WHO WILL PAY MY MEDICAL BILLS AFTER AN ACCIDENT?
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, about 205,498 persons were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes statewide in 2020. Getting injured in a car accident can be a difficult and unsettling experience. Traffic collisions can lead to disastrous consequences for your physical and financial health, especially if they result in serious injuries or hospitalization. Unfortunately, getting adequate medical treatment for your injuries may be very expensive. If you or a loved one was hurt in an auto accident caused by a negligent party, you may pursue rightful compensation for your injuries.
I'm dedicated to offering experienced legal guidance and strong representation to clients in their car accident cases. As a knowledgeable Texas personal injury attorney, I will evaluate and investigate all the surrounding facts of your personal situation and help you understand your available legal option to recover damages. I will fight compassionately to protect your rights and help pursue fair financial compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, future medical treatment, and additional pain and suffering you have experienced. My firm proudly represents clients across Houston, Pasadena, Webster, Clear Lake, Alvin, and South Houston, Texas.
Understanding Liability for Car Accidents in Texas
Texas is a fault auto insurance state. This means that the party responsible for the car accident (the at-fault driver) may be held financially liable for medical bills, vehicle damages, and other accident-related losses suffered by the victims. In order to seek damages, you can:
File a claim with your own insurance provider
File a third-party claim against the at-fault driver's insurance company
File a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver in civil court
Texas Insurance Requirements
Under Texas Transportation Code Section 601.072, motorists in the state are required to have minimum liability coverage of the following limits:
$30,000 for bodily injuries per person per accident
$60,000 for total bodily injuries to two or more persons in a single accident
$25,000 for property damage in a single accident
These requirements, however, are simply the minimums. The auto insurance coverage will help cover the cost of injuries and damages suffered in a car accident and other types of accidents.
Other Accident Types
Premises Liability
Premises liability is a legal concept that applies in personal injury cases where a person is injured in an accident on someone else's property due to the defective, dangerous, hazardous, or unsafe condition of the property. Some common injuries that may result in a premises liability claim include:
Slip and Fall Accidents
In a slip and fall accident case, the injured person will pay for their medical bills. However, if the property owner's liability insurance coverage includes a "med pay" policy, it can cover your medical bills up to the coverage limits. After receiving adequate treatment, you can retain an experienced premises liability attorney to help you file your injury claims and recover fair compensation.
Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites and animal attacks often require prompt medical attention. If you have insurance, you should use your policy and get adequate treatment immediately. Once you have been treated, you can hire an experienced personal injury attorney to help you file your premises liability claims and seek to recover compensation for your injuries.
Workplace Accidents
Under Texas workers' compensation law, employees who suffer work-related injuries or are injured on the job are entitled to recover compensation for their medical costs and other expenses. If you're involved in a work-related accident, you may recover fair financial compensation for your injuries by filing a workers' compensation claim.
What to Do When You Get a Medical Bill
No one enjoys getting medical bills. You shouldn't bear the financial liability all on your own, especially when someone else was responsible for your injuries. Here is what you need to do after getting a bill:
Gather and document all your receipts and medical records
Review and identify all the insurance policies that cover your injury claim
Notify your insurance provider, but do not accept the insurer's first settlement offer
Hire an attorney to help file your injury claims and recover a fair settlement for your case
For any auto accident injury victim, knowing how to handle your medical expenses is crucial. An experienced personal injury attorney can enlighten you on Texas laws addressing liability in car accident cases and help file your injury claims.
Let Me Help You Fight for Fair Compensation
Being involved in a car wreck can be an emotional experience and can affect your physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. However, you don't have to go through it alone. If you were hurt in any kind of accident, you need to act quickly and hire an experienced personal injury attorney to advocate for your legal rights and help you seek financial justice.
At my firm, I have the experience and resources to help you hold those liable for your injuries accountable. Don't leave your fate in the hands of insurance providers or claims adjusters who won't protect your legal rights. Instead, let me fight for your best interests and help to recover fair compensation during this difficult time.
If you were injured in an accident, reach out to my firm – Jose Orihuela, Attorney at Law – to schedule a one-on-one case evaluation. I can offer you the compassionate representation you need to seek compensation. I’m proud to represent accident victims across Houston, Pasadena, Webster, Clear Lake, Friendswood, Dickinson, South Houston, and the rest of Texas.