Can I Use My Health Insurance After an Accident with an Uninsured Driver?

Key Highlights:

Yes, you can use your health insurance after an accident with an uninsured driver to cover medical expenses. Health insurance can help pay for doctor visits, hospital stays, and other treatments related to the accident. However, you’ll still be responsible for deductibles, co-pays, and out-of-pocket costs depending on your policy.

If you have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage in your auto insurance policy, it can help cover medical expenses that your health insurance might not. It’s also essential to notify your health insurer about the accident and keep thorough records of all medical treatments.

However, if your health insurance doesn’t cover all the expenses, you can explore other options. Uninsured motorist coverage from your car insurance might help cover additional costs, or you could consider filing a lawsuit against the uninsured driver to recover the rest. Understanding how these coverages work will help you manage your medical expenses more effectively.

Here’s how it works:

How Health Insurance Helps During Accident with Uninsured Driver

Health insurance is there to help you pay for doctor visits, hospital stays, and other medical treatments you might need. After an accident, your health insurance can cover the costs of things like:

• Emergency room visits
• Doctor’s appointments
• X-rays and tests
• Physical therapy
• Medications

Just like it would for any other injury or sickness, your health insurance can step in and help pay for your medical care, even if the other driver didn’t have car insurance.

What If My Health Insurance Doesn’t Cover Everything?

Sometimes, your health insurance may not cover all of your medical expenses, or there might be costs that you have to pay out of pocket. In this case, you could:

• File a lawsuit: If the uninsured driver is at fault, you may have the option to take legal action to recover compensation for your medical expenses. A lawyer can guide you through the process and help you file a claim after an accident with an uninsured driver to ensure your case is strong.
• Check state programs: Some states have funds or programs to help people who were injured by uninsured drivers. You can see if your state offers this kind of assistance.

Will I Have to Pay My Health Insurance Company Back?

In some cases, your health insurance company might want to be reimbursed if you win money in a lawsuit or through uninsured motorist coverage. This is called subrogation, and it means that your health insurance company can ask to be paid back for the medical bills they covered. This doesn’t always happen, but it’s something to be aware of.

Talk to an Attorney

If you’re not sure how to pay for your medical bills after an accident with an uninsured driver, talking to an uninsured motorist accident lawyer can help. They can explain your options and help you figure out how to get your medical bills covered without extra stress.

All our cases are handled contingently, so you only have to pay us once we win. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. 

Meet Your Atlanta Personal Injury Attorney

At Wetherington Law Firm, our Atlanta personal injury attorneys are highly experienced in handling cases involving uninsured drivers. We’ve helped many clients work through health insurance claims and recover additional compensation when necessary. Featured on trusted legal platforms like Justia and FindLaw, our team is well-respected in the legal community. Beyond legal advocacy, we’re proud to give back to the Atlanta community through charitable work and local events.

How Our Atlanta Injury Attorneys Can Help

If you’ve been in an accident with an uninsured driver, Wetherington Law Firm is here to assist. Here’s how we can help:

• Work with Health Insurance: We can help you coordinate with your health insurance to make sure your medical bills are covered, while also guiding you through any subrogation processes (where your health insurance company might seek reimbursement if you win a settlement).
• Help with Medical Bills: If your health insurance doesn’t cover everything, we’ll help you recover compensation through other avenues, such as uninsured motorist coverage or a lawsuit against the uninsured driver.
• Recover Lost Wages: If you missed work due to your injuries, we’ll help you get compensation for lost income. 
• Property Damage: We can also assist in recovering compensation for vehicle repairs or replacement. Learn more about how to handle property damage after an uninsured driver hits you.
• Emotional Recovery: Beyond the physical, we can seek compensation for emotional distress related to the accident.

Important Initial Advice

If you’ve been injured in an accident, follow these steps to protect both your health and your legal case:

• Attend All Medical Appointments: Make sure you follow your doctor’s advice and keep all records of your treatment.
• Stay Off Social Media: Avoid posting about the accident or your injuries online, as this can impact your claim.
• Don’t Accept the First Offer: Insurance companies often offer low settlements at first. Talk to us before accepting any offers.
• Careful Communication: Be cautious in communications with insurance companies, as they may try to minimize your claim.
• Contact a Personal Injury Attorney: It’s important to get legal help as soon as possible to protect your rights.

Deadlines

In Georgia, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is generally two years from the date of the accident. Failing to file within this time frame could result in losing your right to seek compensation. Contact Wetherington Law Firm as soon as possible to ensure your claim is filed on time.

Gathering Evidence

To build a strong case, it’s essential to gather the following evidence as soon as possible:

• Police Documentation: The police report will provide details of the accident, including who was at fault. 
• Medical Records: Keep detailed records of your injuries and treatments.
• Eyewitness Statements: These can help provide additional support for your case.
• Photo/Video Evidence: Take photos or videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries.

We know that gathering evidence can be overwhelming, especially when you’re recovering from an injury. Our legal team will handle this task for you, so you can focus on healing while we build your case.

What Can I Expect to Pay?

At Wetherington Law Firm, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t have to worry about legal fees unless we win your case. You only pay if we recover money for you.

Conclusion

Yes, you can use your health insurance after an accident with an uninsured driver to cover your medical bills, just like you would for any other injury. 

At Wetherington Law Firm, we’re here to guide you through the process, ensuring that you get the compensation you deserve—whether it’s through your insurance or additional legal action Contact us today for a free consultation at (404) 888-4444 and let us help you navigate this challenging time.