After a car accident, the thing you should be focusing on is recovery, but it can be easy to be distracted by mounting medical bills. Paying for injuries sustained after a crash can often become a tricky issue. Figuring out who pays for the medical bills after a Houston car accident is important, whether it is the at-fault driver, the victim’s insurance, or some other combination.
If you were injured in an auto wreck that was not your fault, contact the experienced Houston car accident attorneys at The Krist Law Firm, P.C. We have been protecting injured Texans for over 40 years. We will help you fight for a rightful settlement so you can restore your financial health as you work on recovery.
The Cost of Car Crashes
Car accidents are often preventable and extremely costly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that in one year, medical costs and work loss costs from motor vehicle crash deaths added up to $5.70 billion for the state of Texas alone. Adding into that calculation, accidents that only caused injuries would create an even larger expense and begs the question: who is covering all those bills?
Car accidents create a huge cost for all parties involved, even if the at-fault driver is covered by insurance. Medical bills, lost wages, physical losses, and car repairs can add up quickly. It is important to establish fault and determine how much insurance is able to cover as soon as possible so you do not end up paying out of pocket.
If you are having trouble getting the payment you rightfully deserve from the at-fault motorist, consider hiring a Houston car accident lawyer to help. The personal injury lawyers at The Krist Law Firm can help you calculate all current and future costs to send in a demand letter to the at-fault driver’s insurance company for a total payout to cover all your expenses. We will work to restore your financial situation and do not charge an attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you in your case. That’s our “No Recovery, No Fee” guarantee.
Common Medical Bills From Car Accident Injuries
Based on the type of car crash and the speed at which it occurred, injuries can range from minor scratches to life-threatening conditions. Some will require minimal medical treatment, and others can require extensive time in the hospital, with physical therapy and rehabilitation for years to come. Common medical bills after sustaining injuries in a car accident can include:
- Emergency services and transportation
- ER visits and in-patient hospital stays
- X-rays, radiology, and other scans
- Bloodwork and various testing
- Prescription and / or over-the-counter medications
- Surgeries
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Medical devices and mobility aids
- Rehabilitation
While undergoing treatment after a car accident, be sure to save all paperwork, including medical records discussing diagnoses and treatments, invoices, bills, and receipts. When you are submitting a demand letter to insurance, this paper trail will help prove that the settlement was calculated accurately. No matter how you feel after a car accident, be sure to get examined by a medical professional to ensure that there are no hidden injuries that might bother you later.
The At-Fault Driver Should Pay for Your Car Accident Medical Bills
In Texas, the at-fault driver should pay for your car accident medical bills, replacements for physical losses, and car repair costs. This does not always go smoothly, however, because you have to first prove fault and then work with insurance to get a fair settlement. Insurance agents focus on preserving their interests first and will do everything they can to limit what they must pay.
It can take a long time to get a payout from the at-fault driver’s insurance. Sometimes, even after weeks or months of pursuing a settlement, the insurance will refuse to acknowledge the claim, and the only option is to pursue legal action. If that happens, working with an experienced car accident lawyer can help apply appropriate pressure and encourage a faster and fairer settlement.
Texas insurance laws require every driver to carry a bodily injury liability insurance policy. According to the Texas Auto Insurance Guide, the required minimum amount of liability insurance is $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident in medical expenses. If the at-fault motorist is not covered with appropriate auto insurance, you can either seek payment from your uninsured motorist policy (if you have one) or file a personal injury claim and seek damages through a personal injury lawsuit with the help of a Houston car accident attorney.
Complications in the Claims Process
The insurance company will always work for their own best interests, which typically means that they will work against victims trying to collect their claims. Insurance agents will do their best to intimidate, and often, victims are frustrated to the point of giving up on the settlement that they are rightfully due. That is why it is so important to work with a personal injury lawyer who is experienced in Texas law and knows the legalese and manipulation tactics that are often used.
Your Health Insurance May Also Cover Your Car Crash Injuries
There are certain situations where your own health insurance policy may cover your medical treatment. When you are injured after a car crash, it is important to get treatment as soon as possible and not let worries about repayment inhibit your care. Your health insurance coverage should cover your upfront medical bills minus any deductible you may have. Then, if the other driver in the crash is liable, your insurance will work to get repaid for the costs that they have covered already.
If you were liable for the car accident, your medical coverage on your auto insurance may cover your medical bills. Medical coverage in an auto insurance policy is not required in Texas, however, so you will have to check to see if you are covered. If you have this policy, you can use it to make any payments prior to filing with your health insurance.
Calculating Your Potential Settlement
If a negligent driver caused an auto accident in which you were injured, you may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit for all damages that you sustained. This settlement claim would be calculated based on future expenses, economic costs, and non-economic costs. Some common losses that are calculated in a settlement include:
- Medical expenses
- Physical therapy
- Future medical costs
- Increases to your auto insurance premiums
- Rental car costs
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Car repairs
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Chronic physical pain
- Emotional distress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
With the help of a Houston personal injury lawyer, you can establish a full calculation of all compensatory damages you are entitled to, including current expenses and future ones. All car accident lawsuits are unique in the value of their claims, but your best chance at recovering the maximum possible settlement is working with a team that has experience, like The Krist Law Firm, P.C. Do not settle for a lowball offer before you give us a call.
Contact The Krist Law Firm, P.C. for a Free No-Obligation Case Consultation
If you find yourself asking who is going to be paying your medical bills after you were injured in a car accident, contact our team of compassionate and dedicated legal professionals. Call or contact us online for a free consultation and get your questions answered. We do not get paid unless you receive your rightful settlement.