Who Pays for Medical Bills While a Case Is Pending?

While your injury case is pending, you can use your health insurance or medical payments coverage to pay your medical bills. You don’t have to go into debt while your case is pending; you have options.

Laborde Earles has over 250 years of combined personal injury experience that we can apply to your injury case. Our Lafayette personal injury lawyers explain in more detail who pays for medical bills while a case is pending.

Your Health Insurance

If you have private health insurance, it will likely cover some of the initial costs for medical care related to your accident injuries. Health insurance can pay for emergency transport, hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, diagnostic tests, and some medications or treatments.

Most private health plans have deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums that must be met before full coverage kicks in. You may be responsible for some portion of the early bills. As treatment continues and costs accumulate over time, though, eventually, the health insurance should take over more of the payments.

It’s a good idea to communicate closely with your healthcare providers and health insurance company to understand exactly what costs will be covered and what you may owe out-of-pocket until your injury claim is resolved. The at-fault party’s insurance may ultimately reimburse your medical bills through your personal injury case settlement.

How Medical Payments Coverage Can Help Pay Your Medical Bills

If you have medical payments (MedPay) coverage through your auto insurance, homeowners insurance, or the business where you were injured has a commercial policy, this coverage can help pay for your accident-related medical expenses while your injury claim is pending.

Auto Insurance MedPay

Many auto insurance policies include medical payment coverage. MedPay on your auto policy will cover medical expenses for you and any passengers you were with, regardless of who was at fault in the accident.

MedPay limits are typically $5,000 but can be higher depending on your policy. The coverage kicks in right away to pay your bills without needing to prove fault or go through the other driver’s liability insurance. Any amounts paid under MedPay can also be reimbursed if you receive a settlement for your full damages.

Homeowners Insurance MedPay

If you were injured on residential property, your homeowners’ insurance may contain a medical payments clause to cover accident-related injuries. This applies whether you are the policyholder, a resident family member, or a visitor.

Limits are also usually $5,000 but can differ depending on your injuries. You can file a claim by submitting your medical bills to the homeowners’ insurer. As with auto MedPay, any medical costs covered now may be reimbursed later through liability insurance or a settlement.

Commercial Policy Medical Payments

If you are injured on someone else’s business property, their commercial general liability policy may offer medical payment protection. This policy pays medical bills for those hurt through accidents on the insured business premises, including you.

Protocols are similar; you submit your accident-related bills to the commercial carrier for coverage up to the MedPay limit without delays tied to determining responsibility. 

How Can a Free Consultation Help You While Your Case Is Pending?

While you focus on recovering from your injuries, meeting with a Lafayette personal injury attorney for a free initial consultation can provide helpful guidance as your case progresses. During a free consultation meeting, our lawyer can:

• Review the specifics of your accident and assess the potential liability of any negligent parties using the last clear chance doctrine.
• Advise on properly documenting all expenses and treatment needs.
• Suggest appropriate medical providers and rehabilitation options.
• Explain the litigation process and realistic timeframes for resolution.
• Estimate damages values to ensure an adequate settlement amount.
• Recommend interim financial solutions for minimizing out-of-pocket costs.
• Answer any questions about insurance coverage or claims procedures.

An experienced attorney can lay out your legal rights and next steps while identifying issues requiring immediate attention. Our experienced team provides peace of mind that you are protecting your ability to fully address your injuries. A free consultation allows you to make the most informed choices for your situation.

What Factors Determine When Your Case Will Be Resolved?

There is no set timeline for resolving a personal injury case, as various factors influence the process duration. Understanding what typically affects the resolution schedule can help set realistic expectations. Some key determining elements include:

• Severity and complexity of injuries: More serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries or orthopedic trauma may require lengthy recovery periods before an accurate assessment of long-term impacts can occur.
• Number of parties involved: Accidents with multiple at-fault parties tend to prolong negotiations and potentially lead to more hearings or litigation events.
• Cooperation of insurance companies: Whether defendants promptly admit liability and engage in timely discussions directly impacts case completion.
• Scheduling of medical treatment: Case progression depends on treatment plans, and resolution often follows once you’ve recovered from your injuries.

While your medical bills may be stressful, it’s important to remember that you have legal advocates with you as your case progresses. Our team at Laborde Earles is here to help answer any questions you have about your pending case.

Learn More About Who Pays for Medical Bills While a Case Is Pending

Waiting while your injury case is pending can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Our team at Laborde Earles can help you decide on which method of paying your bills works for you.

Contact us to learn more about who pays for medical bills while a case is pending.