Receiving a car accident settlement can feel like a bit of financial relief, especially if it has taken a long time for you to receive those funds. Yet, the goal of every personal injury case is to make a person whole again. It is not to create a profit, and that means that you have to pay your medical bills.
Do medical bills come out of a car accident settlement? In most cases, the answer is yes, you will need to use your settlement to cover those bills.
At BDIW Law, our Oklahoma City car accident lawyer works day in and day out with clients who are facing some of the most challenging legal situations. We aim to help you obtain all the compensation possible, including the necessary funds to pay for all of your medical bills. Before you make a single decision regarding settling your case, allow our team to provide you with a free consultation to discuss it at length.
Why Medical Bills Must Be Paid
In a car accident in an at-fault state like Oklahoma, the driver responsible for the incident is required to pay for the medical bills related to the victim’s injuries from that accident. That means that drivers who cause accidents are financially responsible for covering the cost of those medical bills.
Some medical providers will defer payment for medical bills until after the settlement is placed. Other times, your health insurance may have covered some or all of those medical bills, but they, too, will expect to be reimbursed for the medical bills from the settlement you receive.
In short, when you receive a settlement after a car accident, some of that money is needed to pay for your medical bills, and it is legally required that you pay those bills using the settlement. After all, you did not pay those bills at this point.
Your Settlement Should Include Additional Damages
Most of the time, you will receive far more in the settlement than just coverage for medical bills, though. With the help of our attorneys, we can guide you in obtaining compensation for all of your losses – and that means that you should have funds left over after the medical bills are paid for any of the other losses you have incurred.
Our Team Is Here To Assist You Every Step Of The Way.
SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYHow Are Medical Bills Paid After a Car Accident Settlement?
Medical bills are a big part of the losses a person incurs due to an injury in a car accident. You may have emergency care costs, hospital stay-related costs, and doctor’s bills to pay.
After the accident occurs, you will likely file a claim with the responsible party’s insurance company for those losses, among others. Then, you will receive the compensation owed to you. You are then responsible for paying the medical bills.
In some situations, medical providers will place a deferment on the medical bills until your settlement comes in. Some providers will place a medical lien to help recover these costs. This could be done by the provider themselves, the insurance company that already paid the provider, or even the government office that paid your medical bills, like Medicaid.
What Is Subrogation?
When a medical provider or insurance carrier has the right to receive compensation for repayment of these debts, the process used is called subrogation. In this process, the provider seeks payment for the medical care they paid for that may be related to the accident.
Here is an example: you are in an accident, and a hospital provides you with care. They place a medical lien, which alerts you to the money owed to the provider for your care after the settlement is paid. Once you receive that settlement, you are required to pay the medical bills owed for the medical lien to be removed.
During the subrogation process, the language and details within your insurance policy or medical care agreement are examined, and when you are deemed responsible for those costs from the settlement funding, you will need to pay for them.
What Should You Do if You Think You Are Being Charged Unfairly?
A key to avoiding complications with settlements like this is to work with a car accident attorney who can help you get full compensation for your losses. That includes your medical bills but also losses related to your pain and suffering. Our goal, as your attorney, is to ensure we have an accurate estimate of the losses you have incurred, including all of your medical bills.
Our team works closely with you to ensure we know how much to claim in a settlement. Then, after you are paid out of the settlement, we will work to represent you if you have new medical bills or creditors who are trying to obtain additional funding from you. We also listen to you and fight for your rights to have any medical liens removed.
If an insurance carrier is demanding funds from you, no matter where you are in the settlement, let our legal team provide comprehensive legal representation. We are committed to being there to support you throughout this process. You should never feel bullied into making payments on debts you do not owe. Let us help you navigate this process.
Schedule a Free Consultation Now to Discuss Your Case with Our Team
Do medical bills come out of a car accident settlement? Yes, they do, but only up to the amount you owe. Let our car accident attorneys help you to navigate what that amount really is. You have rights to compensation that are often over and above medical bills.
At BDIW, we provide free, no-obligation consultations to our clients to ensure they do not get taken advantage of by insurance companies or others. Even more important, if we do not win your case for you, you do not owe us for our services.
There is no reason to try to navigate this legal process on your own. Instead, contact BDIW now to set up a free consultation to discuss exactly what you can expect going forward.
