When you receive healthcare services for the treatment of your injuries after a car accident in Arkansas, your medical bills are your responsibility, even if you did not cause the crash. Another party might be legally liable for your losses if they were at fault in causing the collision, but it can take many months or several years to resolve a personal injury claim from a car accident.
If you have medical bills from a motor vehicle collision, you need to know how to pay medical bills after a car accident. An Chicago car accident attorney could help you recover money damages from the at-fault party and navigate through your options for the payment of your healthcare expenses.
Why You Are Ultimately Responsible for Your Medical Bills Even if Someone Else Caused the Car Accident
The doctors and hospitals did not cause the collision that injured you. Sometimes, they will agree to let you wait until your personal injury settlement or lawsuit gets resolved before they get paid for the healthcare services they provided, but not always. When your healthcare providers agree to wait, they usually file a lien against your personal injury claim to secure their right to receive payment.
Your Regular Health Insurance
If you have health insurance through your employer, a private health insurance policy, Medicare, or Medicaid, that insurance might pay for your medical expenses from the car crash. Be aware, however, that some health insurance policies specifically exclude coverage for motor vehicle accidents.
You will need to check your policy to find out if it covers these situations. If you recover money for your injuries through a settlement or lawsuit, the health insurance company will seek reimbursement from you for the medical bills they paid on your behalf.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or MedPay on Your Own Car Insurance Policy
If you have personal injury protection (PIP) or MedPay coverage on your own automobile insurance policy, you might be able to use that coverage to pay at least a portion of your medical bills. The healthcare providers might let you pay the remaining amount through a lien on your personal injury case or a monthly payment plan until your case is over.
Uncovered Expenses
Be prepared to have some uncovered expenses, like deductibles and copays, if you use your own health or other insurance to pay your medical bills. You will want to keep receipts of these payments so that your lawyer can include them in your injury claim.
Also, you should keep receipts of all other out-of-pocket expenses you paid, like prescriptions, drug store supplies for your wounds, crutch or wheelchair rental, and any other costs related to your injuries.
Types of Medical Expenses After a Car Accident
Some of the common healthcare costs a person can incur after getting hurt in a car accident include the ambulance, emergency room, doctors, hospital, diagnostic procedures, laboratory tests, x-rays, surgery, blood transfusions, physical therapy, prescription drugs, home health care, and pain management.
Contact Our Chicago Attorneys
A Chicago personal injury attorney can handle your car accident injury claim so that you can devote your attention and energy to getting better. You can reach out to us today for a free initial case evaluation.