If you are the victim in a car accident in Los Angeles, figuring out who covers your medical bills and rehabilitation expenses is a true concern.
This blog will explore California personal injury laws and insurance guidelines to guide you in getting your car accident medical bills paid. From identifying who’s at fault to understanding insurance policies and seeking professional legal help, we’ll provide insights to help you through this challenging time.
So who pays the medical bills after a car accident in LA? Read on and find out.
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Liability and Comparative Negligence in Auto Accidents
Who pays the medical bills after a car accident in LA? The financial responsibility for a car accident largely hinges on the question of liability — who is at fault for causing the accident?
California law follows a “fault” system, which means the person who caused the accident (the “at-fault party”) is generally responsible for paying the damages including medical expenses of those injured.
The state also employs the comparative negligence rule which allows for the distribution of responsibility among multiple parties based on their share of fault.
If you experienced bodily injury from a car accident but were partially at fault, your ability to recover damages may be reduced proportionally to your degree of accountability.
Statute of Limitations in Los Angeles
The statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Failing to act within this period could mean forfeiting your right to pursue compensation.
If the car accident victim is a minor, the statute of limitations is extended to two years from their 18th birthday.
These time limits can vary depending on the circumstances of your case. Consult with a California personal injury attorney as soon as possible to iron out all the details and ensure that you meet deadlines.
How to File a Car Accident Claim and
What to Tell Your Insurance
After being injured in a car accident, filing a claim with your insurance provider is one of the first steps toward payment of medical bills. In California, it’s standard practice to report the accident to your car insurance provider regardless of who was at fault.
Ideally, you should first speak to a personal injury attorney in LA before even giving any statement to anyone. An experienced car accident lawyer will know how to manage the conversation with auto insurance agencies and negotiate on your behalf.
When reporting, provide as much information as possible including the date, time, location of the accident, contact info of the other parties involved, and the incident report number if law enforcement was called to the scene.
Your insurance may require additional evidence, like photos of the accident and detailed medical records, to substantiate your claim. It’s also important to understand the specifics of your policy, such as whether it includes MedPay coverage, which is designed to pay medical bills regardless of who caused the accident. Your lawyer can take care of all these.
Dealing with the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance
So who pays the medical bills after a car accident in LA? Typically, in the event that the other party is at fault, their insurance should cover car accident victims’ medical treatment. But reaching a settlement agreement with the at-fault party’s insurance carrier can be a complex and lengthy process.
In the meantime, your own health insurance may cover your medical costs and then seek reimbursement from the at-fault party’s insurer through a process called subrogation.
A medical lien could also be placed. This means that the medical provider agrees to get paid directly from any settlement or judgment received from the at-fault party’s insurance, ensuring that your treatment continues uninterrupted while your accident injury claim is being settled.
Who Pays the Medical Bills After a Car Accident in LA? About Your Health Insurance
While waiting for the insurance claim to settle, your health insurance can be a lifesaver. They can pay for medical upfront but, as mentioned, they may later recoup these costs from whichever insurance is deemed responsible.
Make sure to communicate with your healthcare provider about the accident-related billing since they might need to follow specific billing codes or procedures for insurance purposes.
Better yet, work with a skilled auto accident attorney in LA to ensure that your medical expenses are properly documented and included in the final settlement agreement. Health insurance can also provide support for any ongoing physical therapy or rehabilitation bills after the accident.
If you have Med Pay or Medicare coverage, these can also be used to cover any out-of-pocket hospital or urgent care expenses.
Be sure to review your medical insurance policy and understand what is covered and what may not be included in case of a car accident in California. It’s always better to be prepared and have peace of mind knowing that you are covered medically during a stressful time. Seek guidance from a car accident attorney near you.
When the Car Accident Medical Bills Exceed Policy Limits
What happens if your medical bills exceed the policy limits of the at-fault driver’s insurance?
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help manage this type of scenario, potentially seeking compensation through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
For example, if you have $100,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and your car accident medical bills total $200,000, your lawyer may be able to recover the remaining $100,000 from your own insurance policy.
If you were a passenger in someone else’s vehicle during the accident, you may also be able to seek compensation through their uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or through a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.
Pay Your Medical Bills After a Car Accident:
Hire a California Car Accident Lawyer to Help
Who pays the medical bills after a car accident in LA? Claims can get complicated. Insurance companies often seek to minimize what they pay out, even to the point of denying valid claims or underestimating the cost of your damages. This is where having legal professionals by your side becomes essential.
RTM Law Firm specializes in advocating for the rights of motor vehicle accident victims in LA. Our team understands the weight of unexpected medical payments and the importance of securing the funds needed to cover them.
If you have been involved in a car accident and are dealing with the stress of struggling to pay for your medical expenses, we are prepared to fight for you and to get you the money you deserve.
Allow the skilled car accident injury attorneys at RTM Law to take the lead.
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We Help Accident Victims File
a Personal Injury Claim in Los Angeles, CA
Our Bakersfield personal injury attorneys handle a wide range of personal injury claims in several areas, including:
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