How Do My Medical Bills Get Paid if I Get Injured in a Car Accident?
After you have been injured in a car accident, one of the most important things to figure out is who is responsible for paying the cost of your medical bills. There are a few different ways your medical bills may get paid following an accident, and it will likely depend at least in part on the circumstances of the accident itself. Because of the complexities of the law, it is best to consult with an experienced Illinois personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Options for Paying Your Medical Bills After an Auto Accident
You have three primary options for paying your medical bills after a car accident in Illinois:
- Health insurance – If you have health insurance, submitting your medical bills to your insurer is a good way to be sure that they will be paid promptly. If you have been in a car accident, the insurer will likely seek reimbursement in some form, but you will be allowed to claim the entirety of your medical bills as damages if you go forward with a personal injury suit.
- Medical pay coverage – Many auto insurance policies come with limited no-fault coverage up to a certain amount. It is important to realize that these limits are often low, and will usually not cover all of your medical expenses if you’ve been injured in a car accident.
- The providers of your medical care may place a lien on your settlement – If you’re seeking damages from another party as a result of your auto accident injury in Illinois, your health care providers may claim a legal right to be paid out of your settlement. It is important to realize that a lien being placed on your settlement will not necessarily prevent your bills from being put into collections before the case is concluded — or even if the amount of the settlement is insufficient to cover your medical costs. By placing a lien on your settlement, your medical providers may also be entitled to the full amount that was billed, even if it is more than they would have been paid by your health insurance provider. Your personal injury attorney may be able to negotiate the amount that you have to pay a medical provider to satisfy the lien.
Contact Rubens and Mulholland to Learn More
Laws regarding compensation following an accident can be complicated, and it is important to have experienced legal counsel on your side. Rubens and Mulholland is a Chicago law firm with a track record of success. Experienced with personal injury cases, and charging no fees unless you collect, you can count on Rubens and Mulholland to fight hard on your behalf. To discuss your options, contact Rubens and Mulholland online, at (312) 201-9640, or toll-free at (866) 890-9640.