How Do I Pay My Medical Bills After a Car Accident?

If you have been injured in a car accident, you are probably preoccupied with the pain of your injuries and trying to find appropriate medical treatment. During this process you may also be wondering how you are going to pay your medical bills. Should you use your own insurance, or will the at-fault party’s insurance company cover the costs of your treatment? Should you pursue a personal injury claim? And even if you do win a settlement or verdict, what about the bills you have now? Below is more information about your options for paying your medical bills after a car accident.

For any car accident injury victim, it is important to know how to handle your medical costs. Many drivers think the at-fault party’s insurance company will pay their medical bills; however, in Georgia (even though we are a “fault” state), it is generally not the case that the at-fault driver’s insurance company will cover the cost of your medical expenses on an ongoing basis.

Instead, your own car insurance company will cover your medical bills up to your policy limits.  Your insurance company then has the right to seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Once your auto insurance coverage runs out, your own health insurance should cover the cost of additional medical treatment, until you reach that policy limit. If you pursue a personal injury claim and obtain compensation through a settlement or verdict, your health insurance company may also seek to recoup the costs of your treatment from your recovery award.

If you do not have car insurance, you will be limited in the amount of compensation you receive to cover the costs of your medical bills—at least initially. You can still pursue an insurance claim or a personal injury case against the at-fault driver. Once you obtain compensation, you can use it to cover the costs of your medical treatment.  

If you were injured in a car accident with an uninsured driver, underinsured/uninsured (UIM) coverage is your best option for covering your medical bills. If you do not have UIM coverage, you may be able to use your own health insurance for immediate health care expenses. If you are in a position where you do not have any car or health insurance coverage, we can help you explore your options so you can still obtain treatment for your injuries while pursuing your personal injury claim.  Just because you may not have the means to pay for medical treatment outright should not be a bar to seeking treatment for your injuries. 

At Katz Personal Injury Lawyers, our attorneys recognize the financial burden that car accidents impose on injury victims, especially when you need extensive medical treatment. We are here to help you cover the costs of your injuries. Please contact us at (404) 460-0101 to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our Georgia personal injury attorneys.