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How Are Medical Bills Paid After an Auto Accident?

If you have been hurt in a serious accident in California, one of your most pressing questions is probably “How will my medical bills be paid?” Hospital visits, surgeries, appointments with specialists, lab work—it all adds up and can become overwhelming very quickly.

First off, who is responsible for your medical bills if you are injured in an auto accident? If another driver caused the accident, that driver (and their insurance company) is responsible for your medical bills and other damages. However, the responsible party might not be so quick to admit fault.

Paying Medical Bills While Awaiting a Personal Injury Settlement

In this likely scenario, you will still need to get treated for your injuries right away. If the responsible party will not admit liability or offers you a lowball settlement, you should file a personal injury claim. In the meantime, there are a few different ways for your medical bills to be paid while you wait on your claim.

  1. Your medical providers can bill your private health insurance. The policy’s normal co-pays and deductibles will still apply. However, you can be reimbursed for all such expenses if you win your case. Your health insurance company can also be reimbursed from your personal injury settlement.
  2. If you have government health insurance such as Medicare or Medi-Cal, your medical providers can bill them as well.
  3. If you do not have health insurance, you might need to seek providers who will work for a medical lien. In this case, the providers will treat you and delay payment until your case is resolved.
  4. In the event that you are covered by more than one insurance policy, you should discuss the best course of action with your personal injury attorney. Some policies cover different treatments and might have different co-pay amounts. You should try to determine the best way to submit your claims to avoid paying too much out of pocket.

Regardless of how your bills are being paid while you await your personal injury claim, you will want to keep a thorough record of the treatment you receive. Also be sure to keep track of any expenses you pay out of pocket.

Don’t Accept the Insurance Company’s Low Offer

Remember that the responsible party’s insurance company will likely try to settle your claim for less than it is worth. If you accept a lowball offer, you might not end up with enough money to cover your medical bills. That is why it is important to bring your case to a personal injury attorney. Wait to accept any settlement offers until your attorney has reviewed your case.

“Medical bills after an accident can rack up quickly, leaving accident victims in a dire financial situation. Our firm works to help our clients secure enough compensation to cover their medical treatment, as well as other damages,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.

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