Who Pays My Medical Bills After an Indiana Car Accident?

Who Pays My Medical Bills After an Indiana Car Accident?

After a serious car crash, one of the first questions most people ask is: “Who’s going to pay my medical bills?” If you’ve been injured in Indiana, the answer isn’t always simple, but knowing your options can help you protect yourself financially and medically.

Indiana Is a Fault State

Indiana is not a no-fault state. That means the driver who caused the accident and their insurance company should ultimately be responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. But here’s the problem: their insurer usually doesn’t pay bills as they come in. They wait until your treatment is finished, then try to settle the entire claim at once. In the meantime, those medical bills are your responsibility.

Your Options While You Wait

So how do you handle medical bills before a settlement? Here are common sources of coverage:

• Your health insurance: If you have health insurance, it can be used to pay for treatment right away. Later, your health insurer may be reimbursed from any settlement through a process called subrogation.

• Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage: Many Indiana auto policies include optional MedPay coverage, which pays medical bills for you and your passengers, regardless of fault.

• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage: If the other driver doesn’t have enough insurance, your own UM/UIM coverage can help cover your damages.

• Negotiated or deferred billing: Some medical providers will agree to treat you now and wait for payment until your claim resolves, especially if your attorney provides a letter of protection.

  
  

Why an Attorney Matters

Insurance companies are skilled at delaying, denying, or minimizing payments. Without representation, you may end up shouldering bills that should never have been yours in the first place. A skilled attorney can:

• Coordinate with providers to reduce financial pressure while your case is pending.

• Make sure all available coverages are used.

• Fight for a settlement that covers not just today’s bills, but your future medical needs too.

  
  

Take Action Now

If you’re facing mounting medical debt after an accident, don’t wait until collectors start calling. An experienced Indiana car accident lawyer can step in, protect your rights, and pursue the compensation you need.

Your health should come first. We’ll take care of the rest. Call Brinkley Law today at 317-766-1379.