If you have ever suffered injuries in a Georgia car accident, you likely know how painful and overwhelming the aftermath of your collision can be.
You may also have discovered just how quickly medical costs pile up, leaving you wondering: who pays medical bills after a car accident?
In Georgia, the driver whose negligence resulted in your losses is the person responsible for paying for your medical expenses.
If you have health insurance, your insurance provider will pay your medical costs as they arise and will seek reimbursement once your case concludes. If you do not have health insurance, you may be able to reach an arrangement with the medical provider to delay payment until you settle your claim.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident and you’re wondering about the responsibility for medical bills, reach out to MG Law online or call (770) 988-5252 today to speak with an experienced Conyers auto accident attorney.
We offer free, no-obligation consultations.
How Are Medical Bills Paid After a Car Accident in Georgia?
Georgia is an at-fault state and uses what is called a tort liability system. This means that the driver responsible for the accident will be liable for paying for the damage and losses that they caused.
While they are ultimately liable for the losses they caused, proving liability and the extent of your losses can take time. In the meantime, you may have several options for paying your medical bills.
Health Insurance
If you have health insurance coverage, your insurance company will typically cover the costs of your car accident injuries as they arise.
Keep in mind, however, that you will still need to pay any relevant deductibles or copays according to your insurance policy. Additionally, if your health insurance company pays bills on your behalf, it may be able to seek reimbursement from your future judgment or settlement.
Med Pay
Medical payments coverage, often referred to as MedPay, is a type of optional coverage that can reimburse the insured and others for “reasonable and necessary medical expenses and funeral expenses incurred as a result of bodily injury or death caused by a motor vehicle accident.
MedPay policy limits in Georgia can range from $1,000 to $50,000. If you have MedPay coverage, you may be able to file a claim against your own insurance policy to cover the costs of your medical expenses while you continue to pursue a settlement with an at-fault driver.
Medical Liens
If you do not have health insurance, you generally have to pay medical costs out of pocket while you wait for an insurance settlement in Georgia.
We understand that medical bills are costly and create a serious financial burden. If you cannot afford to pay out of pocket, an attorney may be able to help you reach an agreement with your medical provider to delay payment until your case is resolved.
An attorney can arrange for a medical lien against your future recovery in exchange for the medical provider’s services. Once you receive a judgment or settlement in your case, the lien amount will be deducted and paid to the medical provider.
Who Pays for Medical Bills When You Were Partially at Fault for the Accident?
It is not uncommon for the actions of both parties to contribute to a collision in some way.
Georgia uses the rule of modified comparative negligence to reduce an involved party’s recovery by their percentage of blame. Georgia allows a party to seek compensation as long as they were less than 50% responsible for the accident.
How Does an Insurance Company Pay Accident Medical Bills?
If you have MedPay coverage, your own insurance may pay your medical bills directly, up to the policy limits. Or if you have already paid the bill, they may issue a check to reimburse you.
When you recover a settlement or award from the opposing party’s insurance company, the insurer typically provides a check to your attorney.
If your health insurance has paid medical bills or you have arranged a medical lien with your provider, your attorney will pay off those amounts before issuing you a check for the remainder of the proceeds.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
If the at-fault driver lacks insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your damages, you may seek compensation for medical bills from your own insurance under your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UMI) coverage.
UM/UIM coverage provides policyholders with protection when they are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver or are the victim of a hit-and-run accident.
While motorists are not required to obtain uninsured motorist coverage, all auto insurers in Georgia are required to at least offer such coverage in the same amount as the liability coverage they have purchased.
This includes the following minimum coverage limits:
- $25,000 per accident for bodily injury to or death of any one person;
- $50,000 per accident due to bodily injury to or death of two or more people; and
- $25,000 for injury to or destruction of property.
Motorists may affirmatively choose lower limits or reject UM coverage entirely. However, it’s important to remember that having such coverage can provide you with valuable additional protection.
How Long Do Insurance Companies Take to Settle Car Accident Cases?
Most car accident cases are resolved through a settlement agreement before entering a courtroom. After investigating the details of your case, an attorney presents a demand to the insurance company for the party liable in the accident.
We will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, convincing them that we will not settle for a penny less than you deserve. While we can start these negotiations right away, we cannot predict how long it may take to settle your case.
Agreeing to a settlement avoids the expense, time, and stress of going through a full-scale lawsuit. But we may take your case to court if the insurance company’s settlement offer does not fully compensate you for your injuries.
Does a Party’s Insurance Coverage Affect a Car Accident Settlement?
Yes, a party’s insurance coverage does affect a car accident settlement. In most cases, an insurance company has deeper pockets than an individual driver. When the responsible party has insurance coverage, an attorney can negotiate with the insurance company to secure a fair offer based on their policy.
However, insurance companies will not offer a settlement in excess of the insurance policy limits.
If your damages exceed that coverage, you can sue the driver directly if they have assets to pay a judgment, or you can file a claim with your own UM/UIM coverage if you have it.
FAQs
If I Go to the Hospital After a Car Accident, Who Pays?
You are responsible for ongoing costs that arise due to the car accident. You should give the hospital your health insurance information, if applicable. If you cannot afford to pay the hospital bill right away, you can still receive treatment.
You can arrange a payment plan once you speak to an attorney and receive your bill. If another party was responsible for your accident, you may be able to arrange a medical lien with your provider to delay payment until you receive a settlement.
Do Car Insurance Companies Pay Medical Bills Directly?
If you have MedPay coverage, your insurance company may pay some of your bills directly. But generally, you are responsible to arrange for payment of your car accident medical bills either through health insurance, by paying out of pocket, or by arranging for payment out of settlement proceeds.
Contact MG Law to Discuss Who Pays Medical Bills After a Car Accident in Georgia
Our attorneys at MG Law have decades of combined experience helping individuals injured in car accidents recover medical costs. We can help you understand who is responsible for paying your auto accident medical bills and make sure you recover the full value of your damages.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a Georgia car crash, contact us online or call (770) 988-5252 to schedule your free consultation today.
Michael Geoffroy’s law practice focuses on auto collisions, premises liability, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury. He stands up for the cause of justice throughout Georgia and on behalf of his clients every day. He is a leader in both the courtroom and the community, having been recognized numerous times for his involvement in each.