Who Pays My Medical Bills After a Car Accident? My Health Insurance or the Other Driver’s Insurance?

After a Louisiana car accident, your health insurance (including Medicare or Medicaid) should pay your medical bills first. The other driver’s insurance won’t cover costs until the case is settled. You may also use MedPay coverage if available, but insurers may seek reimbursement from any settlement you receive.

Should I Use My Health Insurance for My Louisiana Car Accident Case?

If you’ve been in a car accident in Louisiana, you’ve probably been asked by your healthcare providers whether you want to use your health insurance for your bills. (Or perhaps a health care provider has refused to take your health insurance “because your treatment was due to an accident.”) If you are lucky enough to have health insurance through your employer or through your spouse, you should absolutely use your health insurance to pay for your medical treatment and medical bills. Now at the end of the day, they may have a subrogation claim against any recovery you get. But in the short term, it is best to get the treatment that you need for your injuries through your medical insurance provider. Now you may ask, "Why? I thought the other party was responsible for paying for my medical bills." And, you would be right.

Why Does My Health Insurance Have to Get Involved if the Accident Was Someone Else’s Fault?

The at-fault driver's insurance does not pay your bills as they come in, so you need another way to obtain treatment while your claim is pending. The other party's insurance company will basically wait until the case is fully resolved, whether that be through a settlement or a judgment, to pay all the medical bills at one time in one lump sum, along with paying you for any other damages such as pain and suffering. So, you may have to go years without any recovery from the other responsible party. During that time you're going to need treatment. So you should use your own insurance company to pay for your medical treatment and bills. That will include Medicare or Medicaid if you have that as well.

When Does the Auto Insurance Come Into Play?

Some people do purchase medical payments or med pay coverage through their own auto insurance, and if you do have that you can submit your bills through them to be reimbursed. Again, it probably won't be on an as-you-incur-them basis right away, but you'll be able to get it reimbursed sooner. But they too may have a subrogation claim against any future recovery you may get as a result of your injury. Once you’ve fully recovered (or if you’re approaching the statute of limitations on your case), you will pursue your personal injury action. However, this can be far down the road (Louisiana has a 1-year statute of limitations/prescriptive period for most auto claims and 2 years for your UM coverage). Therefore, early in your case, you should focus on physically recovering and making sure that your bills are being submitted to your health insurance. Once you’ve got a sufficiently solid idea of what your injuries are, you can then pursue money from the defendant’s insurance company.

What If the Defendant Doesn’t Have Enough Insurance to Cover My Claim?

If you’re lucky enough to have been following Loyd J. Bourgeois Injury & Accident Lawyer prior to your accident, you know we stress the importance of Under-Insured Motorist Coverage (UIM). If a defendant doesn’t have enough insurance, you can make a claim against your own policy. If you’ve bought enough to cover your claim, then you don’t have to worry.

FAQ Archives: Car Accident - Page 9 | No Fees Unless LJB Wins!

Who Should Pay my Medical Bills After I’m Injured in a Wreck?

Who Should Pay My Medical Bills After An Accident?

I’m Louisiana personal injury lawyer Loyd Bourgeois. Here to answer a frequently asked question that we get here in our office. “Who pays the medical bills after you’ve been injured in an auto accident?” Often times, this is the most pressing question we get from clients. They’re facing medical treatment and bills. They don’t know …

Why Is It Important to Call the Police After an Accident?

In Louisiana, it’s important to call the police after a car accident if anyone is hurt or if the damage seems to be more than $500. The police will write a report that can help when dealing with insurance companies or if there are legal questions later. Even if the accident seems minor, having an …

What Should I Do If My Vehicle’s Airbag Deploys?

If your vehicle’s airbag deploys, call 9-1-1 immediately and seek medical attention if needed. Turn off the engine to reduce fire risk, and do not attempt to drive the vehicle. Have it towed. Document the scene with photos and notes, then follow all medical advice if you’ve been injured. Call a Louisiana car accident lawyer. …

What is Chiropractic Care After a Car Accident in Louisiana?

If you’ve been in a car accident in Louisiana, you might be wondering: What is chiropractic care, and how can it help me recover? Chiropractic care focuses on treating injuries to the spine, joints, and muscles. It offers a non-invasive, drug-free approach to healing, which can be especially helpful when you’re dealing with pain and …

Should I Give The Insurance Company A Recorded Statement?

I am Louisiana personal injury lawyer Loyd Bourgeois and today we are going to talk about recorded statements. You have been in an accident, chances are you already got a call from an adjuster asking you to give them a recorded statement. We often get calls from clients and potential clients asking us whether or …

Should I Meet the At-Fault Person’s Insurance Adjuster When They Examine My Car for Property Damage?

Should I be there when the adjuster inspects my car?

No. Under no circumstances should you be with the property damage adjuster when they take pictures of your vehicle. It is important to remember that these insurance adjusters work for the other side. They are not there to help you. As a Louisiana personal injury lawyer, I know firsthand, they are trying to pay as …

What Kind of Doctor Should I See for my Car Accident Injury?

If you’ve been in a car accident in Louisiana, one of the most common questions people ask is: “What kind of doctor should I see after a car accident?” My answer as a Louisiana personal injury lawyer: you need to see a medical doctor who understands crash injuries. But there’s more to it, especially if …

What Is My Personal Injury or Car Accident Case Worth?

There is no simple formula or magic trick to figuring out how much your injury case is worth. If things were that simple both sides would always agree on the value of a case, injured accident victims would not need to hire a Louisiana personal injury lawyer, and there would be much fewer lawyers. The …

How Do I Prepare For a Deposition?

When you are seriously injured in a car crash or industrial incident, and you have to file a lawsuit, you will probably have to give a deposition at some point. What is a deposition? How do you prepare for a deposition? What should be on the lookout for in your deposition? Your Louisiana personal injury …

Should You Go To The Doctor After a Car Accident?

Should I go to the doctor after a wreck?

Yes, you should see a doctor promptly after a car accident in Louisiana even if you feel fine. Hidden injuries like whiplash or internal bleeding may not show symptoms immediately. Seeking medical attention within 72 hours not only safeguards your health but also strengthens any potential injury claim by providing timely documentation. A Tale of …

Will the Insurance Company Pay for my Rental Car in Louisiana?

Your day was ruined because some inconsiderate and inattentive driver crashed into your vehicle. Your car now needs extensive repairs. You need transportation to work while your car is being fixed. You need a rental. As a Louisiana car accident lawyer, I get calls like this all the time.You may get reimbursed for a rental …

I Tore My Rotator Cuff in A Car Wreck – How Much Is My Case Worth?

Elizabeth is a stay-at-home mom who often shuttles her three kids between ballet, soccer, and band. In those moments of free time, she tries to find some sanity by visiting with her friends or shopping at a local boutique she loves. She even tried her hand at cutting vinyl and making shirts, but she found …

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4 weeks ago

I enjoyed the experience, as well as the service. Honesty and fair!

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1 month ago

Loyd and his team are very professional and thorough. They truly showed compassion throughout the process. Highly recommend.

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2 months ago

Loyd is a phenomenal advocate for injured people. His engineering background gives him a sharp, analytical edge, and you can tell his fight against insurance companies is personal. He genuinely cares about getting his clients what they're owed. As a fellow injury attorney, I would refer to Loyd with complete confidence.