If another driver has been found at fault in an accident in which you have sustained injuries, you may take comfort in knowing that they will be liable for all related medical expenses. However, determining that a driver is indeed at-fault for an accident and receiving compensation for damages related to an accident can take weeks, months, or even years depending on how complex the case is, whether there were multiple parties involved, whether or not fault is disputed, and the extent of injuries sustained. Typically following an accident, a victim will be initially responsible for paying for their medical bills, even if the other driver was clearly responsible for the collision. Yet, the victim will be able to bring a claim against the at-fault driver or their insurance company to recuperate for their damages.
If you or a loved one have been injured due to the negligence of another driver, a personal injury attorney can help you understand how you may receive compensation for your damages and assist you with the legal process so that you may focus your time and energy on recovery. Have you been involved in an auto collision? Contact Ali Awad, ‘The CEO Lawyer’ and his team of experienced personal injury attorneys at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm by calling (470) 323-8779 or contacting us online to receive your free and confidential case evaluation. Attorney Ali Awad, ‘the CEO Lawyer,’ established the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm and quickly turned it into one of the fastest-growing law firms in the country. If we take your case, you won’t pay anything until we win.
Average Medical Bill After Car Accident
According to the Center for Disease Control, the average medical bill after a car accident is approximately $3.3k per emergency room visit and $57k for longer-term hospitalizations over a patient’s lifetime. Sadly, medical expenses following a car accident can be extremely costly. Around 2.5 million U.S. citizens will check into an ER to have their accident-related injuries examined annually, and nearly 200,000 patients will require admittance into the hospital for longer-term care. Luckily, an experienced personal injury attorney can assist you through the legal process after a car accident to ensure you get the just compensation you deserve.
Who Pays My Medical Bills in a Car Accident?
While an at-fault driver or their insurance company will be liable for damages after an accident, receiving compensation from an insurance company or an at-fault driver after a collision can be a long, drawn-out process. An insurance company may deny fault or offer inadequate low-ball settlement offers that will not cover the projected medical costs associated with an injury. An experienced personal injury attorney can fight for you to ensure you receive adequate compensation, but the negotiations and lawsuit process can take some time. In the meantime, a car accident victim will typically be required to cover their medical bills out-of-pocket through their health insurance or Med-Pay car insurance. A settlement coming from a car accident injury claim in Atlanta or throughout Georgia may compensate you later for your paid medical expenses. Additionally, an at-fault driver’s insurer will only pay for damage up to the insured’s liability coverage limit if they are found to be at fault.
After a car accident, your medical bills may be paid by:
Health Insurance
After sustaining injuries in a car collision, in most circumstances, your health insurance will be billed first. Your health insurance company will expect to be later reimbursed for medical expenses paid from any settlement you may receive from the at-fault driver’s insurer. You will be responsible for paying any out-of-pocket copays or deductibles at the time of care. Ensure that you keep records of all expenses related to the accident, including prescription medications. In almost every instance, your health insurance will be billed first.
Out-of-Pocket
If you don’t have health insurance, you can expect to pay out-of-pocket medical costs. However, if the other driver is at fault, you will be reimbursed by their car insurance company for any expenses related to the accident (up to the policy limits) so keep track of all of your medical bills and anything you paid out-of-pocket so you know exactly how much the insurance company should pay.
MedPay/PIP Coverage
If you live in a no-fault state, you will likely be required by law to have PIP (personal injury protection) coverage which will cover your medical bills if you become injured in an accident.
Alternatively, you may purchase insurance such as MedPay coverage, which will pay a portion of your medical expenses after an accident. These coverages will reimburse you for medical expenses up to your policy coverage limits. If you have expended these coverages, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may cover the remainder of your costs. If they do not have enough coverage to cover your expenses, you will need to utilize any uninsured or underinsured motorist (UI/UIM) coverage through your car insurer. If there are remaining medical expenses you have not been compensated for, you may be advised to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Discuss your available legal options with your attorney.
Will I Have to Reimburse My Insurance Company?
Yes, insurers often have a right to be reimbursed for any medical expense paid for a car accident from a personal injury victim’s car accident settlement.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney
If you have been injured in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence, you will benefit from having an experienced attorney fight for your right to just compensation. Call Ali Awad, ‘the CEO Lawyer’ and his experienced team of personal injury car accident attorneys today to receive a free, no-obligation consultation. We can assist you with exploring your legal options and avenues to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve following your accident for your damages. Contact the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm by calling (470) 323-8779 or contacting us online. If we take your case, you won’t pay anything until we win.
