If you were hurt in a car accident that was not your fault, it is normal to think the other driver’s insurance should pay your medical bills right away. But that usually is not how it works.
Even when another driver caused the crash by speeding, distracted driving, running a red light, t-boning you, or leaving the scene after a hit and run, their insurance company usually does not pay bills as they come in. Medical bills are often handled first through your health insurance or car insurance coverage, then addressed later as part of the injury claim or settlement.
How Medical Bills Are Usually Handled
In most car accident cases, the at fault driver’s insurance does not pay each medical bill as it comes in. Instead, medical bills are usually reviewed as part of the full injury claim when the case is ready to settle.
Medical providers do not wait for the insurance company to decide your case. Hospitals, doctors, imaging centers, and physical therapy providers usually bill as treatment happens, which is why bills can start coming in within weeks of the accident.
Many people use their health insurance or available car insurance coverage first so treatment does not get delayed. This can help keep appointments, follow up care, physical therapy, and other medical treatment moving while the injury claim is still pending.
How Medical Bills Can Affect Your Settlement
When your case settles, your medical bills are usually part of the larger injury claim. The settlement may account for treatment you already received, future care related to the crash, missed work, and how the injury affected your life.
Later, payments made by health insurance or car insurance may need to be addressed from the settlement. That is why it is important to keep track of bills, insurance notices, and anything you receive from medical providers.
When To Call A Car Accident Lawyer
If bills are starting to come in after a serious car accident in D.C., Northern Virginia, or Maryland, do not wait for the insurance company to explain your options.
This is especially true after a hit and run, distracted driving crash, rear-end collision, or serious crash on busy roads like I-95, I-495, Route 50, or the Beltway, where medical treatment, insurance issues, and missed work can get complicated fast.
Call 202-393-3320 or book your free consultation here: Book Free Consultation.
Ask Frank: What To Do After A Car Accident That Was Not Your Fault
If you are dealing with medical bills and not sure what to do next, this is a good place to start.
In this video, Attorney Frank Kearney explains the early steps that matter most and why insurance companies often try to take advantage of mistakes made right after a crash.
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