If you or somebody you care about has been injured in an accident caused by the careless or negligent actions of another individual, you will likely be entitled to various types of compensation. Perhaps the most pressing matter after an accident is receiving medical care. Of course, this also comes with the potential for major medical bills.
So, who pays for these medical bills after an accident occurs? What happens if the insurance carrier does not pay right away?
Here, we want to discuss how medical bills get paid in the immediate aftermath of an accident as well as in the days and weeks that follow.
The reality is that injury victims often need to seek medical care right away, and they cannot think about whether or not they can afford the bills. Nonetheless, the bills will be coming.
Any person who sustains injuries caused by the negligence of another individual will likely be able to recover compensation, but that financial recovery can take time. In the interim, injured individuals may have to rely on their own health insurance to pay for their medical bills, or they may have to pay these expenses out-of-pocket. While this might not be ideal, the eventual goal will be to recover this compensation through an insurance settlement or a personal injury jury verdict award against the negligent third-party.
As we mentioned above, most injury victims will be able to recover some type of compensation through an insurance settlement, usually through the at-fault party’s insurance carrier. In fact, the vast majority of personal injury cases in Arizona are resolved through settlements with insurance carriers. When a person receives a settlement through the at-fault party’s insurance carrier, they can use this money to pay any outstanding and future medical bills. If the injury victim’s own health insurance paid for these medical expenses, the health plan may seek reimbursement from the eventual personal injury settlement.
If the case cannot be resolved through settlement with the insurance carrier of the at-fault party, it may be necessary for the injury victim to file a personal injury lawsuit. If their claim is eventually successful and if a jury awards compensation for medical expenses, then the victim can use this money to pay any outstanding medical bills.
In some cases, an injury victim and their attorney may be able to work with medical professionals to request continued medical care while awaiting an eventual insurance settlement or jury verdict. However, it is not uncommon for these providers to place a medical provider lien against any eventual settlement or verdict amount. A lien will guarantee that a medical provider recovers the money they are owed when the settlement or verdict amount is paid.
Ultimately, if you have incurred or expect to incur medical expenses due to the negligent or careless actions of another individual, business, or entity, it is imperative that you work with a skilled personal injury lawyer in Phoenix as soon as possible. An attorney will be able to examine the facts of your case and help you deal with incoming and ongoing medical expenses. When you have an attorney by your side, you can count on them to use their resources and legal expertise to help you obtain the best possible settlement.
John Torgenson is a highly experienced personal injury lawyer with over 20 years of practice in Arizona. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah and his Juris Doctor from Notre Dame. John has a proven track record of securing substantial verdicts and settlements, including an $8.25 million recovery for a gunshot injury victim. His expertise has earned him AVVO ratings and recognition as a Super Lawyer.
John is also a sought-after lecturer on personal injury law, sharing his extensive knowledge with peers and aspiring attorneys. Beyond his legal practice, John is an avid golfer and actively supports organizations like the Military Assistance Mission, Arizona School for the Arts, Page Balloon Regatta, University of Arizona Foundation, Junior Achievement of Arizona, and the Tim Huff Pro Bono Golf Classic.
Passionate about advocating for injury victims, John dedicates his career to battling insurance companies and corporate interests, ensuring that the rights of those who are hurt are vigorously defended.
