What if I have medical bills resulting from the accident?
If you have medical bills resulting from an accident, you need to check your insurance coverage and document what happened, as well as the injuries you need to be covered by insurance. Medical bills following an accident may be covered under your car insurance.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Eric Stauffer
Founder & Former Insurance Agent
Eric Stauffer is an insurance agent and banker-turned-consumer advocate. His priority is educating individuals and families about the different types of insurance coverage. He is passionate about helping consumers find the best coverage for their budgets and personal needs. In addition to founding Expert Insurance Reviews, Eric is the CEO of C Street Media, a full-service marketing firm and the...
Founder & Former Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- If you have medical bills resulting from an accident, you need to check your insurance coverage to see which kinds of treatment and visits your policy covers
- You should document what happened during the accident, your injuries, and your treatment
- Even though you should reach out to the other driver’s insurance company, you should be careful not to accept fault for the accident or make statements that they could use against you
What if I have medical bills resulting from an accident? Confusion about what to do can be frustrating, especially because you’re already dealing with so much. The good news is once you know how much car insurance you need, there are some simple steps you can take to cover your expenses.
If You Have Medical Bills Resulting From an Accident
If you have medical bills resulting from an accident, the first thing you want to do is check your auto insurance coverage so you know the limits of your coverage. You’ll also want to double-check the kinds of treatments your policy covers.
For instance, suppose your auto insurance policy has a limit of $75,000 for medical expenses. During an accident, you fracture your wrist and injure your back. If treatment for your wrist fracture costs $15,000, you’ll still have $60,000 left of medical coverage to handle rehabbing your back.
You should also keep in mind that there may be some kinds of treatment that many types of car insurance coverage may not reimburse you for.
For example, if you have a pre-existing condition, your policy may not pay for treatment to address it. For instance, suppose you already had a bulging disk in your lower spine prior to your accident.
But the accident only caused muscle spasms in your upper back. Your insurance may not cover injections designed to address your bulging disk pain. This is the case even though the accident caused injury to the same general part of your body, your back.
Are you looking for free insurance quotes?
Your one-stop online insurance guide. Get free quotes now!
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What to Do if You Have Accident-Related Medical Bills
Whether you have a lot of medical coverage or have the minimum car insurance requirements, one of the best ways to get the most from your medical coverage is to document the accident and your injuries.
Documenting what happened during the accident is crucial because if other injuries arise in the future, the details of the accident can help you get coverage. For example, let’s say the other driver struck your vehicle from the side and you got a bruised shoulder.
Then, a couple of months down the road, you start feeling some back pain. An X-ray reveals that your back is out of alignment, even though it was fine prior to the accident. The misalignment looks like it resulted from the accident because there’s a lateral shift in your vertebrae.
Documentation Required if You Have Medical Bills From an Accident
By documenting the fact that the other vehicle hit yours from the side, you can increase the chances of your insurance policy covering your medical treatment for the misalignment.
Similarly, by documenting each of your injuries, you can improve your chances of getting all of your treatment covered. Your body goes through a lot during a car accident, and it can be easy to focus on only the most severe injuries.
But you’re entitled to coverage up to your policy’s limit, so you’ll want to write down every physical issue, regardless of the severity or level of pain.
Contact Your Insurance Company if You Have Medical Bills From an Accident
Regardless of the car insurance coverage you have, you’ll want to reach out to your insurance company for a few reasons. First, they can guide you through the claims process, which can be challenging if you have medical bills resulting from the accident.
Also, your insurance company may be able to reach out to the other driver’s insurer. This is particularly helpful if you’re not at fault and the other operator’s insurance company is required to pay for your expenses.
In addition, contacting your insurance company and providing all of the relevant details and documentation can boost your chances of getting everything paid for. This may be especially important if you have longer-term injuries that arise in connection with the accident.
By providing your insurer with the accident’s details, you make it easier for the company’s staff to associate your injuries with the incident.
Are you looking for free insurance quotes?
Your one-stop online insurance guide. Get free quotes now!
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Case Studies: Dealing with Medical Bills Resulting from an Accident
Case Study 1: Full Coverage for Medical Expenses
Sarah was involved in a car accident that resulted in significant medical bills. Fortunately, her car insurance policy had a high limit for medical expenses coverage. She was able to receive the necessary treatments for her injuries, including surgeries and rehabilitation, without worrying about the financial burden. Sarah’s insurance policy provided full coverage for her medical bills.
Case Study 2: Partial Coverage With Policy Limits
John had medical bills following an accident, but his car insurance policy had a limited coverage amount for medical expenses. Although his injuries required extensive medical attention, John’s insurance coverage could only reimburse a portion of his bills.
He had to bear some of the costs out of pocket. John learned the importance of reviewing insurance policy limits to ensure sufficient coverage for potential medical expenses resulting from accidents.
Case Study 3: Documentation and Communication for Coverage
After the accident, Lisa incurred medical bills and sought coverage from her car insurance company. She meticulously documented the details of the accident, including injuries sustained and necessary treatments. By providing comprehensive documentation to her insurance company and effectively communicating the connection between her injuries and the accident.
Lisa successfully received coverage for her medical expenses. Her proactive approach and clear communication played a crucial role in obtaining the reimbursement she deserved.
Final Thoughts on What to Do if You Have Medical Bills Resulting From an Accident
If you have medical bills resulting from an accident, you’ll want to start by checking what your insurance policy covers.
Then you should reach out to your insurance company because they can both handle your claim and get in touch with the other person’s insurer as well. In all cases, you’ll want to go the extra mile when it comes to documenting the accident, your injuries, and treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I negotiate with my insurance company about the medical bills I have resulting from an accident?
Yes, you can negotiate with your insurance company regarding how much of your medical expenses they cover after an accident. It’s important to document each of your injuries and the details of the accident to strengthen your negotiating position.
What happens if my insurance policy can’t cover all of my medical expenses in connection with an accident?
If your policy limits aren’t high enough to cover all of your medical expenses and you’re not at fault, the other driver’s insurance company may cover the costs. You can also seek damages in court by suing the other driver.
If I have Medicaid, does my insurance company still cover my medical bills resulting from an accident?
Yes, even if you have Medicaid or another type of health insurance, your insurance company still has an obligation to reimburse you for your medical expenses, minus your deductible and up to your policy limit.
Are you looking for free insurance quotes?
Your one-stop online insurance guide. Get free quotes now!
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Eric Stauffer
Founder & Former Insurance Agent
Eric Stauffer is an insurance agent and banker-turned-consumer advocate. His priority is educating individuals and families about the different types of insurance coverage. He is passionate about helping consumers find the best coverage for their budgets and personal needs. In addition to founding Expert Insurance Reviews, Eric is the CEO of C Street Media, a full-service marketing firm and the...
Founder & Former Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.