Many car accidents in Texas require victims to visit a clinic or hospital. Even if you didn’t suffer severe injuries, it’s important to have a medical professional examine you after a crash. Internal injuries can go unnoticed but may be no less severe.

This, however, begs the question—who will pay for your medical care after a car accident if the fault is not yours?

The short answer is that you will, at least initially. Even if you’re not to blame for the crash, you are still legally responsible for your own medical expenses until fault is determined and a settlement or court judgment is reached.

Here’s how healthcare bills are handled after a car accident and what you can do to protect yourself.

Why You’re Still Billed After a No-Fault Accident

Hospitals and medical providers don’t wait for car insurance companies to sort out who’s liable for a crash. They bill the patient (and their medical coverage) directly because you received the care. This is true even if:

• The other driver was clearly at fault
• You have a pending injury claim
• You expect to be reimbursed later

If you receive medical treatment after a no-fault car accident, your health insurance may be billed for your healthcare costs. If the provider does bill your medical insurance (in some cases they don’t), you may be responsible for covering whatever your insurance doesn’t pay, at least at first.

Alternatively, it is also possible that you could be treated under the case using a letter of protection (LOP) or something similar. This is a type of agreement drafted by your attorney that guarantees payment to the medical provider at the end of your case. Payment would come from the settlement amount.

Who Ultimately Pays Your Medical Bills?

The caveat with no-fault accidents is that even if you are initially responsible for paying your bills, you may be reimbursed by one or more of the following once liability has been established:

• The at-fault driver’s insurance - If the other driver caused the accident, their liability insurance should cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other incurred losses. But, these payments often don’t come until your claim is resolved, which can take months or longer.

• Your auto insurance (PIP or MedPay) - If you have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or MedPay on your Texas auto policy, these can help pay your hospital bills upfront regardless of who was at fault.

• Your health insurance - As previously mentioned, your health plan can also cover hospital bills, but you may be responsible for deductibles, co-pays and any services not covered by your policy. Be aware, however, that if your health insurance pays and you later receive a settlement, your insurer may request reimbursement for what they paid. This process is called subrogation, and it can catch many accident victims off guard.

Additionally, some hospitals or doctors may treat you under a medical lien, which means they agree to wait for payment until your case settles. That said, liens are statutory and dictated by the state. Not all hospitals can have a lien. To understand all your options for medical bill payment after a car accident, consider working with a personal injury attorney.

A car accident attorney will advocate on your behalf while handling insurance negotiations. They will work to delay collections by coordinating with medical providers and help reduce or manage any lien payments.

Contact Us at McKinney Vos with Questions

If you’re facing medical bills after a no-fault car accident in Austin, call our Texas car accident team today for a free case review. We’ll take a close look at your case, explain your options and help protect your financial future.