How to Pay for Medical Care After an Auto Accident

I’ve been hurt in a car accident but don’t have health insurance. How do I pay for the medical care I need? How do you pay for emergency medical treatment, follow-up care, and other doctor bills after a car accident if you don’t have health insurance?

There are several ways a person involved in a car accident can pay for the medical care they need. Car insurance policies often have Medical Payments Coverage (Med Pay or PIP) that will cover the cost of initial treatment. Medical funding companies can also help car crash victims cover medical costs. Some medical providers will treat on a lien basis. This involves the doctor or medical facility to agreeing to treat the injured person and wait for payment out of the proceeds of a personal injury settlement. This is one of the most important aspects of a personal injury case a good attorney can manage for a client. We have arrangements in place for our clients to get the medical help they need right away. Ultimately, the person injured is responsible for the medical bills incurred.

However, our job is to make sure the at-fault driver’s insurance pays these bills. Personal injury settlements are complex legal matters often involving car insurance, health insurance, subrogation firms, bill collectors, and hospital liens. Contact us to set up a no cost evaluation of your case. Every case is different. At that time we can evaluate what steps are needed to cover the cost of medical care associated with an auto accident.

If you’ve been in a car accident, it’s important to seek medical attention right away Sometimes you may not feel or notice your injuries until a day or two later. The human body isn’t built out of metal, plastic, and rubber. Even if you aren’t severely injured at the scene, your body withstood serious forces that can cause significant injuries that aren’t immediately noticeable. When in doubt, take the ambulance to the emergency room from the scene of the crash. Don’t worry about the cost. Often drivers have medical payments coverage associated with their car insurance that will cover the cost of emergency medical treatment. If not, your attorney will submit the bill to the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

Once you’ve been discharged from the emergency room, make sure to follow the recommendations of the ER doctor who examined you. This typically involves following up with your primary care doctor, orthopedic specialist, or physical therapist. It’s very important to do so right away. Pain from car accidents can last for a long time if not quickly and properly addressed. Also, your body will heal more quickly the sooner you get medical treatment.

If you don’t have a regular doctor finding one after a car accident can be stressful. Don’t hesitate to ask your emergency room physician for a recommendation. You can also ask a trusted friend or family member for recommendations.

Local associations and medical societies are also good ways to find a physician or chiropractor in your area who can treat you after your accident. Medical societies are non-biased organizations who can help recommend a doctor to you based on your specific needs.

Social media is another great way to find a good physician or chiropractor following your car wreck. You can check out Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Google+ to find a good doctor.