physical therapy, pain management Dr's., orthopedic surgeons, etc. Now when I'm trying to settle my case that dr. says he can't say if my back problems were from the accident!!!! Obviously he thought so when I came to him after the accident and now because of that I might lose my case. I have over 30,000 in medical bills now with all the referrals he did for me. Can he be held responsible for the bills if I do lose since it was his idea and expertise that got me into all those Dr's. which really didn't help me at all? If anyone can help please I need something. Thank You

Answer 1

I am so sorry this has happened to you.  I wish my DR had recommended me to specialists (he NEVER does) - here I am 10 months after my accident - hurting & my DR says deal with the pain.

Live with it.

IF you end up stuck with these bills - there is hope - because a lot of hospitals & drs offices will forgive some of the debt - sometimes ALMOST ALL - mom's worked for a few hospitals & she says this is standard practice.

I do not know why the DR would say that - he's (or she's ) not a caring person.

I am sorry you're hurting - I paid $3K to be told I AM FINE - nothing wrong with me just in pain.  :(  

That end of the spectrum doesn't lead me to a lot of $ from the insurance company either even though I will hurt for the rest of my life.

And my attorney is limping today & facing surgery from his auto accident (NOT HIS FAULT) from 20 years ago

Answer 2

You had a problem with your back. He tried to help. Why do you assume he thought your accident caused the problem?

If you didn't have insurance, you should have carefully discussed costs with the specialists before you saw them.

Grow up. Don't be a child. Your doctor is not your mommy or daddy. YOU ran up $30,000 in bills. YOU decided to see those specialists. Your doctor may have RECOMMENDED that you do so, but ultimately it was your choice.

If you saw so many specialists, ask one of them to testify on your behalf.

Answer 3

Get a lawyer. The lawyer could word it in such a way that the dr referred you because of the accident, and maybe even have a talk with the dr. Good Luck!

Answer 4

No - your doctor can not be held responsible for the bills.

You incurred the treatment - you are responsible for the bills.

It's not his job to base your treatment on what caused the injury and any money you may get. It's his job to treat the injury - no matter how you got it.

It was not his idea to send you to those people for further treatment. He had a patient that came back and said "my back still hurts" - so, he gave you a referral for something else. You came back again - "that did not work - my back still hurts".

At what point do you take responsibility for your own actions - your choices?

So......had it not been a car wreck..... had there not been a big pot of money at the end of it all......would you have racked up all that treatment? Did your back really hurt you that bad?

If you lose your case because of the medical bills - it's because YOU over treated.

Grow up  - get real - and accept responsibility for your own decisions.