First let me say that this is a different question than who will pay for your damages, of which the amount of your medical bill is only part of the equation.

If you have health insurance coverage use it. Your medical bills are ultimately your responsibility. Your health insurance has to pay your medical bills regardless of whether they are a result of an injury caused by someone else. However, in some situations they may have to be reimbursed, but they still must pay.

Your ultimate goal is to have your medical bills paid timely. If they are not, it can result in negative impact on your credit score. If you did not give the hospital your health insurance information, please call them, give them the health insurance information, and ask them to bill your health insurance.

Do not let the hospital convince you into billing the car insurance company. Many people mistakenly believe the at fault party’s insurance company will pay your medical bills. In the end they may do so, but they do not pay them as they are incurred. They will only make one payment, which will end your claim. Once it is determined that you have reached your maximum level of improvement, we will be in a position to negotiate a settlement. You will execute a release in exchange for settlement funds, and will use those settlement funds to pay any outstanding medical bills incurred as a result of the accident. However, that could be months and even years later.

One source to cover your medical bills is commonly overlooked by people without attorneys. That overlooked source is part of your own insurance coverage called Medical Payments coverage. Your insurance coverage policy typically contains several types of coverage: collision, liability, uninsured and medical payment coverage. If you have medical payments coverage on your own insurance policy, it will be shown on your declarations page. Some are reluctant to use their own insurance if they were not at fault. Use it, you purchased it. Often Medical Payments coverage can cover the deductible limit of your health insurance policy. It is typically available, regardless of fault.

A personal injury attorney will be able to review you policy and determine if you have Medical Payments coverage and when to use it.