After a California auto accident, many victims are not only injured physically but overwhelmed by unforeseen medical bills. From ambulance rides and emergency room care to surgeries, physical therapy, and follow-up visits, the bills can be piling up and bankrupting you. After a California automobile accident, the big question you will ask yourself is: Who pays these medical bills? And how do you get compensation to pay what you’ve already incurred or still owe? How can a car accident lawyer near me help you secure compensation?
This guide will help you know who pays medical bills after a California car accident, from understanding your obligation and using insurance to filing a claim for compensation with the assistance of a car accident lawyer and protecting your financial future.
Responsibility for Paying Healthcare Bills After a Car Accident?
The at fault driver is legally held responsible for the damages. This includes related medical expenses. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the at-fault driver, or insurance company will pay your hospital bill. Medical professionals are used to being paid at the time they render services or shortly thereafter. That leaves you possibly relying on your health coverage or another source of money to cover these charges while your claim is in the process of being investigated or negotiated.
If you have clinical insurance, your provider will likely cover the majority of your out-of-pocket bills, although you’ll likely be responsible for co-pays, deductibles, and any treatment not included in your policy. Many drivers also carry what’s known as Medical Payments Coverage (or MedPay), which will cover healthcare costs regardless of who was at fault. If you don’t have MedPay or health insurance, you may need to pay out-of-pocket or get treated under a sickness lien, where a doctor agrees to defer payment until your case is resolved.
What Kinds of Healthcare Expenses Can I Recover?
When filing a claim, it is important to understand the full extent of medical expenses you can recover. You aren’t limited to just emergency room visits or ambulance charges. California law allows you to seek compensation for all the necessary medical expenses that are caused by the crash. This includes surgeries, hospitalization, physical therapy, medications, assistive medical equipment, and even psychological counseling if you’ve experienced emotional trauma. If your injury is severe and you require ongoing treatment or repeated surgeries in the future, those projected costs can be included in your claim too.
To ensure your sickness expenses receive full reimbursement, you must keep accurate records of all your bills, receipts, treatment plans, and notes from your doctor. You must have strong evidence to present when you meet with the fault party’s insurance company to negotiate.
How the Compensation Process Works in California
Getting reimbursed for your medical expenses after a collision in California takes a few steps. The initial step is obtaining medical care as soon as possible, even if your injuries are minor. Postponing treatment may not only make your condition worse but also undermine your claim since the insurance company will claim that your injuries are not serious.
After your treatment your attorney will gather all the documents.These will include your medical record, bills, records of lost time from work, and communication with the concerned insurance companies. When your injury has stabilized or you have reached maximum medical improvement, a formal demand letter will be sent to the insurance company of the at-fault driver requesting compensation.
The insurer will proceed to investigate the claim and either settle with you or attempt to contest the amount you’re requesting. The negotiation could take weeks or even months based on how complicated your case is. If you’re unable to agree to a fair settlement, your attorney may recommend you sue so that you may be fairly compensated.
What If You Can’t Afford Health Care
As a car accident victim, you may worry about paying medical bills if you do not have insurance or savings. The good news is, there is hope. There are doctors in California who are willing to work on a medical lien. That is, they will see you now and wait for payment when your case settles. Your attorney can help arrange this type of agreement so that you continue to receive the treatment you need without paying out of pocket.
Furthermore, you may qualify for public health programs depending on your income and circumstances. Legal counsel is important in these situations to help you access all the resources available to you while keeping your costs to a minimum.
Can You Claim Future Health Care Costs?
Yes, if your injuries are serious and you will require regular treatment, you can claim for future medical expenses. This could be ongoing physical therapy, repeat surgery, medication, or specialist treatment. These future expenditures are typically worked out by expert medical opinions, including lengthy reports breaking down your treatment, recovery period, and prognosis.
When establishing a claim for future expenses, your attorney may summon specialists or financial experts to help accurately gauge what you will require. This is to prove that your court award or settlement will not just pay for existing costs but also cater for future care before you recover completely.
How Comparative Fault Affects Healthcare Bill Compensation
California follows a comparative negligence doctrine, which states that if you are partly at fault in the accident, your award will be reduced according to your percentage of fault. For example, if your total health expenses are $50,000 but you’re 20% responsible for the accident, your final award will be reduced to $40,000. This is an important rule since insurance firms will often try to blame you partly in an attempt to compensate you less. A seasoned lawyer can prevent you from being wrongly blamed and ensure you get as much money as you deserve.
Why Legal Assistance Makes a Difference in Healthcare Bill Recovery
You may try to resolve claims on your own, only to get bogged down in paperwork, phone calls, and aggression from insurers. Insurance adjusters learn to keep their payouts as minimal as possible and will dispute the necessity or cost of treatment, especially when significant amounts are concerned.
A skilled car lawyer is familiar with dealing with these strategies. They may manage communication with insurers, coordinate all your health records, and settle for a sum that accurately represents the worth of your injuries. If insurers do not play ball, your lawyer will sue and advocate on your behalf in court.
FAQs
How are my healthcare bills paid immediately after the crash?
First, you may need to pay out-of-pocket with your healthcare insurance or MedPay if you carry it. Otherwise, you could be stuck until the faulty driver’s insurance company pays your claim.
Can I still get treatment if I am unable to afford it?
Yes. A few providers treat under medical lien, where they wait for payment until your case has been resolved.Â
Do I have to have an attorney to get my bills repaid?
You don’t have to necessarily have an attorney, but it significantly improves your chances of receiving full restitution. Legal representation is far more likely to cause insurance companies to offer a fair settlement.
How long does it take to get reimbursed for healthcare bills?
It varies. Simple cases will resolve in a few months, but more complex ones may take a year or more. The severity of your injuries are major determinant factors.
What if the other driver is not insured?
An uninsured motorist coverage policy should cover your sickness expenses. Otherwise, your lawyer can negotiate with the at-fault driver individually for damages.Â
Conclusion
Your health care expenses after an auto crash can pile up rapidly, when you’re recovering. Even though the law blames the at-fault driver, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll receive compensation immediately. Between insurance delays, contested liability, and increasing treatment expenses, the road to reimbursement can be long and exasperating.
That’s where the experts at Big Ben Lawyers come in. We’re personal injury specialists and know how to deal with difficult insurance companies, negotiate effective settlements, and make sure that every last cent of your medical bills is covered from the initial emergency room visit to ongoing care requirements.
If you worry about how you will pay your bills or are upset that the insurance company is taking forever, don’t wait. Contact us today for a free consultation. We will deal with the paperwork, the stress, and the insurers for you so that you can focus on what matters most which is your recovery.
Sources
A Comprehensive Guide to Managing Medical Expenses After a Car Accident
Car Accident Medical Bills Guide – Who Pays, What to Do & More
Freeway Insurance
How to get low-cost or free healthcare in California
Get Low-Cost or Free Health Care in California | Freeway Insurance