Our Atlanta injury firm represents people from all over Atlanta and the State of Georgia. One common problem our injury clients have after being hurt in a car accident is having to contend with calls and letters from bill collectors. When you have suffered a disabling injury and are struggling just to cope with your injuries the last thing you need is phone calls and letters from your doctors and other creditors asking you when you are going to pay them.
So what should you do? For starters, don't make the mistake of ignoring calls and letters. Take the initiative to communicate with everyone you owe. Call them before they call you.
Second, remember the maxim "Everything is negotiable." Bill collectors are trained to be persistent and pushy and will make it seem as if you must pay up right away or else you will suffer dire consequences. The reality is that if you stay in touch with them and make it clear you are trying to make arrangements to take care of their bill they will often allow significant grace periods. You can negotiate the timing of your payments, the amount of your payments, and even how long it will be before you make your first payment.
Politely but firmly let any collection callers know you have been injured in an accident and it will be some time before you are back to work full time and able to meet all your obligations. Stress that you want to pay what you owe promptly, but have no choice but to focus on getting well for the time being. Tell them you will send them as much as you can as soon as you can. Don't hesitate to ask for a deferment. You won't know how much extra time they will give you unless you ask.
If you hire an attorney most bill collectors, especially hospitals and doctors, will agree to stop contacting you and make future communications through your attorney's office. For many of our clients this is a huge relief! We are happy to help in this way. We also have had a lot of experience and success negotiating with hospitals and doctors and convincing them to reduce what you owe.
If you have been injured by the negligence of another and need help, please contact me today. The initial phone consultation is FREE so please take advantage of that! I am Attorney Peter Pearson and I practice with the Atlanta car accident injury law firm of Dupee & Pearson, LLC.
