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If you are injured in a car accident, one of the first things you will likely worry about is how your medical bills will be paid. This is a valid concern, as medical bills can add up quickly after an accident. In most cases, the responsibility for paying medical bills falls on the claimant until a settlement is reached.
Below, we will explain more about who covers the cost of medical bills following an accident and discuss some of the ways that car crash victims can pay for their medical expenses.
Who Pays for Medical Bills Following a Car Accident?
Most people believe that the driver at fault for the accident (or their insurer) should be responsible for covering the medical bills of those injured. This is technically correct; however, it must be established that the "other driver" is indeed at fault before any kind of settlement can be reached. This means that it could be months or over a year before you are compensated by the driver or their insurer.
Therefore, you will be responsible for covering your medical expenses as they come in. Keep reading to learn about various ways you might cover those costs.
Options for Covering the Cost of Your Medical Treatment
Paying medical expenses out of pocket can be financially crippling. For this reason, it's important to explore your options for covering your cost of care:
- Health Insurance. One way to cover your medical expenses after a car accident is to use your own health insurance. If you have health insurance, your policy will likely cover some or all of your medical bills related to the accident. You will, however, be required to pay any deductibles and copayments that are outlined in your policy.
- Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay). You might be able to use a medical payments coverage (MedPay) policy to cover your expenses. MedPay is an add-on to a car insurance policy that covers the policyholder's medical expenses following an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Additionally, if you have car insurance, you might be able to use your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage to help pay for your medical bills. PIP is a type of no-fault insurance that covers the policyholder's medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages following an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
Another option for covering your medical bills is to file an injury claim against the at-fault driver's insurer. As we mentioned, the process of getting to a settlement could take months or even over a year.
If you do not have the financial means to cover your medical bills on your own, or if the at-fault driver is under-insured, you will want to consider seeking legal help. An experienced car accident attorney will be able to help you get the compensation you need to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
St. Louis Car Accident Attorneys
If you've been in a car accident, you know that the process of getting your medical bills paid can be confusing and frustrating. At Meyerkord & Kurth, our attorneys know the ins and outs of contending with insurance companies, and we are dedicated to helping our clients pursue justice.
If you were injured in a car accident, contact our St. Louis car accident attorneys today at (800) 391-4318 to schedule a consultation.