Q: I got ran over in a crosswalk in Seattle was in harbor view for several days and need to follow up PT. How do I persue

A: I am extremely sorry for your circumstances.

Typically, if you have health insurance, that will be your first source to pay medical bills and ensure access to the continuing care that you need. Then, as part of your claim for personal injuries, you will seek reimbursement for these medical expenses from the at-fault driver and his insurance company. If and when you obtain a settlement or collect a verdict from the driver and his insurer, you may be obligated to pay your health insurer back for some of the expenses they covered.

There is also a type of insurance coverage under certain auto policies called Personal Injury Protection that may be available to cover medical and some other expenses. For injured people that do not have health insurance or PIP available and need access to medical treatment, some providers will provide treatment and withhold billing in exchange for a promise to reimburse them for these expenses out of any future settlement or verdict that is collected.

I strongly recommend people in your position seek qualified legal representation early on, as each case has its own unique facts, circumstances and nuances, so there are not universal answers to questions like these. Moreover, in my experience insurance companies vigorously defend claims of any significant injury, and the system is extremely difficult if not impossible to navigate to a good outcome without professional representation.

I sincerely hope that you are able to attain the best possible resolution of both your physical injuries and your claim for compensation for the harms and losses caused by the at-fault driver.

A: I'm sorry for your accident and injuries. There are many issues to sort out here in terms of liability, coverage, etc. You should consider reaching out to Washington attorneys to try to arrange a free consult - most law firms would offer that in such cases. Good luck