Who Pays for Car Accident Medical Bills?

Auto accidents constitute some of the most harrowing experiences most people go through. With casualties being a common occurrence in the country, it’s crucial to indicate that the number of people struggling with car accident medical bills has also increased.

However, the most demanding aspect of every road accident involves dealing with medical expenses. You must be wondering who has to cover such costs, especially when you were not at fault for the accident. Understanding this issue will enable you to address future car accident medical bills.

AttorneyJeff provides experienced guidance in California car accident claims. It’s our goal to help you recover the cost of your medical bills. Contact us to learn more from a free consultation.

Who Pays Medical Bills in A Car Accident?

As you already know, looking for immediate medical assistance after an accident should be a priority. You’ll not have the time to determine who is at fault for the accident. Therefore, for the time being, you’ll be responsible for your medical bills.

However, if the auto injury claim is determined in your favor, you’ll be reimbursed for all the expenses you’ve used to cover your medical costs. Also, there’s a possibility you will get additional compensation, as the court may determine. But first, here are some ways to pay for auto accident medical expenses.

Private health insurance or Medicaid

This is one of the most common ways people pay for their medical bills after an accident. If you have a private health insurance policy or Medicaid, your insurer will be responsible for paying a certain amount of your auto accident-related medical expenses.

However, it’s important to note that your car insurance company is not required to reimburse you for all the medical expenses. In most cases, they will only be required to cater to a certain percentage of your hospital bill.

For instance, if your insurance policy has a limit of $5,000 for auto accident claims, the company will only cater to $5,000 of your medical expenses, even if the total amount is higher. Therefore, you’ll have to pay the remaining costs out of your pocket.

Auto insurance medical payments coverage

Auto insurance companies in the United States offer different types of coverage. One such coverage is known as medical payments coverage or MedPay. If you have this type of coverage, your insurer will be required to reimburse you for a specific amount of your medical bills regardless of who was at fault for the accident.

The reimbursement limit is usually indicated in your insurance policy. Unlike other types of auto insurance coverage, MedPay is not mandatory in most states. Therefore, you’ll have to check with your insurer whether they offer this coverage. This means you might have to pay your medical bills out of your pocket if you don’t have this type of coverage.

No-Fault insurance states

In states with no-fault insurance laws, every driver must have their own auto insurance policy. The primary purpose of such a law is to ensure that drivers can quickly get reimbursement for their auto accident-related medical expenses without waiting for the court to determine who was at fault for the accident.

In states with no-fault laws, your auto insurance company will be required to reimburse you for a specific amount of your medical bills regardless of who was at fault. The limit is usually indicated in your insurance policy.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

This is a type of coverage that is similar to MedPay. However, the main difference is that PIP is mandatory in states with no-fault insurance laws. If you live in such a state, your insurer will be required to provide this coverage.

PIP will cover a specific amount of your medical bills and other expenses such as lost wages and funeral costs. The limit is usually indicated in your insurance policy. You need to check whether your state has no-fault insurance laws and whether your insurer offers PIP coverage.

What About Medical Liens?

A medical lien is a type of claim that allows your healthcare provider to put a lien on your auto insurance settlement. This means the provider can get reimbursement for the medical expenses they’ve covered on your behalf from your auto insurance settlement.

One of the advantages of a medical lien is that you don’t have to pay anything out of your pocket. However, the main downside is that you might not get the total settlement amount because the healthcare provider will take their share first.

It’s important to note that not all healthcare providers offer medical liens. You need to check whether your provider offers this type of claim.

Get Help From an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer at AttorneyJeff

You don’t have to go through this process of paying for your medical bills alone. An experienced auto accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve. They can also help you understand your options for paying your medical bills.

AttorneyJeff offers experienced California personal injury lawyers helping accident victims get the compensation they’re entitled to. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to help you understand your legal options. Call us today or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation.

Car Accident Medical Bill FAQs