What You Need to Know About Paying for Medical Bills After a Car Accident in Georgia
Being injured in a car accident can be a challenging and costly experience, especially if someone else was responsible for the accident. Here’s everything you need to know about paying medical bills after a car accident in Georgia.
Settlements for car accidents, which usually involve negligence, happen through one or both parties’ insurance policies. In Georgia, settlements will ideally cover all accident expenses. However, it can take time to arrive at a settlement, and in the meantime, each person injured in an accident is responsible for their expenses.
Related: Georgia Car Accident FAQs
Tips for After a Car Accident in Georgia
After a car accident in Georgia, report the accident to the police.
Collect all contact and insurance information from the parties involved and take photos of any property or vehicle damage. If there were any injuries, be sure to document and report them.
Seek medical attention and contact an experienced accident attorney about filing an insurance claim.
Covering Medical Expenses While Waiting for a Settlement
Once you settle a car accident case in Georgia, the person at fault for the accident will cover all accident expenses. In the meantime, Georgia laws dictate that you are responsible for the cost of your medical care.
When you’ve suffered injuries in an accident in Georgia, you should review your auto insurance to see whether the policy includes Medical Payments Coverage (MPC). MPC immediately pays your medical bills until their limit (which is usually not very high.) MPC will not include a deductible or co-pay.
If you have health insurance, it will cover injuries sustained in a car accident just like it would cover any other health problem. Certain government health insurance plans may also pay your or another family member’s medical bills after an accident.
If you don’t have health insurance and cannot cover your healthcare costs, a medical provider may agree to treat you under the promise of payment after you settle your case. A medical funding company may also help cover medical expenses after an accident in Georgia.
Related: 2nd DUI in Georgia: Penalties & Defenses
Georgia Insurance Fault Laws
Georgia is a “fault” state regarding car accidents, meaning that before an auto company compensates you after an accident, they must know which driver was to blame for the crash. Victims will only get compensation from an insurance company if they are responsible for less than 50% of the damages.
Georgia Auto Insurance Requirements
It’s important to have auto insurance in Georgia—the state requires all drivers to carry minimum auto insurance, with a bodily injury liability insurance of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Georgia also requires property damage liability insurance of at least $25,000 per accident. These minimums will compensate others if you are an at-fault driver but will not reimburse you for your injuries or damages to your car.
If you do not have auto insurance following a Georgia car accident, it’s important to alert your attorney immediately, as that can seriously impact your settlement.
FAQs About Car Accidents in Georgia
What do I do if I have a case pending and a medical billing company contacts me for payment in Georgia?
If you have an attorney, let them know before paying the bill. They can help protect your credit and ensure you receive medical care while negotiating a settlement.
If you do not have an attorney, you can contact your hospital or doctor to explain your injury claim and request they wait for payment until you receive your settlement.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one would like to learn more about Medical Bills After Car Accident Georgia, get your free consultation with one of our Personal Injury Attorneys in Georgia today!