Who pays for medical bills in a car accident?

If you were injured in a car accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you should not have to pay for your own medical bills. However, you are responsible for securing payment for your medical treatment until a compensation amount is reached and awarded.  

For example, if you break your arm in a car accident, the ER nurses and doctors that helped you will need to be paid in a timely manner, and should not have to wait for your claim to be settled. Don’t worry, though, because there are a few different paths you can take to get the help you need to cover your bills and make sure you get the compensation you deserve.  

A Los Angeles personal injury lawyer can help you come up with a plan to deal with your medical bills in the short term, and get them covered by the responsible party in the long term. Rest assured that our Los Angeles car accident attorneys will help you fight to make sure that you are not responsible for paying out-of-pocket the medical bills that accumulate when you’re hurt in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence.  

Medical lien  

You can find a medical provider that will treat you under a medical lien, or a document that states that you will not owe money up front, but will only pay them once a settlement is made.  

Physical therapists and chiropractors are the most common medical lien providers, but you can talk to your health team to see if they will be willing to work on a lien. You personal injury lawyer will take care of getting the lien signed and filed so you can focus on your recovery.  

MedPay 

MedPay is offered through some insurance policies, and covers immediate medical expenses for any injuries after an accident that was not your fault. The exact amount MedPay will cover depends on your insurance policy, and some polices don’t offer MedPay at all. If you want more information on your MedPay options, you should call your insurance provider.  

At-Fault insurance  

Depending on where you go to treat your injuries, and whether or not you’re working with a lawyer, some healthcare providers will try and get payment from the at-fault party’s insurance directly. This can be difficult or tricky, as insurance companies don’t like to promise in writing that they will pay medical bills. If they don’t put it in writing, you may be stuck paying out-out-pocket for most of or even all of your expenses.  

That’s why it’s vital that you get help from an experienced car accident lawyer. Insurance companies are in business to make money, and that means paying out at little money as possible. A Southern California car accident attorney will work to make sure that your bills are paid by those responsible, or by their insurance.  

Fault and no fault states  

The coverage for medical bills from a car accident also depends on if your state is fault or no-fault.  In no-fault states, car insurance companies are required to pay some or all of your medical bills from car accidents no matter who was at fault. In fault states, a party must be found responsible for causing the car accident before that person’s insurance will pay for medical bills or damages. California is a fault state, which is another reason why you should enlist a personal injury attorney to help you after you’ve been injured in a car accident.  

Ellis Law Corporation 

If you’re hurt in a car accident that was partially your fault or not your fault at all, you should not be responsible for paying your medical bills.  When you hire a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer from Ellis Law Corporation to represent your best interests, you are ensuring that you have someone fighting in your corner to get you the maximum compensation you deserve. Your attorney will know the ins and outs of California law, and will work closely with you to complete your case in the most efficient time possible.  

Call today to schedule an absolutely free consultation with Ellis Law.