The accident happened in seconds, but now the bills keep coming. Each doctor’s visit, prescription, and physical therapy session adds another envelope to the stack. It’s frustrating. Who’s responsible for these costs, and how should they be handled?
Understanding how medical bills are paid after a car accident in Ohio comes down to who caused the accident, what type of insurance coverage is involved, and how fault is determined. Read on to learn what you can expect and how to protect yourself.
For more details and a free consultation, contact us at (419) 455-1410 or connect with us online.
Who Pays for Medical Bills After a Car Accident in Ohio?
When medical bills start piling up after a car accident, it can feel like no one has the answers you need. Who pays for medical bills after a car accident? When will those payments come? In Ohio, it depends on several factors, starting with insurance coverage and the following issues that come with that coverage:
- Health insurance. Your health insurance can immediately cover doctor visits, hospital stays, and other treatments. However, if you later receive compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance, your health insurer may request reimbursement.
- Medical payments coverage (MedPay). If your auto insurance includes MedPay, it can cover immediate expenses like emergency room visits, regardless of who caused the accident. This can provide some breathing room while everything else gets sorted out.
- The at-fault driver’s insurance. Ohio law requires the driver who caused the crash to cover your losses, including medical bills. But their insurance won’t pay until fault is determined and a settlement is finalized, which can take time.
- Out-of-pocket costs. Sometimes, insurance delays mean you’ll need to pay certain bills upfront. Save every receipt and document—these expenses can typically be reimbursed later as part of your claim.
Sorting through bills and insurance paperwork while recovering from an accident can feel like too much to handle. The constant back-and-forth with insurance companies and providers doesn’t help, either.
At Bensinger Legal Services, we work to take that weight off your shoulders by accounting for every expense tied to your accident so you’re not left paying for someone else’s mistake.
How Do Insurance Companies Pay Accident Medical Bills?
When it comes to car accident medical bills, insurance companies rarely make it simple. You might think they’ll pay the bills as they come in, but that’s not the case. So, how do insurance companies pay accident medical bills? The answer involves timing, proof, and negotiation. It’s important to know the following:
- Payments take time. Liability insurance from the at-fault driver doesn’t cover bills right away. Instead, you receive a single payment after the fault is established and you reach a settlement.
- Documentation is everything. Insurance companies won’t pay without proof. They’ll need records of your medical treatments, receipts for out-of-pocket costs, and evidence that the accident caused your injuries.Â
- Reimbursement creates complications. If health insurance or MedPay has already covered some bills, insurers will reimburse those providers first, which may leave you waiting for direct payment for other costs.
Even with all the proper documents, insurance companies may still push back. They might question whether certain treatments were necessary or suggest your injuries aren’t as severe as reported. They may even claim your health insurance should’ve covered some costs.
When insurance companies create unnecessary roadblocks, it can delay the payment of your medical bills. That’s where we step in—to manage the back-and-forth with insurers and ensure they overlook nothing.
What If You’re Partially at Fault for the Accident?
Ohio’s comparative fault rule allows you to recover compensation even if you share some responsibility for the accident. However, the amount you can recover is reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if your total damages are $50,000 and you’re 20% at fault, you could recover $40,000. But if your fault exceeds 50%, you won’t be eligible for compensation.
Insurance companies often try to use this rule to their advantage, exaggerating your share of responsibility to reduce what they owe. They may cherry-pick evidence or present an incomplete version of events to shift blame.
Our team ensures the evidence tells the whole story so you’re not unfairly penalized or left with less than you deserve.
What If You Can’t Pay Your Medical Bills After A Car Accident?
When car accident medical bills keep arriving, and payments from the at-fault driver’s insurance are delayed, it can feel like there’s no end in sight. But take a breath—there are ways to manage these immediate costs while you pursue the compensation you deserve.
- Contact your healthcare providers. Many hospitals and clinics are open to payment plans or temporary holds on collection efforts if they know you’re pursuing a claim. Having that conversation can give you some breathing room.
- Check if your auto insurance includes MedPay. This coverage can pay immediate costs like urgent care visits, prescription medications, or physical therapy sessions while waiting for the at-fault driver’s insurance to settle your claim.
- Keep records. Organize every bill, receipt, and correspondence with insurance companies or healthcare providers. This documentation ensures you receive reimbursement for every dollar tied to your accident.
At Bensinger Legal Services, we understand how stressful this situation can be. We’ll help you find some breathing room by helping you manage your medical bills while building a solid claim to recover what you’re owed.
Call Bensinger Legal Services Today
Dealing with medical bills after a car accident can feel like a never-ending task. Between doctor visits, treatments, and constant paperwork, it’s easy to lose track of what’s covered and who’s responsible.
Attorney Aaron Bensinger and his team work tirelessly to ensure that every expense tied to your accident—medical bills, ongoing treatments, and even hidden costs—is accounted for and pursued. You shouldn’t have to worry about chasing payments or arguing with insurance adjusters. That’s our job.
If you’re trying to figure out how to pay medical bills after a car accident and what your next steps should be, let us show you how we can help. Call (419) 455-1410 today or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
Aaron L. Bensinger is an Ohio attorney serving personal injury and civil litigation clients. He has extensive trial experience and makes client service is his primary focus. As a partner at Balyeat, Leahy, Daley, Miller & Bensinger, LLC, Aaron happily works in Lima, OH, and serves the entire Northwest region of the state and beyond.
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