The impact of a car accident can create devastating consequences in the form of painful and life-changing injuries. Many factors affect how you recover and rebuild your life. One is your ability to pay for your medical bills. It’s no wonder many victims want to know who should pay their medical bills after an accident.

An experienced San Antonio personal injury lawyer can answer all your questions about your car accident case. They can also provide legal counsel on your case’s direction depending on their findings after assessing or investigating it.

Will My Insurance Cover My Medical Bill If I’m at fault?

The key to understanding medical coverage is knowing the differences in insurance policies. For example, if you have liability coverage and are at fault, the policy pays for your medical expenses, vehicle damage, and injury to the other driver and passengers. It protects you from the risk of liabilities that may be imposed on you by lawsuits filed by the other party.

However, a liability insurance policy doesn’t cover your medical expenses if you’re at fault in an accident. You can, therefore, add a medical payments coverage policy similar to personal injury protection (PIP) coverage to aid in paying your medical bills even if you’re at fault in the accident.

The policy won’t compensate you for lost wages and other damages that may be recoverable under the personal injury protection policy. Before adding supplemental policies, check with your health insurance policy, as you might find that it provides sufficient coverage for the damages you get in a car accident.

Your Other Option is Health Insurance

If you don’t have PIP, your health insurance may be able to pay for your upfront medical expenses after an accident. You may only need to pay a deductible to receive this coverage. However, depending on the severity of the injuries, the bill may exceed the limits of your health insurance policy.

If you’re not liable for the accident, your provider can use an insurance subrogation system to request repayment from the other insurance company. Alternatively, your auto accident attorney in San Antonio can help you file a claim against the at-fault driver and fight to reach a settlement to cater to your medical bills.

If Texas is an “At-Fault” State, Who Pays Medical Bills After a Car Accident?

In an at-fault state, drivers must carry minimum amounts of liability insurance that caters to victims’ medical costs and property damage after an accident. In Texas, the at-fault driver’s liability insurance is responsible for paying up to $30,000 per person injured in the accident and up to $60,0000 per accident in medical expenses.

Given the elements of this law, you must thoroughly investigate the cause of your accident before filing a claim. Determining liability is complex, so you should hire a skilled and dedicated San Antonio auto accident lawyer to help get to the bottom of the causes of the accident.

Can You Receive Medical Treatment Immediately After a Car Accident in Texas?

Car accident victims are advised to seek medical attention immediately after an accident, even if they’re not in pain. While you may want the at-fault driver’s insurance to pay for your medical expenses, that might take time. Resolving a personal injury claim takes time and may require legal action.

Since it will likely take a few months before you receive your settlement from the defendant, one option to have your medical bills covered is to file a claim against your personal injury protection policy (PIP). It’ll pay for your medical expenses to the policy’s limits while your claim against the other party’s insurance is pending.

Medical Bills that May Arise as a Result of a Car Accident

The impact of a car collision can have devastating consequences. The injuries you sustain can expose you to many types of medical bills, some of which include the following:

  • Emergency room bills
  • Hospital bills
  • Prescription medications
  • Surgery costs
  • Lab fees
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
  • Prosthetics
  • Future medical costs related to permanent disability

You may also receive invoices from the healthcare providers and the general hospital bill. Other possible expenses are diagnostic test fees and any surgical and medical care provided.

Your San Antonio auto accident attorney can gather all your medical bills and consult with your physician to estimate the total cost of your medical care. Then, they can submit a demand letter to the at-fault driver’s insurance and fight for the full compensation you deserve.

Can I Negotiate the Cost of My Medical Bills Down?

Your physician may place a medical lien against your settlement or judgment award. It’s a legal claim for a portion of your compensation to recover what they spent on your care. That happens when you have outstanding medical bills when you file a personal lawsuit in Texas.

With a medical lien in place, you must repay your medical debt using any compensation you recover in your personal injury case. In most cases, the lien automatically deducts the medical expenses you owe from your settlement. You must also pay other costs like attorney’s fees before keeping any remaining amount.

Your personal injury attorney in San Antonio may help you negotiate your medical bills or medical lien downward. They can review your medical bills and debt collector statements to ensure the hospital isn’t overcharging you. A skilled accident lawyer in San Antonio, TX, knows how to maximize your financial relief even after you’ve paid everything you owe in medical expenses.

An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Helping You Recover Your Medical Costs

Sustaining injuries in a car accident can be devastating, especially if the emergency treatment and medical bills get out of hand. Apart from your medical insurance, you can also pay the bills using auto insurance or claim compensation from the at-fault driver through a personal injury lawsuit. Contact a skilled car accident attorney to help you when a legal case is involved.

Having a legal expert from our firm by your side is the best way to protect yourself financially after a car crash. We can explain the medical bill payment options and help you pursue compensation from the at-fault party. We have skilled and passionate auto accident lawyers who can help you in your case. Contact us to schedule a FREE case assessment.