If you’ve been injured in an accident due to someone else’s fault, you may be wondering who will be paying for your immediate medical treatments. Keep reading to find out how your medical bills will be paid. 

If you’ve been injured in an accident, seek medical attention immediately. Once you have been to the hospital or seen a healthcare provider, the medical bills will soon start rolling in. If you get into an accident, more often than not, the injured person will be responsible for paying their own medical bills. It is commonly mistaken by clients that their attorney will pay for their medical bills until their settlement comes in. This is not true. Your attorney will keep track of all your medical bills during the claim process so that they can ask for the appropriate amount of damages. The type of accident you are involved in, the state you live in, and the type of insurance coverage involved, determines how your medical bills get paid on an ongoing basis.

Car Accidents

If you're injured in a car accident, immediate payment of your medical bills often depends on whether the accident happened in a “no-fault” state. No-fault car insurance simply means that your personal automobile insurer will pay some or all of your medical bills if you get into a car accident, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. After your medical bills exceed the state’s “no-fault” limit, you are responsible for paying them. If you get into a car accident in a state that does not have no-fault insurance, you will be responsible for paying your medical bills as they come in.  About a dozen states follow some version of a "no-fault" car insurance system. These states include: (District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Utah).

Insurance policies can be confusing and overwhelming due to the complexity and length of each contract. Auto insurance policies can also include a variety of different insurance. A typical car accident will most likely involve four or more types of insurance from multiple companies. This is why hiring an attorney can be useful in helping you to understand and utilize your insurance. Having an experienced attorney at your side who understands not only the complexities of the law but also of insurance, can be a life-saver. 

Slip and Fall Accidents

In a slip and fall case, the injured person will generally be responsible for payment of his or her medical bills, unless the property owner’s liability insurance policy includes “med pay” coverage. If the policy does include “med pay," then the insurer will likely pay the injured person's medical bills up to the “med pay” policy limits. Following that, the injured person is responsible for paying the bills.

Work-Related Accidents

If you get injured in a work-related accident and you make a workers' compensation claim, the workers’ compensation insurer will likely pay all of your medical bills. You do not typically have to pay any bills or deductibles.

Making Sure Bills Get Paid

Any time you receive a medical bill, you should send a copy to your attorney. You should keep your attorney informed on when you are visiting the doctor, what happens at those appointments, and when you are released from that doctor. Your attorney will have access to your medical records during the case, so it is important to communicate on a regular basis. Once your treatment is complete, your attorney will request copies of your bills from each medical provider and submit them to the responsible party’s insurance company. Do not allow your bills to pile up during treatment. If you do not start paying your medical bills when due, they can transfer to collections and harm your credit. You should take conscious steps to make sure these medical companies know your situation and bills get paid. They may be able to work with you and allow you to make smaller payments at a time. Remember, it is your responsibility to handle your medical bills. 

Hiring an Attorney

Dealing with the aftermath of an accident can be complicated, confusing, and frustrating. Hiring an attorney can help you through this process. Your attorney will help ensure that your bills are paid, that everything is done in the most legal and efficient way possible and that you are compensated when your case has been processed. At The Cochran Firm, we strive to help our clients get maximum compensation for their injuries. We have secured over $35 billion in verdicts, settlements, and judgments for our clients. Visit our website to meet our attorneys, find a location near you, and to read more about important legal topics. How can we help you? Call our office today to set up a free consultation and case evaluation. Call us at 1-800-THE-FIRM.