If you've suffered an injury in a car accident, one of the first things on your mind is probably how you're going to pay all those medical bills that are starting to pile up. The ambulance ride, ER visit, x-rays, pain medications, follow-up doctor appointments, physical therapy - it can add up fast, and it's not cheap.
The good news is, if the accident wasn't your fault, you shouldn't be stuck paying the bills. That responsibility falls on the person or parties who caused the crash.
To ensure your medical expenses get covered by the right people, your best bet is to call a car accident lawyer immediately. They'll fight to get you the money you need and deserve.
When Someone Else Caused the Accident
Let's start with the most clear scenario—when the other driver is completely at fault for causing the car accident that injured you. This means they did something reckless or careless behind the wheel, leading to their crashing into your vehicle.
Maybe the other driver was texting on their phone, taking their eyes off the road and drifting into your lane before slamming into the side of your car. Perhaps they were rushing to get somewhere and decided to blow through a red light at an intersection, T-boning you as you passed through on a green. It can be that the other driver was drunk or high, swerving all over the road before crossing the center line and hitting you head-on.
Regardless of the specific reckless action, if the other driver's negligence caused the accident and your resulting injuries, the law holds them liable for the harm and damages they've caused you. This includes being on the hook for your medical expenses related to the accident. It doesn't matter if the other driver is a terrible person or a usually safe driver who just made one really bad mistake - if their actions behind the wheel caused you to get hurt, they are legally responsible.
In cases where the other driver is 100 percent to blame, you'll file a claim against their auto insurance policy. Every driver must carry a certain amount of liability insurance for situations like this, where they cause an accident and must pay for the other person's damages. The at-fault driver's liability policy should cover your medical bills up to the policy's limits.
Let's break this down with an example. The driver who hit you has a liability policy with a $100,000 limit - a pretty common amount of coverage. If the medical bills for your car accident injuries total $50,000, their insurance company should cover the full amount. You submit the bills to the insurance adjuster, and they cut a check directly to the hospital or doctor who provided your treatment. If your bills fall within the $100,000 policy limit, you shouldn't have to pay a dime out of your pocket. It's all on the at-fault driver's insurance.
But what happens if your medical expenses from the accident exceed the other driver's policy limit? Let's say your injuries were more severe, and your medical bills ended up totaling $150,000 - that's $50,000 more than the other driver's $100,000 limit.
In that case, their insurance will cover the first $100k, but you'd be left holding the bag on the remaining $50,000. If you don't have your health insurance to pick up that balance, you can be looking at some serious medical debt piling up.
That's where hiring a car accident lawyer can make all the difference. An experienced attorney will know how to go after other avenues of compensation beyond just the at-fault driver's auto insurance policy. They will investigate the driver's assets and finances to identify funds to cover your remaining medical bills.
For instance, the at-fault driver may own a home with significant equity or have a well-padded savings account. Your lawyer will work to secure a judgment against the driver and seize their assets to cover your medical expenses in full. You aren't left shouldering the financial burden because of the driver's reckless behavior if the driver was on the job at the time of the accident - like a delivery truck driver - your lawyer can file a claim against the driver's employer and their bigger corporate insurance policies.
The key here is having a skilled legal advocate in your corner who knows how to secure every dollar of compensation you need and deserve after a bad accident. Medical bills can add up astronomically fast, and you don't want to get stuck paying them yourself when someone else causes your injuries. Let your car accident lawyer fight to hold the at-fault driver fully accountable and explore every potential source of recovery to cover your growing hospital and treatment costs.
If the facts show the other driver was to blame for the crash that caused your injuries, know that you've got legal rights and options to make sure they pay for the harm they've caused, especially your medical expenses. Don't let the stress of incoming doctor bills overwhelm you as you try to recover and heal. Get a car accident lawyer immediately so you can focus on getting better while they handle the rest.
Dealing With the Other Driver's Insurance Company
Here's the frustrating thing - even when the other driver is clearly at fault, their insurance company isn't just going to happily pay out the money for your medical treatment. Remember, insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Their goal is to pay out as little as possible. They will likely try to lowball you, drag things out, question whether all your treatment is necessary, or look for anything they can to avoid paying a dime.
This is why you need a good car accident lawyer in your corner. Your lawyer will handle all the communication and negotiation with the insurance company, so you don't have to worry about it. They won't let the insurance company take advantage of you. Your car accident lawyer will ensure they pay every dollar you owe for medical expenses. Let your car accident attorney deal with the insurance headaches while you focus on healing and getting better.
So, Who Pays the Medical Bills?
We now know that in most cases, the driver who caused the accident is responsible for ultimately covering your medical bills. Great, but the hospital and your doctors still want to get paid now, not later. So, who pays the bills as they come in?
The first place your medical providers will look to is your health insurance, if you have it. They'll bill your health insurance company, which should cover it (although you'll still be on the hook for copays and deductibles). Then, your health insurance company will seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver's auto insurer. This is called subrogation.
If you don't have health insurance, or your plan doesn't cover car accident injuries, the bills fall to you. You're responsible for paying them or setting up a payment plan with the hospital or doctor. Those bills can pile up fast and be a huge financial strain.
However, if the other driver caused the crash, their insurance should reimburse you for these expenses. The key is not letting the bills go into collections and hurt your credit - stay on top of them and work out a payment plan while you wait for the settlement money from the other driver.
Unfortunately, getting reimbursed by the other insurance company can take months. And if your injuries are severe, you can max out the other driver's policy limits quickly. If that happens, your car accident lawyer may need to turn to other options, like suing the other driver directly or filing claims with your insurance if you carry Medicaid or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. A good car accident lawyer will know all the options and pursue every avenue to ensure you're covered.
What Happens When the Other Driver Doesn't Have Insurance?
One of the most stressful situations is when you get hurt in an accident caused by a driver who doesn't have insurance at all. What are you supposed to do if they're at fault but don't have an auto policy to pay for your medical treatment? Your health insurance likely won't cover it, and you shouldn't be left holding the bag and drowning in medical debt.
You may have some protection if you have your auto insurance policy. Check if you have medical payments (med pay) coverage or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). Medpay will kick in and cover some of your medical bills, no matter who was at fault. UM/UIM coverage will pay for your expenses if the other driver is at fault but doesn't have insurance.
If you don't have these coverages, or your medical bills are way beyond the limits of your policy, it's time to call a car accident lawyer. Your lawyer will determine whether the uninsured driver has assets that can cover your medical care. They may file a personal injury lawsuit directly against the driver.
If the driver was working during the accident, your lawyer can pursue a claim against the employer. Experienced car accident attorneys have many strategies to help find the money for your medical bills when insurance isn't an option. They can explore all avenues, including seeking compensation through the employer’s insurance or other legal channels, to ensure you get the support you need.
Don't Wait Any Longer to Get Medical Treatment
We've discussed who pays for your medical care after an accident. But here's something important to remember - don't wait to get the medical treatment you need while these payments and legal issues get sorted out. Nothing is more important than your health. If you're hurting, get to a doctor and start the treatment process immediately. Waiting will only make your injuries worse.
Yes, you may have to figure out payment plans with the hospital. Yes, some initial bills may need to be paid out of your pocket until the car accident settlement comes through. But your health has to come first.
Delaying treatment can also hurt any potential legal case you want to bring. The other driver's insurance company will jump on any gap in treatment and use it to argue that you aren't that hurt. So, the best thing to do is get the care you need and let your car accident lawyer work on recouping those expenses from the at-fault driver.
Call a Car Accident Lawyer Today to Protect Your Rights
We've covered a lot of ground in this article, but the bottom line is this: If a car accident wasn't your fault and you've suffered an injury, you shouldn’t be stuck paying the medical bills. That's the responsibility of the at-fault driver and their insurance company. But actually, getting them to pay up can be a huge challenge, especially if they're denying liability or fault is being debated.
To ensure your rights are protected, and you aren't stuck with a mountain of medical debt, call an experienced car accident lawyer immediately. They will fight the insurance companies to make sure your bills are covered. They can find other avenues for payment if insurance falls short. And you can focus on what's most important - getting better.
Time is of the essence after a car accident. Medical bills, repair costs, and lost earnings can quickly become overwhelming. The sooner you contact a skilled car accident lawyer, the sooner you can start focusing on your recovery while they handle the legal complexities. Let them navigate the insurance claims, negotiate on your behalf, and fight for the compensation you deserve so you don’t have to carry that burden alone.
Recovering from an accident is challenging enough without the added stress of dealing with insurance companies, medical bills, and legal procedures. A personal injury attorney can help alleviate this burden by providing professional guidance every step of the way. They’ll ensure your rights are protected, and you have a clear path toward securing fair compensation. Take a deep breath, and let a legal professional fight for your future while you focus on healing.
