If you were involved in a car accident, your health is your top priority. But then, you might wonder how to pay for your medical bills stemming from the accident. You may have various options to cover these bills. An experienced San Antonio car accident lawyer from George Salinas Injury Lawyers can review your situation and explain your options.
Who Pays for Medical Expenses After a Texas Car Accident?
Texas is an at-fault state for car accidents, meaning the person found to be at fault for the accident is ultimately responsible for paying for the damages they cause. However, until you collect your personal injury settlement, it will be your responsibility to pay for your medical bills.
To get the at-fault driver’s liability insurance provider to pay for your medical expenses, you will need to show that their insured was negligent in causing the accident. You must point to something they did wrong or failed to do that caused the crash. Then, you can demand compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.
Insurance Options to Cover Accident-Related Medical Expenses in Texas
You may have various options to help cover accident-related medical expenses, including:
Personal Injury Protection Coverage
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is an optional, no-fault insurance plan, so if you’re in an accident and have this type of insurance, you can make a claim to help cover your medical expenses and other losses.
Medical Payments Coverage
Texas auto insurance companies also offer Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage. Not all insurance companies offer it, though, and it’s not mandatory, so whether you have it will depend on which insurance coverage you purchased at the time you bought your policy. This insurance helps cover accident-related medical bills and funeral expenses.
Uninsured Motorist Insurance
If you were involved in an accident with an at-fault uninsured driver, you may have uninsured motorist coverage (UM) that can help cover your medical expenses. If the driver had insurance but it fell short of covering your losses, you may be able to file a claim under your uninsured motorist coverage (UIM).
Health Insurance
If your auto insurance doesn’t cover all your medical expenses, you can turn to your health insurance as secondary coverage. Your health insurance company might require you to submit documentation showing that you have exhausted your auto insurance policies before it agrees to cover your accident-related medical expenses.
Other Options for Covering Medical Expenses After an Accident
If you have exhausted all of your insurance coverage but still have medical bills, you may be able to pay your bills by:
Agreeing to a Medical Lien
With a medical lien, you agree to pay your healthcare provider for the services they rendered out of any personal injury settlement you happen to receive.
Requesting a Payment Plan
Another option is to ask your medical provider to set up a payment plan for you. With this arrangement, you agree to pay a certain amount toward your medical debt each month.
Filing a Claim Against the At-Fault Driver
Ultimately, it is the at-fault driver’s responsibility to pay for the damages they caused, per Texas’s at-fault laws. You shouldn’t be left having to pay the consequences for someone else’s negligence. You can seek compensation by filing a San Antonio personal injury claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance or suing them.
Contact Us to Learn More About Your Legal Options
If you were injured in an auto accident that was someone else’s fault and are concerned about how you can pay your medical bills, contact our truck accident attorney in San Antonio to discuss your options.