Medical Bills Car Accident Settlement: Who Pays?
Many people involved in motor vehicle accidents need immediate medical attention. Some injuries can require extensive medical treatment or rehabilitation. Typically, the person who receives medical treatment is the person who gets the bill. But who pays if another motorist caused the injuries?
The insurance company representing the driver who caused the crash should pay for your injuries. But you may need to rely on your own health insurance initially. You should never delay getting medical attention because of concerns about your ability to pay the medical bills. Always go to a doctor and have a complete evaluation after a crash. This ensures that you can get the most accurate diagnosis immediately. It also provides documentation of your injuries related to the accident if you need to file a claim later.
If you suffered severe injuries caused by another driver in Corpus Christi or the Rio Grande Valley, you should seek the guidance of a skilled attorney to seek all the car accident compensation you deserve. Do not accept a settlement offer from another driver’s insurer without consulting a lawyer first.
Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., has a record of successfully settling motor vehicle accidents to the benefit of our clients. We can review your accident and help you understand all of your legal options for pursuing compensation to pay your medical bills and expenses related to a car accident injury. Call us at (844) 426-6000 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.
Can You Receive Medical Treatment Immediately After a Car Accident in Corpus Christi?
In many cases, car accident victims are transported from the accident scene to hospitals and trauma centers for emergency treatment. Other accident victims who have less severe injuries may visit their primary care physician on their own.
You will want the at-fault driver’s insurance to pay for your medical expenses. But resolving the claim can take time and may require legal action. While your claim is pending, if you have health insurance, you may want to use your own health insurance to pay for your ongoing medical treatment. Your health insurance company may then seek to recover some of its costs from the individual who caused your injuries. In some cases, hospitals or other medical care providers may agree to delay collection of payment for services after our law office notifies them that our attorneys are pursuing a claim on your behalf.
Do not avoid seeking medical attention after an accident because you fear the medical bills. Many serious injuries do not involve immediate symptoms, and the sooner you are checked out by your doctor, the better your chances of a complete recovery. We urge clients to obtain all the medical care necessary. Then we will seek to recover compensation from the at-fault motorist’s insurance company when we know the full amount of your losses and injury-related expenses.
Texas is an “At-Fault” State. Who Pays Medical Bills After a Car Accident?
In Texas, the driver who is determined to be at fault for a collision is responsible for covering all the resulting bills. However, before the at-fault driver’s insurance company will reimburse an accident victim for any of their bills, the victim will have to prove that the other motorist caused the crash.
It will likely take a number of months to recover compensation in a car accident settlement. Some negligent drivers and their insurance companies may aggressively deny responsibility for an accident, requiring you to file a lawsuit to press your case.
One option to get your initial medical bills paid is to file a claim against your own personal injury protection PIP policy, if you have it. PIP will cover your medical expenses up to the limits of the policy, while the claim against the at-fault driver is pending. Insurers in Texas are required to offer PIP as part of auto insurance coverage. You may have it unless you especially declined it. If you have concerns about your ability to pay your medical bills after a car accident, you should strongly consider PIP coverage.
Even without PIP coverage, your health insurance will pay for many of your medical bills after a car accident. However, with a serious accident, your medical bills may exceed the limits of your health insurance and other insurance policies. You will want to file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance to recover compensation for your losses.
Getting compensation from a negligent driver is a complicated process, usually involving negotiation with the driver’s insurance company. If you have injuries from a car accident, you should let an experienced lawyer deal with the insurer.
Often, the other insurance company makes an effort to contact you soon after your crash. However, it’s best to limit what you say. Do not provide a recorded statement to a claims adjuster without legal representation.
Your attorney can usually submit a demand letter that seeks payment for all of your medical bills as well as other damages. The insurance company may make a low settlement offer. Your lawyer will attempt to negotiate a fairer settlement.
If the insurer refuses to agree to settle, you may have to take the other driver to court. Our injury attorneys at Herrman & Herrman will discuss with you whether a lawsuit is appropriate in your case. If you can prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the other driver was at fault, you could be awarded compensation for all of your medical bills and more.
An attorney will be extremely beneficial to you in these circumstances.
Medical Bills that May Arise as a Result of a Car Accident
The types of medical expenses that you may face as a result of a car accident include:
- Emergency room bills
- Hospital bills
- Surgery costs
- Lab fees
- Physical therapy, rehabilitation expenses
- Prescription medications
- Pain management
- Prosthetics
- Future medical costs related to a permanent disability
It’s also not uncommon to receive separate invoices from physicians or physician groups in addition to a hospital bill. Doctor fees could include review of diagnostic tests and any surgical or medical care provided. You could also be billed for tests and procedures, including blood tests, cardiology, radiology tests, or magnetic resonance imaging.
Physical or occupational therapy or rehabilitation results in more fees, as do drugs and medications your doctor may prescribe to treat your injuries. It is important that you follow the doctor’s instructions and attend all follow-up appointments.
Our attorneys at Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C. can gather your medical bills, consult with your doctor and estimate the present and future cost of medical care. We will submit a demand letter to the appropriate insurers, seeking full reimbursement for your expenses.
Can a Car Accident Attorney Help Me Recover Compensation for Pain and Suffering?
Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., can work to make sure you can obtain all of the medical treatment that you need while we are pursuing compensation on your behalf from a negligent driver.
Our firm will conduct an independent investigation to determine all the contributing factors in your crash. In complex, multi-vehicle collisions, we use accident reconstruction specialists to help understand what happened.
We will preserve all relevant evidence and identify all liable parties. Some crashes may stem from a vehicle’s mechanical issues. In this case, maintenance companies or parts manufacturers may be responsible.
If your injuries keep you out of work, Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., can help you recover all lost wages from the negligent driver. Additionally, noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering, may be sought.
An insurance company for the negligent driver could present you with a financial offer to resolve your case without going to court. However, be aware that most initial car accident settlement offers from insurers are low. Individuals who accept these initial settlement offers all too often learn that the amount that they were offered does not cover future bills and other expenses. When this happens, the victim must pay for all those costs out of pocket.
You do not have to accept a lowball offer from an insurance company. Working with a seasoned personal injury attorney at Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C. will give you the best chance of securing the maximum car accident settlement possible.
Did you sustain catastrophic injuries or was your loved one killed in a car accident in Corpus Christi or another community in Nueces County? Do not wait to contact Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C. for help. We have offices in Corpus Christi, McAllen, San Antonio, and Brownsville, and our staff speaks English and Spanish.
Our firm will fight to make sure that you receive every single dollar you need for all your past, present, and future medical care related to the accident. Call (844) 426-6000 or contact us online to take advantage of a free consultation.
