{"id":4317,"date":"2022-12-28T07:55:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-28T07:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/?p=4317"},"modified":"2023-09-21T22:13:59","modified_gmt":"2023-09-21T22:13:59","slug":"medical-bills-car-accident","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/auto\/medical-bills-car-accident\/","title":{"rendered":"Who Pays for Medical Bills After a Car Accident?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What if another driver\u2019s negligence caused a crash that left you and your passengers injured and in need of medical treatment? Would you know what your car insurance<\/a> policy covers? What if you ended up in the hospital, surrounded by doctors, and in pain?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are the injured victim in an accident<\/a>, you will need to seek treatment as soon as possible. When that happens, you can\u2019t help but wonder about the ramifications. Do you have to pay for treatment and medical care? If so, how much will it cost, and will you be able to afford it? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do I Have to Pay for My Medical Expenses in a Car Accident?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The short answer is yes \u2013 at least in the immediate aftermath. You are the one responsible for paying medical expenses in the short term, regardless of who is at fault. Technically, the at-fault driver is responsible for your medical care, but it\u2019s a bit more complicated than that since the hospital is not involved in whatever transpires between you and other parties \u2013 and your respective insurance companies<\/a>. This means you\u2019ll be faced with finding ways to cover your medical treatment right after a wreck.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a closer look, so you\u2019ll understand how this is handled after an auto accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medical Bills After a Car Accident \u2013 Using the Other Driver\u2019s Insurance  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If the other driver is at fault<\/a>, their bodily injury liability coverage will pay for other accident victim medical bills up to their policy limits. However, in this situation, any victim will need to pay those medical expenses upfront and then file a medical claim with the negligent driver\u2019s insurance company. You can use your health insurance or medical benefits to pay some of the medical bills, but you may have to come up with a steep deductible. Your health insurance company will also be trying to recoup the money they have spent on your expenses from the negligent driver\u2019s insurance company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This process of recouping your out-of-pocket expenses can take some time as your insurance company \u2013 and you \u2013 may be battling damages out in court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medical Bills After a Car Accident When You\u2019re at Fault<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re at fault in a wreck and have standard auto insurance, you will be responsible for your medical bills out of pocket. Your liability will be used to help pay for injuries and damages suffered by other people involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have health insurance, you will most likely receive some financial help paying medical bills after your deductible is covered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While many people have insurance, high-deductible plans are becoming more commonplace. Even those with insurance often have to pay a deductible of $2,000 or more to get treatment. Add in the copays and coinsurance, and it can be hard to come up with the money to pay for treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What About Medical Bills in At-Fault States vs No-Fault States?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At-fault states and no-fault states do things differently. Much of the information we\u2019ve presented is an example of what happens in a fault state. These are more numerous than no-fault states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a no-fault state, your liability insurance will help pay for your damages, regardless of who is at fault in the crash. In most no-fault states, your minimum required insurance will include some form of mandatory medical assistance, such as personal injury protection<\/a> (PIP) or MedPay (much less common). This is what helps pay for your medical costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find out what auto insurance your state requires here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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What States Are No-Fault States?<\/h2>\n

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No-fault states include:<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n

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