How Are Medical Bills Paid When You’re Injured In An Auto Accident?

If you were injured while involved in a car accident, you'll immediately start racking up some major medical bills that you shouldn't have to pay for. However, it is still going to be your responsibility to pay for those bills until any settlement is made with the responsible driver. Here is what you need to know about paying off those bills from your personal injury.

Do You Use Health Insurance?

Anybody that has health insurance should use their health insurance for their treatment. This may not always be possible, such as if you were taken in an ambulance to an ER that is out of your network, but using your health insurance is going to guarantee that you pay the least amount of money possible if, for some reason, you are unable to receive a settlement. You'll be getting the reduced rates that your health insurance agency has agreed to with the medical provider, and that should keep the costs low.

What Happens If You Win Your Personal Injury Case?

Be aware that you likely have terms with your health insurance provider for situations exactly like this where you have a lawsuit against a third party to recover the damages. You may actually be responsible for paying back the insurance provider for all of their expenses since the other person ends up paying due to the settlement. 

This means that in order to make a personal injury lawsuit worth it, you must be able to claim money that goes beyond just your major medical bills. You will be able to win damages for things such as pain and suffering, which will go directly to you rather than toward your medical bills.

How Do You Deal With The Bills As They Come In?

If you are capable of paying medical bills as they start coming in, then you should definitely pay them. However, you may be in a situation where you do not have the money to pay them and you are expecting to receive compensation. The responsible person's health insurance provider is not going to give you money for those bills either because you have not reached a final settlement, and they will often want to wait to settle the case until the injury is finished and all bills have come in.

If you do have late fees and penalties, you will need to add those to the money you are requesting as part of your personal injury settlement. These are all costs you wouldn't normally have to pay if you were not injured, so it is fair to request them as well. 

Contact a personal injury attorney to learn more.


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