Who Really Pays Your Medical Bills After a Dallas Crash?

Who really pays your medical bills after a Dallas crash?

Ultimately, the driver at fault is supposed to pay.

However, that payment often takes months to arrive, long after you start getting bills for the ER, scans, and therapy.

That’s why having a lawyer on your side can help.

At Fielding Law, we handle these situations every day for our car accident clients.

The gap between the crash and the settlement check

Texas follows an at-fault system, which means the negligent driver’s insurance company is responsible for your injuries. 

The important thing to know is that the insurer pays you only once, either through a settlement or a verdict, instead of covering bills as they come in.

Here are some ways to pay for treatment while you wait for your claim to be resolved:

• Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Most Texas auto policies include at least $2,500 in PIP coverage unless you chose to reject it in writing. PIP pays out no matter who was at fault.
• Medical Payments (MedPay): This optional coverage also helps pay for medical costs in a similar way.
• Health insurance: Your health plan can pay for your treatment right away, but it will probably ask to be reimbursed from your settlement later.
• Letters of protection and hospital liens: Some doctors and hospitals may agree to wait for payment until your case is settled. In Texas, hospitals can also put a lien on your settlement to make sure they get paid.

You can read our guide to learn how different types of car insurance work together. Using your own coverage first does not mean you lose your right to make a claim.

Do not put off getting medical care because of the cost. Insurance adjusters may use any gaps in your treatment to claim your injuries are not serious.

At the end, who really pays your medical bills after a Dallas crash?

After your case is settled, the at-fault driver’s insurance company pays, but only up to the policy limits. 

In Texas, the minimum required coverage is $30,000 per person for bodily injury. 

A single hospital stay after a truck or motorcycle accident can easily cost more than that.

If those limits are not enough, you may be able to turn to other sources for compensation:

• Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage
• The employer’s commercial insurance policy, if the driver was working at the time
• Other parties who may be responsible, like trucking companies or vehicle manufacturers

After that, you may need to deal with reimbursement. Health insurance companies, government programs, and hospitals with liens can each take a portion of your settlement. 

Our article on medical liens explains how these claims can reduce your final recovery and why it’s important to negotiate them.

In Texas, you can only recover the amounts that were actually paid or owed.

• If you are found partly at fault, your compensation is reduced by your share of responsibility.
• If you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover anything.

So, if you have injuries with long-term effects, like traumatic brain injuries or permanent injuries, it’s important to estimate future medical costs before settling. 

Once you sign a release, you cannot ask for more money later.

How Fielding Law Can Help

Fielding Law has helped injured Texans recover over $171 million and has won more than 5,500 cases. 

With offices in Richardson, Mesquite, and Heath, our attorneys take care of your personal injury claim so you can focus on getting better. We:

• Find all possible insurance coverage, including PIP, UM/UIM, and commercial policies
• Work with your doctors to document both your current and future medical costs
• Prepare a strong demand package for your case (see how long after a demand letter you can expect a settlement)
• Negotiate liens and reimbursement claims to help you keep more of your settlement
• Challenge low settlement offers from insurance companies (learn what to do if an insurance company offers you a low settlement)

In Summary

After a Dallas crash, who pays your medical bills depends on your insurance, the timing of your claim, and any liens.

Fielding Law will find every possible source of payment, make sure your settlement is safe from unfair claims, and work hard to get you the full recovery you deserve.

Call (877) 880-4090 today or request a free case review. You won’t pay anything unless we win your case.

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