After a car accident, medical bills and other expenses can begin to pile up quickly.
But who is responsible for paying your medical expenses after a car accident, and how do they get paid?
At Platte River Injury Law in Casper, our office is here to help you navigate the complexities of your car accident case during and after settlement.
To learn more about paying medical bills from a car accident settlement, call or contact the office today.
Compensation for a Car Accident
Compensation for a car accident encompasses many aspects of damages that can arise for the victim following a crash.
This includes all economic and noneconomic damages.
The noneconomic damages include payment for pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, disability, and the loss of enjoyment of life.
Economic damages cover your out of pocket expenses, which include lost wages, lost future income, and benefits, and medical bills.
Other Cases We Handle:
- Car Accidents
- Large Trucking Accidents
- Medical Malpractice
- Wrongful Death
- Slip and Fall Injuries
- Dog Bites
- Oilfield Injuries
How to Pay Medical Bills While Waiting for Car Accident Settlement
One of the most common questions asked after a crash is, “do I have to pay medical bills from my settlement?”
Wyoming is not a “no-fault” state when it comes to car accidents.
This means the victims in this type of accident must go after those responsible for their injuries.
This is the only way to cover their costs for damages.
Defendants in car accident cases are not expected to pay the victim’s medical bills on an ongoing basis but instead include the costs of medical expenses in the overall compensation package.
The victim of the car accident is to pay their own medical bills until a compensation settlement is reached.
The victim can complete payment in a number of different ways.
If you have medical payment insurance coverage as part of your auto insurance, your policy may cover some of your expenses up to the policy limit.
This is not standard coverage, so be sure to check with your insurer to see if you have the coverage.
Your insurance company, Medicare, or Medicaid may also cover the costs of your medical bills but are then entitled to reimbursement from your settlement once compensation is finalized.
In addition, the healthcare provider where you seek medical treatment may cover your costs but place a lien on your settlement for repayment, which also comes out of your compensation package.
Otherwise, you will need to pay the costs of your medical bills upfront until the settlement of your case.
Wyoming Comparative Negligence Rule
It is important to note that compensation for car accident cases can be barred under Wyoming’s modified comparative negligence rule.
Using this standard, the court determines the degree of fault for every party involved in the accident and reduces its overall award by that percentage.
However, if a party is more than fifty percent at fault for the accident, the court can bar any recovery for damages.
This is why it is critical that you have an experienced personal injury attorney by your side.
They will fight any claims of fault on your part to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve to cover your medical bills and other costs.
Talk To Our Office Today
Call the office or contact us today at Platte River Injury Law in Casper to schedule a free consultation. One of our experienced personal injury attorneys can help you now.