If you’ve been injured in a car accident that was someone else’s fault, you may be wondering how you will pay your medical bills. Figuring this out can be stressful, but the North Carolina car accident attorneys at Kreger Brodish are ready to help guide you through the process, get your medical bills paid, and demand the maximum possible compensation for your injuries.
The At-Fault Driver
In North Carolina, the at-fault driver is ultimately responsible for all your medical bills and property damage. Under North Carolina law, all drivers are required to carry liability insurance with the following minimum coverage:
- $30,000 for bodily injury liability per person per accident
- $60,000 of total bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 of property damage liability per accident
Unfortunately, reaching a settlement with the liability insurance company takes time, so you will not receive reimbursement for your medical expenses until after your medical treatment is finished. In the meantime, you have several options for paying your medical bills.
Your Health Insurance
First of all, we recommend using your own health insurance if you have it. This can help you stay financially stable and avoid going into debt for your medical care. However, you should be aware that Medicare, Medicaid, and many other health insurance companies may file a lien on your medical bills. This means, if they have paid for your medical expenses, they have a right to be reimbursed for what they spent on your medical care if your settlement includes reimbursement of expenses your health insurance paid for. Liens take many people by surprise, but the experienced car accident attorneys at Kreger Brodish can work to make sure your health insurance company has a valid lien. We can also negotiate with the health insurance company to attempt to reduce the amount of their lien and increase the amount of money that goes into your pocket from the settlement.
If you need medical treatment that your health insurance won’t cover or don’t have health insurance, you can try to work out a payment plan with your medical provider until your medical provider can be reimbursed from the proceeds of your settlement. The last thing you need after being injured in an accident is for your bills to go to collections and harm your credit score. Our attorneys can help you find medical providers that are willing to work with you to get you the medical care you need without harming your credit due to the medical bills not being paid until your settlement.
MedPay
Another option is to file a claim with your own auto insurance company for medical payments coverage (MedPay). If you purchased MedPay coverage with your policy, you will have $1,000 or more to help pay for your medical care. While MedPay might not cover all of your medical expenses, it will certainly help. And it is money that you can get without having to settle your liability claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The car accident attorneys at Kreger Brodish are happy to file a MedPay claim on your behalf and help you get money to pay your medical bills as quickly as possible.
Your Own Underinsured or Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Lastly, if the at-fault driver’s liability insurance is not enough to pay for all your medical bills or they don’t have liability insurance, you can file a claim with your own auto insurance company for underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage to help pay for the remaining medical expenses. Your uninsured motorist coverage will likely mirror your liability coverage. For example, if you have $50,000 per injured person on your liability policy, you probably have $50,000 per injured person on your uninsured and underinsured motorist policy.
Contact Our Dedicated Car Accident Lawyers in Durham Today
The skilled Durham car accident lawyer at Kreger Brodish can file claims with insurance companies on your behalf and guide you through the often overwhelming and confusing process of paying your medical bills. Call us today to schedule your free consultation.
