Who Pays My Medical Bills After an Accident?
Healthcare doesn’t come cheap in Tennessee. That’s never more apparent than after a serious car accident. Many accident victims worry about how they’ll pay for their medical bills after a collision. Who is responsible for covering the cost of your extensive medical treatment?
After an accident, you deserve time and space to focus on your health. Instead, you may be worrying about how to pay your bills. At The Terry Law Firm, we understand your frustrations and want to help you understand your options for covering the cost of your medical care.
Health Insurance
Following a car crash in Tennessee, you can turn to your health insurance provider to help pay your immediate medical bills – at least up to your policy limits. Typically, you are responsible for paying your deductible. However, expenses beyond your insurance deductible are generally covered by your provider.
If you are not at fault for causing the collision, your health insurance provider may pursue reimbursement from the other driver or their car insurance provider for the expenses they’ve paid for your treatment.
MedPay Coverage
Tennessee drivers may also turn to MedPay to help them cover their medical expenses after a collision. MedPay, or medical payments coverage, is optional insurance coverage provided by most car insurance companies in Tennessee. You can add this additional coverage to your liability policy.
MedPay provides first-party coverage of medical expenses you incur through a car accident, regardless of who caused the crash. Some MedPay policies pay the deductible or co-pays associated with other types of coverage like health insurance.
Bear in mind that many MedPay coverage policies include a right of subrogation provision. This contractual obligation allows the insurance provider to recover the cost of the benefits they paid you if someone else is ultimately responsible for them. This means either the insurer will expect you to pay them back if you secure compensation from the at-fault driver or that the insurer can pursue their own claim against the at-fault driver directly.
Other Insurance Coverage
If a negligent driver causes an accident that injures you in Tennessee, their liability insurer should pay the medical costs associated with the crash. You could also file a personal injury lawsuit against an at-fault driver seeking compensation for your medical bills and other financial losses.
If you do not have health insurance or MedPay, healthcare providers may be willing to place a lien on your personal injury settlement. A lien means the healthcare provider will take its cut of any personal injury settlement or verdict you secure before you receive your payout.
Talk to Our Tennessee Personal Injury Lawyers Today
Are you struggling financially in the aftermath of a collision someone else caused? Do you have more questions about
Contact our office today to arrange a free consultation with an experienced Tennessee car accident lawyer.
Attorney F. Braxton “Brack” Terry has the legal skill, integrity, and trial experience to offer a high level of professional services to all of our East Tennessee clients. He strongly believes in the importance of strengthening and preserving civil advocacy throughout Tennessee’s legal community.