Ultimately, the person who caused the collision is responsible for the damages, but their insurance company typically pays your bills as part of a final settlement or verdict. While your case develops, you have several options to cover your immediate costs, such as your own auto or health insurance.
A personal injury attorney helps you manage these options and holds the correct parties accountable for your car accident claim.
Key Takeaways for Medical Bills in a Car Accident
- The at-fault driver's liability insurance pays for your medical bills in a lump-sum settlement at the end of your claim.
- Your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is often the first line of defense for paying initial medical costs, regardless of who was at fault.
- You can use your personal health insurance to pay for treatment; however, your insurer will likely seek reimbursement from your final settlement.
- An experienced attorney can manage communication with insurance providers and medical billers to protect your financial health while you recover.
Your Immediate Options for Covering Medical Costs
After an accident, medical bills start arriving long before you receive a settlement check, and you need a way to cover these costs now. Texas drivers have several options through their own insurance policies to manage these immediate expenses.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
In Texas, all auto insurance policies include Personal Injury Protection (PIP) unless you reject it in writing. This is a valuable no-fault benefit, which means you can use it regardless of who caused the crash.
PIP helps cover medical bills and a portion of lost wages up to your policy limits. You access these benefits by filing a claim directly with your own auto insurance provider. Using your PIP coverage doesn’t prevent you from making a claim against the at-fault driver.
Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)
Some drivers have Medical Payments coverage, or MedPay, instead of (or in addition to) PIP. MedPay is also a no-fault coverage that pays for medical expenses related to a crash. It differs from PIP because it doesn’t cover lost wages.
Like PIP, you file a MedPay claim with your own insurer to receive timely payment for your initial treatments.
Your Personal Health Insurance
Using health insurance after a wreck is another common way to handle your medical bills. Your doctors and hospitals can submit bills directly to your health insurance company for payment. This can keep your accounts from going into collections while your car accident claim is pending.
Your health insurer has a right to be paid back from any settlement you later receive from the at-fault driver’s policy. This is known as subrogation; a lawyer can often negotiate the amount you must pay back.
The Role of the At-Fault Driver's Insurance
Many people believe the at-fault driver's insurance pays for treatment as it happens. This is a common and understandable misconception. In reality, the other driver's liability insurance doesn’t pay your medical bills individually.
Instead, their insurance company investigates the accident to determine fault and the extent of your damages. The adjuster then calculates a total settlement amount using your medical records and bills.
The insurer offers this compensation as a single, lump-sum payment at the end of your case, after you sign a release agreeing not to pursue further damages.
When the At-Fault Driver Lacks Proper Insurance
Finding out the at-fault driver is uninsured or carries too little insurance to cover your costs adds another layer of stress. This is where your own insurance policy can once again provide a solution.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is an optional but highly recommended part of your own auto policy. It acts as a substitute for the at-fault driver’s missing or insufficient liability insurance.
If the responsible driver has no insurance, your UM coverage can pay for your medical bills and other damages up to your policy limits. If their policy limits are too low to cover your full expenses, your UIM coverage can make up the difference.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Helps With Car Accident Medical Bills
Knowing who pays medical bills in a car accident is the first step; managing the process is the next. A personal injury lawyer works on your behalf to protect your physical and financial recovery. Their involvement can directly impact the successful payment of your medical expenses.
A lawyer handles your claim in several ways:
- Investigating and Identifying Fault: Your attorney investigates your car crash to gather evidence and identify all responsible parties.
- Managing All Communications: They become the point of contact for all insurance adjusters, medical providers, and collection agencies.
- Securing Medical Treatment: If you have trouble accessing care, a lawyer can issue a letter of protection to a medical provider, which is a promise that their bill will be paid from the future settlement.
- Negotiating Medical Liens: They challenge and negotiate health insurance subrogation claims and hospital liens to reduce the amount you must pay back from your settlement.
- Pursuing Full Compensation: An attorney builds a comprehensive claim that includes current medical bills, future medical needs, lost income, and pain and suffering.
FAQ for Who Pays Medical Bills in a Car Accident?
Do I Have To Pay My Medical Bills If the Accident Wasn't My Fault?
You’re initially responsible for ensuring your medical providers are paid in a timely manner, even if another driver caused the crash. You can use your PIP, MedPay, or health insurance to cover these costs while your claim against the at-fault driver develops.
Eventually, the at-fault party's insurance may reimburse these expenses through a settlement, but you must manage the bills in the meantime.
Should I Use My Health Insurance To Pay for Car Accident Injuries?
Using health insurance after a wreck is a way to get necessary medical treatment without paying entirely out of pocket. It helps prevent your medical accounts from becoming delinquent.
Your health insurer will have a subrogation right, meaning they will expect to be reimbursed from the final settlement you receive from the car insurance company.
Who Pays Medical Bills in a Car Accident If Fault Is Disputed?
If fault is unclear, your own no-fault coverage, such as PIP or MedPay, can help. You can also use your health insurance. An attorney can help by launching an investigation to prove the other party was at fault and hold their insurance company accountable.
Take Control of Your Recovery
Taking decisive action can protect your health and your financial stability. The team at Bailey & Galyen is ready to provide the clear answers and strong advocacy you need.
Contact us today at (817) 345-0580 to discuss your case. We can clarify your options and handle the complex negotiations for you.