How Are Medical Bills Paid After a Car Accident in Texas?

Did you know that there’s one reportable car crash in Texas every 57 seconds? This is a hugely alarming statistic, especially when we think about how severe car accident injuries can be. But who pays the medical bills after a car accident? And how are they paid?

Below, we explain how medical bills are handled after car accidents in Texas.

Texas Auto Insurance Laws

Texas is a “fault” state. In fault states, the person responsible for the crash must cover the innocent party’s losses. These losses can, of course, include medical expenses such as:

• ER visits
• Prescription charges
• Inpatient care
• Imaging and investigations
• Surgery
• Rehabilitation

The losses also include out-of-pocket expenses, such as traveling to and from medical appointments. These may be significant if your car is damaged after the crash and you can’t use it.

What if I’m Partly to Blame for the Accident?

Even if you’re partly responsible for the crash, you can still claim for medical expenses. This is not uncommon in multi-car crashes or more complex accidents.

Your entitlement depends on your degree of responsibility. This is determined by looking at the case facts to identify:

• Who caused the crash;
• Who is also responsible for the accident; and
• What “percentage” can be attributed to their degree of fault.

Your attorney can explain how your percentage of responsibility can impact settlement. If you’re more than 50% responsible for the crash, your options may be more limited.

How Do I Pay Medical Bills After a Car Accident?

You have a few options, depending on your health and auto insurance cover.

• Claim through your health insurance company. If you didn’t cause the crash, your insurer can claim back expenses from the other driver’s insurer.
• Is the other driver underinsured or uninsured? You might claim through your car insurance policy instead.
• Call a personal injury lawyer. They can help you file a personal injury lawsuit. If they take on your case, they can guarantee your health insurer that the costs will be met.

What About My Immediate Medical Bills?

It’s important that you seek medical care after a car accident. However, insurance claims can take weeks – or months – to settle. Personal injury claims are also time-intensive. The two best ways to cover immediate medical bills are:

• Claim against your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) cover. PIP covers your immediate medical expenses.
• Contacting the Alexander Law Firm. If we take on your case, we cover your medical bills until the case settles.

What Is the Average Medical Bill After a Car Accident?

There’s no average medical bill – it depends on the case. Your accident is entirely unique. However, your lawyer might consider similar cases when determining how much your claim is worth. They’ll also use the medical evidence available to support your claim.

What if My Prognosis Is Unclear?

Don’t worry if you have a complex diagnosis. Severe or life-changing injuries cannot be easily quantified. Your personal injury lawyer can still estimate your claim’s value to help you get the medical expenses you deserve.

The estimate is based on, for example, medical reports, specialist evaluations, and the predicted costs of long-term rehab and care. We will also consider your related out-of-pocket expenses.

How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help?

It’s simple: an attorney does the hard work so you can focus on recovery.

• The other driver’s insurance company may argue that you caused the accident. Your lawyer knows how to use evidence to prove what happened.
• Insurance negotiations can be complex. A lawyer will ensure that you never accidentally incriminate yourself.
• Health insurance companies may attempt to limit what’s payable. Your attorney will fight to have all your losses covered.
• An experienced lawyer knows how to value your claim and secure the medical expenses you deserve.

How Long Does Settlement Take?

Every car accident claim is different. How long matters take to resolve depends on:

• Whether the at-fault driver accepts liability.
• If there’s contributory negligence i.e. more than one driver at fault.
• The complexity of your medical injuries.
• Whether there’s sufficient insurance coverage available to meet the costs.

Claims can take anything from a few months to a year or two to settle. Claims which proceed to trial typically take longer. Your car accident attorney can explain what the likely timeline is for your case.

Make a Car Accident Claim in Texas

Medical expenses can quickly spiral and it’s important that you get help sooner rather than later. Don’t let the stress of a personal injury claim overwhelm you. Call the Alexander Law Firm immediately to discuss your claim.

If we take on your case, we’ll cover the cost of your medical treatments until the claim settles. And we don’t charge anything unless we win your case. You have nothing to lose. Contact our car accident lawyers now for a free consultation!