Who Pays My Medical Bills If I’m in a Car Accident?
If you’re in a car accident in St. Louis and you’re injured, you may wonder who is responsible for paying for your medical bills. Does your car insurance company pay? What about the at-fault party’s car insurance? How does your health insurance factor into the equation? Learn everything you need to know about who pays your medical bills if you’re in a car accident in St. Louis or Missouri below.
Note: This article is not a substitute for legal advice. Consult with a lawyer and/or your auto insurance and medical insurance companies to learn more about your coverage if you’re in an auto accident.
You May Be Required To Make The Initial Payments After Your Auto Accident
If you are involved in a serious St. Louis car accident, and you require emergency treatment like an ambulance ride and an emergency room visit, your health insurance will typically be billed immediately for the cost of your visit, or you may be billed directly if you do not have health insurance.
You may have to pay deductibles and some up-front payments. However, if you were not at fault during the accident, your health insurance company will work with you to charge the auto insurance of the at-fault driver.
It’s important to keep detailed medical records during this time, to ensure that you know how much you’ve paid, and how much compensation you can get. This will also help you if you work with a St. Louis car accident lawyer if you need to take your case to court.
The At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Will Be Charged For The Cost Of Medical Treatment
In most cases, your health insurer will make a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company for the cost of medical treatment, up to the limit that the at-fault driver was insured for.
For example, if you were hit by a driver with a $100,000 liability insurance policy, their policy will pay out up to the specified limits for medical treatment. Beyond this, your health plan will cover any remaining costs, and you may be responsible for copays and other costs.
With the assistance of an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer, It’s also possible to take the responsible party to court if their policy does not cover the full amount of your medical bills, or if you are seeking compensation for out-of-pocket costs.
Speak With a Car Accident Attorney
In total, the yearly cost of medical care and productivity-related losses due to car accidents was more than $99 billion according to the CDC. Even if you’re not at fault in a car accident, you could end up with hefty medical bills, even when the at-fault party’s insurance has covered most of your costs.
However, with the help of a St. Louis or Missouri auto accident attorney, you can get the compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering, and for the cost of treating your injuries. Contact a professional now, and get the compensation you deserve.