Insurance Claim Form Surrounded by Medical Bills

When you're hurt in a car wreck, you probably expect the insurance company to pay your medical bills afterward However, victims of accidents in Tennessee may have several insurance options to cover the costs of their injuries. While this is helpful, it can be an extremely confusing process to sort through if you’ve never been in an accident before. If you aren’t sure which insurance company might be responsible for paying the costs of your care, here are some things that you need to know.  

Types of Insurance That Might Pay Your Medical Bills After an Accident

In Tennessee, there are three main types of insurance that might be involved in the payment of your medical bills. Each of these options has its own set of pros and cons, and making the best decision is all about looking at the unique details of your situation and finding the best fit for your needs:

  • Your health insurance. Your health insurance should pay for your immediate care, and the benefit is that it will generally pay you as expenses are incurred. This often means that you can avoid putting your credit in danger for financing expenses, or worrying about how to get the care you need. Some facilities may tell you they can’t receive payments from your health insurance for injuries related to an accident, but this isn't a law in Tennessee. If you need treatment for your injuries, you can—and should—push your insurance company on the issue, especially for any hospital or emergency care you received.
     
  • The medical coverage on your car insurance. The medical coverage on your car insurance may pay some of the costs of your injury. However, there are usually limits on your medical coverage. You should also be aware that you have to pay back that money when you settle with the at-fault driver's insurance company, so it’s really more like a loan until the settlement is complete.
     
  • The liability insurance held by the other driver. When another driver’s negligence caused your accident, that driver’s liability insurance should cover your medical costs. Be aware, though, that liability insurance only makes payments at the end of case. Although it’s possible to receive payments intermittently, it's extremely difficult to get them to pay your bills as they are incurred. You also need to beware of low settlement offers that don’t fairly compensate you for your losses.

Many victims of car accidents struggle to understand their rights, take appropriate action, and get the compensation they deserve for their injuries and suffering. When multiple insurance companies are involved, or when there's a dispute about which one will pay your claim, it can seem almost impossible to get the simple answers you need.

We Can Help

Do you need help determining who is responsible for paying your medical bills after a wreck? The attorneys at GriffithLaw have decades of combined experience helping victims and families in Nashville get the legal support and compensation they need after they’ve been hurt, and we’d be happy to answer any questions you might have. To get started, reach out to us at 877-959-8847 or request a copy of our free and informative book, The 10 Worst Mistakes You Can Make With Your Tennessee Injury Case.

 

John Griffith
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Nashville Personal Injury Trial Attorney