Who Covers Medical Bills In a Car Accident?
Wondering who covers medical bills in a car accident? The short answer is that you and your insurance company foot bill in the short term. However, when someone else is at fault in the accident, your car accident claim helps you cover these and other expenses.
Personal Injury & Medical Expenses
Oftentimes, people in auto accidents or other personal injury accidents require some level of medical attention. In fact, even when you feel okay after an incident, it’s a good idea to see your doctor as soon as possible. Occasionally, people find that they sustained an injury that might worsen without attention.
In these cases, some injuries require extensive medical treatment, including physical therapy and rehabilitation. Generally speaking, the injured person who receives this treatment receives the bill as well. But, who covers medical bills in a car accident?
If another driver caused your injuries, shouldn’t they (or their insurance company) cover your expenses? Yes, they very much should.
An insurance company representing a negligent driver should pay for the injuries they cause. However, you may need to rely on your health insurance in the meantime. In a car accident claim, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention.
Never delay your treatment due to fear of the bill. It is always important to see your doctor for a thorough medical evaluation after a collision. When you do so, you ensure an accurate diagnosis.
Moreover, acting quickly helps your attorney connect your injuries to the collision. This documentation is vital for your personal injury claim.
Did you suffer an injury caused by another driver in the Greater Houston Area? You need an advocate on your side, and a skilled, experienced attorney is just that. Your attorneys works on your behalf to maximize your settlement claim.
At Universal Law Group, we have a solid record of helping victims pursue compensation for their damages. Schedule a free consultation with our legal team to learn more about your options.
Insurance Companies Are Not On Your Side
As you think about who covers medical bills in a car accident, you might think about those commercials where insurance providers claim to be on your side. The truth of the matter is that they often put profit over people. Insurance companies use an array of strategies to minimize or even deny auto accident claims.
Here are a few of their common strategies.
Medical Authorization Forms
In this tactic, the insurance provider asks you to sign a medical authorization form. This allows them to view your medical records beyond the incident in question. Their goal is to uncover a “previous condition” that they can use to blame for any injuries you sustained.
Dragging Out the Process
In some claims, insurance adjusters put off processing the victim’s paperwork. Oftentimes, people have a lot to deal with as they recover from a car accident. This makes it difficult to stay on top of your claim.
Additionally, calling the adjuster might leave you on hold or waiting for them to call you back. Alternatively, they might pass your claim over to another adjuster to slow the whole process down. When you partner with an attorney, though, you have someone to stay on top of your claim to ensure the process moves smoothly.
That means you don’t have to worry about who covers medical bills in a car accident. While you focus on recovery, your attorney focuses on your claim.
Shifting the Blame
In some cases, the insurance company argues that the victim actually caused the collision. As they search through the causes of the accident, they can grasp at just about anything to blame you. However, when this is successful, it leaves you with less or no compensation.
Often, insurance companies try to pressure and intimidate victims into accepting a lowball settlement. They know how vulnerable a victim is in the recovery process.
That’s why it is important that you never accept an offer from an insurance company without consulting a personal injury lawyer. Never wonder who pays the medical bills in a car accident. With the right attorney, you have a better chance to maximize your settlement.
Work With a Car Accident Attorney
When you sustain an injury in a car accident, an experienced legal team investigates your claim thoroughly. This helps us understand the full extent of your damages. As your attorney fights for your compensation, they work to ensure your settlement offer covers everything you need.
Once you partner with our personal injury firm, we perform the following measures.
- Conduct an independent investigation into the collision.
- Preserver relevant evidence.
- Identify all liable parties.
- Examine your damages, from medical expenses to lost wages and more.
- Send a demand letter for your settlement.
As mentioned earlier, the other driver’s insurance company may reach out to you with a lowball settlement offer. They want to resolve your claim quickly and quietly. Unfortunately, these initial offers rarely cover your full expenses.
Too often, people who accept these offers find that they do not have enough for future bills and expenses involved in their recovery. If that happens, it leaves you wondering who pays medical bills in a car accident. At that point, the unfortunate reality is that you have to cover these costs.
If you sustained injuries in a car accident in the Greater Houston Area, contact Universal Law Group’s auto accident attorneys immediately. At your free consultation, we listen to your story and help you understand your legal options.
Call now to book your free consultation.