If you've been injured in a car accident that was not your fault, the other driver or their insurance company is responsible for your medical bills up to a certain point. For other accidents, the person responsible for your injuries is similarly responsible for your damages under California law. Keep in mind that the insurance company will pay you as a reimbursement, not a pay-as-you-go.
The issue for many victims of accidents stems from the insurance company delaying their payout. Even fair settlements can take a while to negotiate, but doctors request money right away. So how are you supposed to pay your medical bills in the meantime?
You have several options. You can turn to your own private health insurance. If eligible, you can pay with Medicare, Medi-Cal, or CHIP. Whether you have private or government-funded health insurance, you would submit your treatment bills to them for payment. Most insured drivers in the state also have Med Pay as part of their insurance coverage, which you can use to pay those out-of-pocket costs that your health insurance didn't cover (think deductibles and co-pays). If you sustained your injury while on the job, California has workers' compensation to pay for your medical expenses.
Finally, an experienced attorney can make arrangements with doctors for you so that you can receive as much care and treatment as you need. When there's an attorney on your side, doctors are often willing to accept contingency payment once you reach a settlement or win a lawsuit against the insurance company. A portion of your damages will go toward reimbursing your health insurance, Medicare, etc.
At the Kohn Law Office, we have over 35 years of experience helping victims of accidents recover for their damages both in and out of the courtroom. You could be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering on top of your medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses. We use our extensive knowledge of personal injury law to determine what your fair compensation should be and then we fight to get you that amount.
With Attorney Russell Kohn on your side, you don't have to worry about paying your lawyer or your doctors. You can focus on recovering physically and mentally from your accident.