How to Pay for Medical Bills From a Car Accident

Car Accident Medical Bills Lawyer

When a person is injured in a motor vehicle accident, medical bills can accumulate rapidly, with an ambulance ride alone costing a significant amount. Therefore, it is crucial to understand your legal rights, know which bills you are responsible for, and be aware of the appropriate timelines for payment. 

After a car accident, you need to know under what scenario the other driver will be responsible for paying your vehicle repair and medical costs. If you are ever injured in a car accident, be sure to seek medical treatment. You don’t want to wait because it can hurt your health and potentially hinder your lawsuit. 

The health care system is confusing enough as it is, but once you involve an accident, lawyers, and court delays, the entire medical bill situation can become overwhelming. You will start having follow-up visits, tests, medicines to buy, physical therapy, etc., and the list goes on.

Don’t take this headache on yourself. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the complex process of managing medical bills after a car accident.

Why Contact The Law Offices of Daniel Kim?

Daniel Kim is a highly skilled and dedicated personal injury lawyer based in Orange County. Our law firm represents clients throughout California, ensuring they receive the maximum compensation for their injuries. 

Daniel and his team have successfully assisted thousands of injury victims, including those involved in car, motorcycle, truck, pedestrian, bicycle, and rideshare accidents.

We understand the mental and emotional stress that car accidents can cause, which is why we prioritize our clients’ well-being. Daniel Kim also has an extensive network of doctors, physical therapists, and medical experts to support your recovery journey. 

Why Is Medical Treatment Important After a Car Accident?

If you are injured in an auto accident, your health should be your top priority. Some clients may delay getting treatment because they are worried about their medical bills, even if they have health insurance.  

If you suffer from a car accident injury, such as whiplash, broken bones, or even lacerations, seek immediate medical care to identify your injuries. Don’t deny emergency medical transport in an ambulance from the accident scene or postpone seeing a doctor the next day. 

Delaying medical care can make your injuries worse and prolong the healing process. In California, auto insurance companies use the delay in treatment excuse as their main reason for denying a personal injury claim or trying to lower the value of your settlement. 

Can You Get Medical Treatment if You Don’t Have Health Insurance?

Even if you do not have health insurance, you are entitled to medical treatment. Under both state and federal law, hospitals are required to provide emergency treatment to any patient injured in a motor vehicle crash.

If you have health insurance, you will be billed directly by the healthcare provider. While many hospitals and doctors might offer discounts, there is nothing legally binding them to treat people for free. In other words, people without health insurance can get billed directly for any services they receive.

Those without insurance will not benefit from contractual reductions required by medical insurance companies or legally mandated reductions in Medi-Cal or Medicare rates.

It can be extremely distressing to see medical bills pile up. You can be billed for the full amount and sent to collections for not paying the bills. All of this is just another reason to call The Law Offices of Daniel Kim for help.

What If…

You Are Responsible for the Accident

Determining liability for car accident injuries depends on who is at fault. If you are at fault, you will be financially liable to pay your own as well as the victim’s medical bills, car repairs, and other losses. 

In these instances, your insurance company will conduct its own investigation to determine the extent to which you were at fault. 

Even if you are not in an accident, you need to think ahead and decide what type of insurance coverage you want. Is the state minimum enough, or do you want coverage for uninsured motorists, theft, etc.?

The higher your liability coverage, the higher your insurance premiums will be because you have more protection in case of an accident. Remember, having more liability coverage means you won’t have to pay as much out-of-pocket if you are at fault in a car accident.

You Are the Victim of the Accident

If you were not at fault, you need to understand how the process plays out. After an accident, you should call the police so they can document everything and create a police report. 

One thing to remember is that you don’t want to say things like “I’m sorry” at the scene. Even if the at-fault driver was distracted or speeding,  it’s best to keep as quiet as possible until you contact our law firm. This can be used against you later once your accident personal injury claim is filed.

The next step is to contact your own insurance company about the accident. Of course, you can call us first if you have questions.

Then, we will need to contact the other driver’s insurance company as soon as possible to help expedite the claims process.

Collecting payments to cover your medical bills can take time, so keep detailed records of everything and inform our law firm about the status of your treatment.

The Other Driver Does Not Have Insurance

If you are hit by an uninsured driver, it’s a different story. The best way to be prepared for this situation is to have your own uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) auto insurance coverage. 

Having this type of coverage will help you pay for your medical bills if you are hit by a driver without insurance. In California, relying on the other party to have adequate insurance is risky. An estimated 17% of drivers in California do not carry car insurance.

Who Will Pay for My Medical Expenses?

Many clients assume that their personal injury lawyer will pay medical bills until a settlement is reached. While we do keep track of all your medical expenses as your case progresses, the responsibility for paying these bills falls on the injured person once the case is settled.

The situation is different for vehicle damage; your or the other driver’s insurance often covers these costs quickly. In most personal injury cases, the settlement process can start after you complete your medical treatment. 

Our law firm ensures all medical and hospital bills are collected and sent to the insurance company for review. This helps us request adequate compensation to cover all your treatments and losses. It also makes negotiations smoother and more efficient by eliminating uncertainties like pending surgeries.

Address any outstanding medical bills from medical providers and inform them that you are dealing with an auto accident. This will prevent your medical bills from being sent to collections. 

If the other driver is at fault, they must cover your damages, including medical expenses, in a personal injury lawsuit. Remember, the defendant does not have to pay your medical bills as they are incurred.

If you have medical payments coverage ( Med Pay) or personal injury protection (PIP) on your insurance policy, these can also help pay for your medical expenses up to your policy limits.

What is Subrogation?

If your health insurance company or another type of coverage pays for your medical bills and then later awards you money related to those bills, the company will ask for a repayment.

This process is called subrogation and is meant, in part, to prevent victims from being compensated twice for an injury. 

Contact The Law Offices of Daniel Kim for a Free Consultation

If you are suffering from serious injuries after a car accident, do not ignore medical attention. Your health and well-being are your top priority. If your injuries were caused by the negligence of someone else, they are responsible for paying. However, the insurance company does not always play fair when it comes to paying settlements.

At The Law Offices of Daniel Kim, we specialize in obtaining maximum compensation for injured victims of motor vehicle accidents in California. Our experienced legal team will handle all aspects of your case, from gathering evidence and negotiating with insurance companies to representing you in court if necessary. We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing until we win your case. Let us fight for your rights so you can focus on your recovery.

Contact us today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you get the justice and fair compensation you deserve.