South Florida Injury Attorneys Blog
Being involved in a car accident can be a stressful and overwhelming experience—and it gets even more complicated if you’re facing medical bills. Depending on the extent of the damage, the medical bills could be sizable and difficult to pay.
You don’t have to face the situation alone, however. There are ways to deal with medical bills following a car accident, and it’s important to know your rights, so you don’t end up paying more than you’re obligated to. In this article, we’ll walk through what you need to know about dealing with car accident medical bills, from understanding your insurance coverage to assessing potential legal liability.
Understanding Medical Bills After a Car Accident
You just got in a car accident and are now faced with the daunting task of understanding and paying for the medical expenses incurred. We know it’s not a pleasant experience–but don’t worry! Understanding your medical bills after a car accident is not as complicated as you may think.
Before we dive any further, however, it’s important to remember that no two car accidents are the same. As such, the medical bills you receive could look slightly different than someone else’s. That being said, here are the most common expenses associated with medical bills following a car accident:
- Hospital bills
- Doctor visits
- Medications
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Durable medical equipment
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses
The costs associated with each of these will vary depending on your treatment plan and insurance coverage. You should also be aware that you may receive multiple invoices for each service—for example, separate invoices for hospital and emergency room fees. These invoices can often pile up quickly, so it’s important to understand from the beginning what charges to expect and when they’re due.
What Insurance Coverage Should Cover
If you were involved in an accident and were injured, the insurance coverage of both parties should cover your medical bills. This is especially true if you have health and car insurance. If you were the victim of another’s negligence, the other driver’s liability coverage should also help pay for any medical costs incurred by treatment related to the accident.
For instance, if you have private health insurance, your medical bills will typically be covered in part by your insurer—with the remaining balance being taken care of by the other driver’s liability coverage or your own uninsured/underinsured motorist policy.
It is important to remember that if there is any gap between what a private health insurer pays and what the other driver’s liability coverage pays, it is highly unlikely that any other source of funds will fill that gap. So, ensure you understand exactly what each type of policy covers and how much it covers before committing to a claim.
Negotiating Medical Bills After a Car Accident
Another thing to bear in mind is that you can negotiate your medical bills after a car accident. It’s not uncommon for providers, such as hospitals and doctors, to accept lower payment options in some cases.
Here are a few tips to bear in mind:
1. Talk to Your Insurance Provider
Your first port of call should be your insurance provider – they may be able to help cover the costs of medical treatment following an accident, depending on your policy and the details of the incident. This is also where it’s important to keep a record of every communication you have with them, as this could come in handy down the line if needed.
2. Reach Out to The Medical Provider
If you cannot cover the costs with your insurance policy – or if you don’t have one – it’s still worth trying to reach out directly to the medical provider for assistance. There are various alternate payment options, such as sliding scale fees or payment plans, so check with them before choosing something else.
3. Get Help with Representation
Finally, if all else fails, you might want to get some legal representation to help with negotiations and/or file a lawsuit if necessary. A lawyer can guide how best to proceed; they might even be able to relieve some of your financial burden and/or get compensation from other parties who may have caused or contributed to the accident.
What to Do if You Cannot Afford Your Medical Bills
When dealing with your medical bills after a car accident, you’re likely aware that medical costs can accumulate quickly. If you find yourself unable to afford these bills, don’t panic. It’s important to understand that you have options and resources.
Negotiate with your insurer
If you were injured in a car accident caused by someone else, their insurer is responsible for covering the cost of your medical treatment. Reach out to the insurer and explain your situation. You may be able to negotiate for them to pay for all or part of your medical bills if they believe the amount is reasonable.
Speak With Your Medical Providers
Your medical providers can often assist with financing through third-party financing options, like CareCredit or Byram HealthCare. These companies work with people who have limited financial means and need assistance paying for their medical expenses, so don’t be afraid to ask them about any potential options they can provide.
Seek Legal Help
If you are unable to cover your medical costs following an accident, a personal injury lawyer may be able to assist you in obtaining compensation from the responsible party and/or their insurance company. They will review all evidence related to the incident and help prove liability to secure a settlement covering all of your costs relating to the accident – including any medical bills incurred due to the incident.
Receiving Financial Assistance After a Car Accident
When it comes to medical expenses after a car accident, you don’t have to go it alone. You can receive financial assistance in dealing with the costs in several ways.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
If you live in a “no-fault” state, you may be entitled to file a claim through your own insurance company by using your Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. PIP is designed to provide compensation, no matter who was at fault in the accident, for medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs incurred in the aftermath of the crash.
Third-Party Coverage
You may also be able to receive financial assistance from a third-party’s insurance company if they were found to be at fault for the accident. In this case, their carrier may agree to cover some or all of your medical bills, other damages, and any additional out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident.
Medical Payments Coverage (Med Pay)
In addition, some states also have laws allowing drivers to purchase additional coverage known as “med pay” or “medical payments coverage” to help offset costs associated with car accidents. Medpay works similarly to PIP and is designed to help pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses not covered by PIP or other forms of insurance.
Contact a Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers Car Accident Lawyer Serving Miami, at (561) 800-8000
If you’ve been in a car accident and are looking for help navigating the complicated insurance process, contact a Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers car accident lawyer serving Miami. Our law firm has extensive experience helping our clients after car accidents—including working on their behalf to negotiate medical bills.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident and your injuries require medical attention, you might find that the cost of the medical bills can quickly add up. That’s why it’s important to understand how to deal with these medical expenses.
At Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers, we know how stressful this situation can be—which is why we strive to make the entire process as simple as possible. Call us today at (561) 800-8000.