How To Handle Your Medical Bills After An Accident In Fort Worth, TX
Getting into an accident is stressful enough, but dealing with the aftermath, especially medical bills, can be overwhelming. Knowing how to effectively handle medical expenses after a car accident can alleviate some of that stress. Here’s a guide to help you manage your medical bills after an accident in Fort Worth, TX.
Seek Medical Attention Right Away
After your accident, it’s important to seek medical care as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. Prompt medical care is important to preserve your claim, mitigate damages, and document the injuries you suffered. It’s also vital to ensure that serious issues are diagnosed.
Make sure you save all the bills, receipts, lab reports, and other documents you receive during your treatment.
You should not be expected to pay anything out of pocket for medical care, particularly emergency treatment after an accident.
Who Is Responsible for Your Medical Bills?
Texas has a fault-based insurance system, and it uses a comparative negligence rule with a 51% bar. As long as you are not 51% or more at fault for your accident, you are entitled to seek compensation from the at-fault party for your damages. The party at fault is responsible for paying your medical bills and other damages.
However, if you are partially at fault, your recovery is limited by your share of the assigned fault. For example, if you are found 25% to blame, any financial award will be reduced by 25%.
If you are 51% or more at fault for your injuries, you cannot seek compensation for your medical expenses and other losses.
Even if the other party is responsible for paying your medical costs, the insurance claims process can take time. If you were seriously injured, it may even take months or years to negotiate a fair settlement and recover the money you are owed. In the meantime, you can turn to your insurance to help with your medical care.
After an accident, you may have multiple options for covering your medical bills.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage
Texas law requires that drivers maintain minimum insurance coverage. At least $30,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage liability is mandatory. Under Texas law, personal injury protection (PIP) is included in every auto insurance policy unless you opt-out in writing.
PIP covers medical expenses, ambulance services, lost wages, and other accident-related costs, regardless of who was at fault. Texas mandates a minimum of $2,500 in PIP coverage, but you can and should opt for higher amounts. This minimum coverage is not even enough for the average cost of a night in the hospital.
Medical Payments (Med-Pay) Coverage
Medical Payments (Med-Pay) is an optional form of coverage that’s similar to PIP. It helps cover medical expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of fault, and it can be used as a supplement to PIP.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage
Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage is crucial if the at-fault driver doesn’t have sufficient insurance. It can help cover medical expenses and other damages when the other driver’s insurance is inadequate or if the at-fault driver has no coverage.
Health Insurance
Most accident victims rely on their health insurance to help cover medical costs after an accident. Of course, you may have deductibles and copays to worry about, and there may be higher costs for out-of-network providers.
If your health insurance pays for any costs of your accident, be aware they have the right to subrogation. If someone else caused your accident, the insurance company can seek reimbursement. This right to subrogation applies when you recover money for your damages from the at-fault party. This usually means a lien against your personal injury settlement.
Medical Liens
Outside of insurance coverage and even health insurance, accident victims have another option for handling medical expenses: medical liens. A medical lien gives a healthcare provider a legal claim for reimbursement for their services. It’s usually tied to any settlement or award you receive in connection with your accident.
Medical liens are commonly used in personal injury cases to ensure the victim receives medical care, and the liable party pays for the costs.
Contact the Ford Worth Personal Injury Lawyers of Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers for Help Today To Help You Recover Compensation for Medical Bills
Paying medical bills after an accident in Fort Worth does not need to be overwhelming. You have many options for getting medical care without financial hardship. A personal injury lawyer can help you understand your options.
For more information, please contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have convenient locations in Fort Worth and Bedford, Texas.
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth
209 N Hampton St,
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 510-9400
Office Hours: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
