How to Handle Your Medical Bills After a Car Accident

Paul Brannon | November 26, 2024 | Car Accident

How to Handle Your Medical Bills After a Car Accident

Many car accident victims get overwhelmed and stressed after an accident when their medical bills start to pile up. The financial stress only increases if you are unable to work because of your injuries. Many accident victims wonder how they will pay these bills or what they should do with them.

Depending on the total amount of your bills and the extent of your injuries, you might be entitled to seek compensation from the driver responsible for the accident. Florida’s insurance laws govern when you can file a lawsuit against the other driver. Dive into all the details below to learn how to handle your medical bills after a car accident.

Who Pays My Medical Bills After an Accident?

Florida is a no-fault insurance state. This means that drivers are required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. Your PIP insurance will pay for your medical bills after an accident, regardless of who is at fault. However, PIP does have some limitations. PIP is typically limited to $10,000 per person for medical bills resulting from a covered injury. Also, PIP only covers 80% of your medical bills.

Your personal health insurance might also cover some of your medical bills resulting from the accident. However, keep in mind that your health insurance company might be entitled to recover the money they pay from any settlement that you receive. This process is known as subrogation.

If you suffer severe injuries in an accident, you may be entitled to sue the at-fault driver. The threshold generally requires that your medical bills exceed your $10,000 of PIP coverage. In that case, the at-fault driver or their insurance company may be responsible for paying your medical bills.

When Will My Medical Bills Get Paid?

One benefit of PIP coverage is that payments usually occur faster because liability is not required to be proven. Many PIP claims are resolved within 30-45 days, and you can pay your medical bills as soon as you receive the money from your insurance company. However, claims filed against the other driver can take much longer.

If you need to file a claim against the other driver, you likely need to seek the help of an experienced personal injury attorney. Some clients mistakenly believe that their attorney pays their medical bills while the case is pending. However, that is not the case. You are responsible for paying all of your own medical bills.

Typically, your medical bills get paid after the case has been settled or fully resolved. In some situations, especially those involving catastrophic injuries, that process can take a year or more. It is your responsibility to work with your healthcare providers to make payments or inform them of the situation while your case is pending.

The more severe your accident, the more medical bills you are likely to have. For instance, big truck accidents can easily result in more than $100,000 worth of medical bills. Some common types of bills seen in vehicle accident cases include:

  • Ambulance transport
  • Emergency physician bills
  • Hospital stays
  • Radiology expenses
  • Surgery costs
  • Doctor follow-ups
  • Physical therapy
  • Home health care
  • Chiropractic care

In some cases, you may require several months or even a lifetime of medical treatment. An experienced injury attorney can help ensure that your case is properly valued so that you are not left paying for future medical expenses out of your own pocket.

What To Do With Medical Bills After Your Accident

You should always keep detailed records of any accident-related medical bills that you receive. Additionally, notify your attorney of all the bills you receive so that they can accurately quantify the damages in your case. Finally, contact the provider that sent you the bill.

Failure to notify whoever sent the bill could lead to the bill being sent to collections and damaging your credit report. Most providers are willing to work with you on the bill if they know that you have a pending lawsuit or insurance claim. They may allow you to put the bills on hold or make small payments while your claim is pending. Remember that it is your responsibility to keep track of these bills and handle them appropriately.

Contact a Car Accident Attorney For Help

If you have questions or need help after a vehicle accident, it is highly recommended that you speak with an attorney. At Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, located in Fort Walton Beach, FL, we believe that you deserve compensation for your injuries and bills after someone else’s negligence causes an accident. Contact our team today to schedule a free consultation with a Florida car accident lawyer. 

Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Northwest Florida

If you need legal assistance, contact the Fort Walton Beach car accident lawyers at Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We have two convenient locations in Northwest Florida:

Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Fort Walton Beach Office
975 Mar Walt Dr
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850) 863-5297

Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Destin Office
4507 Furling Ln Suite 214
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 790-0243