If you were injured in a car accident, then you’re likely wondering how in the world to pay for the associated medical costs. Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is stressful enough when you have insurance reports and car repairs. A car accident injury can leave you in pain and needing to recover for days, weeks, or even months. Sometimes a car accident injury can require extensive treatment and rehabilitation. But how do you deal with the medical costs after a car accident? In the state of Texas, the responsibility of paying for medical care falls on the at-fault driver. That means medical treatment will get paid for by the insurance company of whoever caused the crash. Here’s what you need to know about medical treatment and coverage options after a car accident in Texas.
What Happens After a Car Accident?
In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, the shock and stress of it all can actually mask symptoms of an injury. It is quite common for people who have been in an accident to not fully feel the effects of an injury until hours or even days afterward. With all the adrenaline pumping through your body after a traumatic event, it can be tough to tell how a car accident has affected you. That’s why you always want to get checked out by a doctor, even if you don’t have any symptoms right away. Many car accident injuries have what are known as delayed symptoms, where pain and discomfort can start to set in gradually. While you might think a car accident injury would be obvious, like scrapes, bruising, or bleeding, some internal injuries have more subtle signs and symptoms. You might be tempted to say, “I’m fine!” after a car accident, but over the next few hours or days, you may start to feel pain or other symptoms. Some internal injuries can go unnoticed and get worse if you don’t seek medical attention immediately.
What Is an At-Fault State?
Texas is known as an at-fault state, which means the driver who is at fault for the accident is responsible for covering the damages. This is where it is important to have car insurance because if you ever end up in an accident, your insurance may help cover these costs. You should never have to worry about getting your medical treatment paid for after an accident. That’s why Texas requires its drivers to have liability insurance to help cover medical costs and property damage in the event of an accident. If you were the victim of a car accident in Texas, the other driver at fault for the crash will use their insurance to help cover your medical expenses. However, this also means that a determination must be made about who was at fault for the car accident before you can submit an insurance claim to cover a medical bill. If the driver who caused the accident flees the scene, known as a hit-and-run, then your own car insurance carrier may provide coverage for your medical expenses instead.
Car Accident Injury Coverage in Texas
If you need emergency medical attention or go to an urgent care after a car accident, then you might have some medical bills that pop up immediately. In these cases, the process of determining the at-fault driver and contacting appropriate insurance companies might still be in progress. Here are some of your options for getting these immediate medical bills covered until you can submit an insurance claim for reimbursement and continued coverage.
Health Insurance
Your health insurance provider will likely help cover the costs of your medical bills upfront. In this case, you may only need to pay the deductible. If you are not the driver at-fault for the accident, then your health insurance company can follow certain procedures to get reimbursed by the at-fault driver’s car insurance carrier.
Auto Insurance
You may need to contact your auto insurance carrier to find out all your options for getting medical costs covered while you wait for coverage from the at-fault driver. You can talk to your car insurance claims representative or a lawyer about how to ensure you don’t end up paying for medical expenses that the at-fault party should cover.
Personal Injury Claim
You might be interested in filing a personal injury claim after a car accident to receive further financial compensation for medical bills. A personal injury claim will typically be managed by a car accident lawyer, who can provide your health care provider with a letter of protection that will ensure the medical bills will get covered by a future settlement.
Treatment Options for Car Accident Injuries
You should always seek medical treatment immediately after a car accident, even if you aren’t sure how the medical bills will get paid. Whether you get transported from the scene to the emergency room or visit a car accident doctor of your own accord after a wreck, it is always better to get prompt medical care. If you have less severe injuries, you may also contact your primary care physician for an appointment as soon as possible. You don’t have to wait for the claim to get resolved before you get the treatment and care you deserve. Your recovery after a car accident should always be your number one priority.
At Affordable Chiropractic Killeen, our team of primary care doctors and car accident chiropractors can provide you with comprehensive medical treatment and care after a Texas car crash. We work with both victims and at-fault drivers because we put your health and well-being first. We always support getting the medical care you need, and our skilled team of professionals understands the importance of proper documentation throughout the process.While you wait for compensation in a car accident settlement, our team at Killeen Chiropractic will help you through your recovery and rehabilitation from any car accident injuries. Call or visit us today to learn more about how our car accident doctors will help you.