What to do with your Medical Bills After a Car Accident

Being injured in a car accident is scary enough as it is, but when the medical bills start coming in, things get even more terrifying. 

You start to wonder how you’ll keep track of everything and, more importantly, pay for it. 

Handling your medical expenses while your personal injury case details are pending can add more stress to your life. 

If this is how you’re feeling and where you’re at in your personal injury journey, here are some tips to manage your medical bills while you wait for your settlement. 

Consider Short-Term Payment Options

Your auto insurance will pay part of your medical bills in Florida through your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. 

Since Florida is a no-fault state, drivers are required to carry at least $10,000, which can pay 80% of medical bills up to that limit. 

To use your PIP coverage, you need medical treatment within 14 days of your accident to qualify for benefits. 

If you aren’t diagnosed with a new medical condition, PIP will only pay $2,500 of your medical bills. 

How to Properly Document Your Medical Bills 

Documenting medical bills and records is paramount to building a winning personal injury case after a car accident. 

Here are some organizational ideas to help keep track of your records:

1. Organize bills by provider – Create separate folders for the hospital, your primary care physician, specialists, etc. This will help you keep track of your payments and what’s pending. It’ll also make it easier for you to pull information when necessary. 

2. Ask for itemized bills – In addition to the summary bills you receive, request itemized statements that show what services were provided, when, and for what cost. 

3. Keep track of your related expenses – Aside from treatment costs, save receipts for your medications, equipment purchases, and any other related expenses to your injury.

4. Be careful what you sign: Insurance companies send letters for you to release your medical records. Be diligent in understanding what they’re asking for. Uncertainty can lead to errors and result in the loss of compensation you deserve. A skilled personal injury lawyer will help you strategically respond to these requests.  

Medical Bill Payment Options for Florida Residents

As a Florida resident, your primary options are as follows:

With health insurance: Use your health insurance for bills that exceed PIP limits. 

Without health insurance: Work with your providers to set up payment plans or go through facilities that offer care based on liens.

If you or someone you know was recently involved in an accident, reach out to our team of personal injury lawyers for your free case evaluation.