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It’s estimated that 30 million Americans don’t have health insurance. If you’re one of those 30 million and someone causes a car accident that leaves you injured, you might be wondering how you’ll be able to pay your medical bills while you wait for the at-fault driver’s insurance company to finalize your settlement.
Instead of avoiding essential medical treatment or worrying about paying out of pocket, here is how to move forward with treatment by seeking compensation from the at-fault driver as well as with medical providers that allow you to pay for treatment after your case is settled.
How to Get Medical Treatment for Car Accident Injuries Without Health Insurance
A lot of people think that if they don’t have health insurance, they can’t get the medical treatment they need to begin their recovery and achieve long-term and permanent healing from their injuries.
However, that’s simply not true. You have options.
Many doctors in the Oklahoma City area will treat car accident victims without any upfront fees. This arrangement is referred to as a third-party or lien basis, which involves providing accident victims with comprehensive medical treatment and no upfront billing.
Instead, these doctors, hospitals, and clinics will continue treating you without requesting payment until the case is resolved. They file a lien against your case to ensure they get paid the balance of the bill once you receive a favorable settlement or jury verdict. OKC car accident law firms collaborate with these clinics to ensure they are paid from your settlement award.
Whether you have a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, or other health challenges after an accident, it’s never a good course of action to delay or avoid seeing a doctor. This is true even if you think your injuries are minor.
Medical Expenses and Other Compensation That Could Be Available
Oklahoma requires drivers to carry car insurance that covers them for damages they cause as a result of negligent or reckless driving. The state has minimum policy requirements that are used to compensate accident victims for property damage, bodily injury, and other expenses.
As a result, if you are injured by a negligent driver, you can seek compensation from insurance companies for the following:
- Lost wages
- Future lost earning potential
- Medical bills
- Ongoing medical expenses and treatment
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium (companionship)
- Wrongful death
Other Options for Paying Medical Bills Without Health Insurance
Every car accident scenario is different, and while we recommend filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, that might not be possible.
For example, if the other driver does not have car insurance, you won’t be able to pursue this route. Assuming you have uninsured motorist coverage, you may be able to get help with your medical bills this way.
Another potential option is to sue the driver if they do not have insurance. Though there’s a possibility that the driver does not have substantial assets to pay your medical bills if they were driving without insurance, your personal injury attorney can help you explore various and creative recovery methods.
Contact an Experienced OKC Personal Injury Attorney for Help With Medical Bills After an Accident
For more than 15 years, attorney Bryan Garrett, PLLC, has helped accident victims get the medical treatment they need on a lien basis when they can’t afford to pay out-of-pocket or don’t have health insurance. We have favorable relationships with highly qualified doctors throughout Oklahoma City to ensure you get medical treatment without incurring debt or harming your credit. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
