How Do My Medical Bills Get Paid After a Car Accident?
After a car accident, the medical bills can pile up quickly and can become quite difficult to manage. Your focus should be on your recovery, allowing you to get comprehensive and full care so that you can recover in the best possible way. It is common for victims to worry about their medical bills and how they are going to pay for those expenses, especially when they are unable to work. Our attorneys can offer help to you.
At Glisson Law, we work closely with our clients to ensure they have full access to the compensation they are owed after an accident like this. Our car accident attorneys are happy to offer a free consultation for you to discuss what legal rights you may have. Do not wait to call us first.
Defining who is to blame for your injuries
The first step in recovering damages for your medical bills starts with understanding who is to blame. Often, the fault is determined at the time of the accident and assigned by the police officer. If the other driver is at fault for the injuries and damages you have, you can expect that person’s insurance to pay for your medical bills.
This only happens if your insurance claim is found in your favor. That means that the insurance company may approve the losses and pay you, or if they refuse to do so, you must go to court. At that time, the settlement you receive is used to pay for your medical bills.
What happens right now, though?
Often, settlements for car accidents take time. During that time, you may need to seek out medical care multiple times as you work towards recovery. What happens to the medical bills then?
There are various scenarios that can occur. If you have health insurance, your health insurance provider should cover the costs owed at the time of the incident and all losses after as long as it fits within your coverage limits. Any copayments, deductibles, or other fees you need to pay are often put aside until your case is settled in a court of law or through the insurance company.
If you have Medicare or Medicaid, those services can also cover the cost of your immediate medical needs. It is worth it to ensure that you document every medical bill paid so you know exactly what to expect.
Negotiating with the hospital is often the next step. Communicate with the care provider that you are pursuing a settlement for the losses you have, including the medical bills they are charging you. The hospital may agree to waive some of your fees to allow you to continue to receive care with the expectation that you will repay those costs later.
What if the other driver did not have car insurance?
One of the most challenging situations for many drivers is this one. The other driver caused the accident and does not have insurance to cover your losses. In these situations, your own health insurance would cover the costs. Also, note that your car insurance may also help if you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. This type of insurance coverage pays for your damages when the other driver does not have enough insurance (or any at all) to cover the costs.
Medical bills are paid when the settlement comes in
Your attorney can help you to negotiate the best circumstances with medical providers who may be waiting for payment. The ultimate goal is to pay off these bills once your car accident settlement is paid to you. In simple cases, this may be just a few weeks or months. In more severe cases or those in which the insurance company is trying to refute the claim, it can take much longer.
Once the settlement comes in, a portion of the money can be used to cover the medical bills you owe. The health insurance policy you have may go after the losses they paid out as well, which are the responsibility of the other driver.
Your claim should include all of your medical bills
When you complete a claim for the insurance company after your car accident, you should document all of the medical costs you have. These costs fall under your economic losses. They should include any type of medical care and cost, including:
- Emergency medical care costs
- Costs related to your in-hospital stay
- Medications given to you
- Surgical procedures
- Specialist care
- Complication care, such as infection control
- Rehabilitation costs associated with the accident
- Modifications to your home due to your mobility losses
- Transportation costs to and from medical appointments
- Any medical equipment you need to pursue
- Long-term care management
- In-home health aides
When you submit a claim for the losses you have to the insurance company of the responsible party, clear and full documentation of these losses is critical. Our attorneys will help you to do just that using the medical bills charged to you by your providers.
Also, note that your medical care may need to go on for a long time. As a result, you may need to file a claim that includes estimated costs for your medical care in the future. Though not easy to calculate, our team will work with medical experts and others to document what your losses could be in the future.
Having a car accident attorney by your side is critical. It can make the difference in ensuring you receive full and fair compensation that includes your medical bills. Let us help you at Glisson Law. Our office is in Alton, and we serve clients throughout the region, including Belleville, Edwardsville, St. Clair, and Madison Counties, all of Southwestern Illinois and Missouri.
Schedule a free case evaluation with our attorneys now to discuss your case with a trusted, experienced professional. Let us help you ensure your medical bills are paid properly after a car accident. Call our office or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation today.