Posted on Tuesday, May 21st, 2024 at 9:00 am
In the chaotic aftermath of a serious car accident, your priority should always be your health and well-being. You may be whisked away from the crash scene in an ambulance, headed for the nearest emergency room. As doctors evaluate your injuries and formulate a treatment plan, the last thing on your mind is how you’ll pay for the sudden influx of medical treatment bills. But, what should you consider on how medical bills are paid after a car accident?
Utah’s No-Fault Auto Insurance System
Utah follows a “no-fault” car insurance model. Under a no-fault system, your auto insurance policy includes a type of coverage called “personal injury protection” (PIP) that will pay for a portion of your medical bills after a crash, regardless of who caused the accident.
In Utah, all drivers must carry a minimum of $3,000 in PIP coverage as part of their auto insurance policy. That means that if you get injured in a crash, you can file a claim against your PIP coverage to pay up to $3,000 of your medical bills.
However, $3,000 rarely goes very far after a wreck. Emergency room visits, diagnostic imaging tests like X-rays and MRIs, surgeries, hospitalizations, and other treatments can quickly exceed that PIP coverage limit.
Once your medical expenses exceed your PIP limit, you have a few options for covering your remaining bills. If you have health insurance, your health plan should cover your accident-related medical costs after you exhaust your PIP benefits. Alternatively, you can hold the at-fault driver financially responsible for your medical bills through the personal injury claims process.
Paying Medical Bills Before Receiving Insurance Money
Who pays medical bills in a car accident? Of course, neither PIP claims nor personal injury settlements pay out overnight. In the meantime, your healthcare providers expect to get paid for their services. So who foots the bill during this “waiting period”?
In most cases, you remain responsible for paying any medical bills you incur after your PIP coverage runs out. Yes, that can feel profoundly unfair if someone else caused the accident that sent you to the hospital. However, your doctors and care facilities can seek your payment directly while insurance claims play out.
If you have health insurance, the most straightforward approach is often to have your health insurance companies bill your health payment plan for your ongoing crash-related care needs. You will often only need to cover any required co-pays or co-insurance amounts.
But what if you don’t have health coverage or can’t afford your co-pays? This is where an experienced car accident attorney can help. At London Harker Injury Law, we work closely with injured Utahns to help them find ways to cover their medical expenses while we pursue compensation from the at-fault party.
Do You Have to Use Your Settlement Money to Pay Medical Bills?
Do you have to pay back insurance if you get a settlement? Also, do I have to pay medical bills out of my settlement? In most situations, yes, you must use a portion of your insurance settlement or jury award to pay for your accident-related healthcare costs. After all, the purpose of filing an injury claim is to get compensated for losses you suffered due to the crash. Your medical bills make up a significant chunk of those losses.
If your health insurance plan covered some or all of your post-accident medical bills, they expect to be paid back out of your settlement. This process is called “subrogation.” Essentially, your health plan has a right to recover the money it spent on your accident-related care if another party is ultimately found liable for your injuries.
However, experienced car accident lawyers know how to negotiate with health insurers and health care providers to reduce the amount of your settlement to pay medical bills. That way, you can keep more money in your pocket.
What If My Medical Costs Exceed My Settlement Amount?
Don’t know how medical bills are paid after a car accident if they exceed settlement amounts? Sometimes, even a successful auto accident claim can feel like a loss. If the medical bills exceed the total compensation you receive through an insurance settlement or jury verdict, you can end up feeling like you’ve taken one step forward and two steps back.
Unfortunately, if you accept a voluntary settlement agreement, you almost always waive your right to pursue additional money from the at-fault party later on – even if your future medical needs prove costlier than you expected. That’s why working with a knowledgeable injury lawyer before settling your case is critically important as an accident victim.
At London Harker Injury Law, we know how to assess the full scope of your accident-related injuries and losses, including projecting your need for ongoing and future medical care. We fight tenaciously to build you the most robust case possible for maximum compensation so you’re not left drowning in unpaid bills down the road.
Recovering Compensation for Your Car Accident Bills
We’ve discussed how to pay your accident-related medical expenses while an injury claim is pending. But how do you build a strong case for compensation in the first place?
- Proving the Other Driver’s Fault: Utah follows a “modified comparative negligence” standard for car accidents. That means you can recover money if you are less than 50% responsible for causing the crash. Your total compensation gets reduced by your assigned percentage of fault. To recover maximum compensation, you need evidence that establishes the other driver’s liability, such as traffic cam footage, accident scene photos, witness testimony, and police reports.
- Documenting Your Losses: Medical bills alone aren’t enough to prove the full extent of the harm you suffered. You need supporting documentation like hospital intake forms, doctor’s notes, imaging scans, and medical records. These documents link your injuries and treatment to the crash.
- Negotiating with Insurers: Once you build your case, you may be up against a team of insurance company attorneys and adjusters. They usually are financially motivated to pay you as little as possible. Having a battle-tested legal advocate who can anticipate the insurance company’s tactics and forcefully negotiate for a fair settlement.
- Taking Your Case to Court: If settlement talks stall, filing a civil lawsuit against the at-fault driver may become necessary. While most car accident claims are settled, you need an attorney with the courage and know-how. This helps you argue your case before a judge and jury.
Injured in a Crash? Contact London Harker Injury Law Today
Still confused about how medical bills are paid after a car accident? At London Harker Injury Law, our Provo and Sandy car accident lawyers know how stressful it feels to watch medical bills pile up after an accident that wasn’t your fault. If you are injured in an accident, our compassionate legal team can serve as your dedicated advocate.
Call us today at 77CARCRASH or complete our online form to schedule your free case review. The sooner you reach out, the sooner our law firm can fight for you and guide you through these challenges.
