Who Pays for My Medical Bills After an Accident?

If you were seriously hurt in a car accident, you might wonder how you will afford your medical bills. Who is going to pay for them? The short answer is that you’re expected to pay for them, whether through your health insurance or out of pocket if you’re not insured. However, if you didn’t cause the accident, there’s a good chance you will get reimbursed for your medical bills by the insurance company of the person who caused the crash. Here’s what to know about paying your medical bills after an accident in Texas.

Do You Have Health Insurance?

If you have health insurance, you’ll need to depend on it to pay your medical bills for now. This means you will have to pay copays for any doctor appointments and prescriptions you need to treat your injuries. If you have coinsurance or deductibles, expect to pay for these, too. 

Even though having health insurance will save money compared to paying out of pocket, it can still be a financial burden to pay copays while recovering. This is especially the case if you have to take time off work for follow-up doctor visits, medications, physical therapy, etc. This is why it’s important to seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. You may not get the money for a few months, but at least you’ll be able to pay yourself back eventually. 

What If You Don’t Have Health Insurance?

If you don’t have health insurance, paying for medical care after a car accident is daunting. However, you have options. First, look at your car insurance policy to see if you have personal injury protection, or PIP. All car insurance providers in Texas are required to offer this coverage, but some drivers decline it. If you accepted it, your medical expenses will be covered up to the maximum amount, which could range from $2,500 to $10,000.

An alternative to PIP is MedPay. This works similarly to PIP, as it will cover your medical costs up to the maximum. So, check your policy for either MedPay or PIP. If you don’t have either, you may have to pay out of pocket for medical costs or find a doctor who can wait to bill you after you get compensation from insurance. 

How Can a Lawyer Help?

If you’re worried about medical costs, hiring a personal injury lawyer is important to help you file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurer. The sooner you submit a claim, the sooner you can expect the compensation you need to pay your medical bills or get reimbursed for the bills you already paid. 

The right Texas attorney will take on all the work of filing a claim against the insurer and will file a lawsuit if necessary. If you’re ready to meet with a lawyer to discuss your claim, contact our Texas law firm at (972) 573-4532.