How Do You Pay Medical Bills After a Car Accident?

How Do You Pay Medical Bills After a Car Accident?

If you’re in an accident with piles of medical bills, you might be wondering who is going to pay them. There are a lot of factors that determine who pays your bills. It might depend on what kind of insurance you have. The insurance companies first look at which driver caused the accident. In some cases, state laws regulate who pays the bills. In a few states, if you are even just 10% responsible for the accident, you are responsible for your own medical bills and can’t make a claim against the other driver.

Who Is Responsible for the Accident?  

Generally, it is the driver at fault for the accident who is responsible for the other driver’s medical bills. If you live in a no-fault state, such as Florida, you actually carry insurance that covers your own medical bills, regardless of which driver caused the accident. Even so, insurance will not pay medical bills as they come in. Generally, the insurance company gives you payment once your treatment is complete.

What Do You Do About Bills?

Unfortunately, healthcare providers always bill the patient. Many times, hospitals won’t wait to receive payment from the insurance company, making you responsible for the bills. How do you keep your medical bills from going to collections if you cannot afford to pay them?

  1. Use your personal health insurance and pay the copay and deductible. Keep any receipts as to what you paid and what your insurance paid. When you do get a settlement, your health insurance may want to be paid back for their expenses on your behalf. Using your personal health insurance can keep the bills paid to reduce your stress.
  2. Discuss payment options with the healthcare provider. If you don’t let the hospital know that you’re waiting on a claim, they may send your account to collections. You may be able to work out a payment plan while you’re waiting for the auto insurance to settle your case.
  3. Check with your auto insurance to see if you have any options to pay your medical bills with it. If the other driver was uninsured and you have uninsured motorist coverage, your bills may be covered.

What Not to Do After an Accident 

To protect your rights after an accident, don’t accept money from the other driver or insurance company until you are sure you don’t have any more expenses. Once you take money, you cannot ask for any more or file a claim for more. Talk to a car accident lawyer, like a car accident lawyer, about your case to take the right steps to get the compensation you need.