The unfortunate reality of a car accident is that a family may face unexpected medical expenses in addition to other problems. Emergency room care, doctor appointments, diagnostic tests, physical therapy, prescription drugs, and continued care can lead to bills piling up fast—even before knowing the full extent of the injuries.
For families in Texas, the most basic question becomes: who pays the medical bills?
There are several factors that may affect the answer, including the involved insurance policies, the at-fault party, the kind of medical care, and other aspects such as the medical coverage available to the injured person.
Knowing how medical expenses may be handled can help families make decisions regarding their claims and focus on their recovery.
Important: This article discusses general information about the Texas laws and insurance practices. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Each case and policy are different.
What Happens to Medical Bills After a Texas Car Accident?
Medical expenses do not have to wait for the end of a car accident claim in Texas. In many cases, hospitals, doctors, imaging facilities, therapists, and other providers may start sending bills before the claim is investigated by the insurer.
Depending on the circumstances, medical expenses may potentially be paid through:
- Health insurance of the injured person;
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP), if applicable;
- Medical payments coverage, if available;
- Liability insurance of the responsible driver;
- Underinsured/ uninsured motorist coverage, when applicable;
- and any other type of coverage.
The Texas Department of Insurance explains that PIP and medical payments coverage can help pay medical expenses after an accident, while uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may provide protection when the responsible driver has no insurance or insufficient insurance.
The important point is that the existence of a medical bill does not automatically determine who ultimately bears the cost.
Does the At-Fault Driver's Insurance Pay the Medical Bills?
If the accident was caused by another driver, then his or her liability insurance may ultimately be liable for the covered losses from the accident.
But this does not mean that the insurer of the at-fault party would immediately pay the medical providers for the treatment as it occurs.
An insurance company may be investigating the accident and the medical expenses, among other things, and determine such aspects as:
- How the accident occurred;
- If the insured caused the accident;
- The nature and severity of the injuries;
- Are the medical expenses associated with the accident;
- Available liability insurance limit;
- If any further medical care is needed;
Texas requires drivers to have minimum liability coverage of $30,000 per injured person, up to $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. Drivers may carry higher limits, but minimum limits can become an issue when multiple people are injured or medical expenses are substantial.
Why Insurance Coverage Limits Matter
Here is a hypothetical example.
A family is in an accident where two family members require treatment. As a result, the total medical expenses become very high, while the liability insurance of the responsible driver has limited coverage.
The amount of available insurance limit may become one of the major aspects of the claim.
That is one of the reasons why families should never assume that the receipt of a settlement offer means that all future medical expenses are already covered in this offer.
What Is PIP, and Can It Help With Medical Bills?
Personal Injury Protection (also known as PIP) may be able to provide certain coverage of the medical expenses arising from an accident.
According to Texas Department of Insurance, PIP coverage covers medical expenses of the insured and the passengers, as well as pays certain lost wages and other expenses. PIP is mandatory in Texas auto insurance policy although it may be declined in writing.
The PIP coverage is provided without regard to who caused the accident, according to Texas law.
Families should look into their insurance policy instead of just assuming that it has PIP coverage or that it will pay all medical expenses.
What Is Medical Payments Coverage?
Medical payments coverage (commonly known as MedPay) can help pay for the medical expenses of those who were injured in the accident.
According to Texas Department of Insurance, MedPay can cover the medical bills of the insured and the passengers.
As for the availability and limits of this coverage, it is determined by the insurance policy.
In the context of accident-related medical expenses, checking if MedPay is included in the relevant auto insurance policy can be a good idea.
Can Health Insurance Pay Accident-Related Medical Bills?
Sometimes, a person’s health insurance coverage may be used to pay for his or her treatment in an accident.
That can help families receive necessary treatment without having to wait for the insurance investigation of the auto accident claim.
However, the use of health insurance does not necessarily mean that the issue of medical expenses is finally settled. Depending on the medical insurance plan and circumstances, there may be such things as reimbursement, lien, or subrogation claims that need to be handled in a personal injury claim.
For this reason, families should keep records of:
- Medical bills
- Statements of Explanation of Benefits
- Payment and receipt records
- Correspondence with the insurance
- Prescriptions costs
- Travel costs for treatments
- Future treatment records
Collecting this information can help understand which bills have been submitted, which payments have been made, and which expenses remain unpaid.
What If the Medical Bills Keep Coming?
This is one of the most distressing aspects for families after a major car accident.
Sometimes, treatment may go on for weeks or months. A person may need additional imaging, specialist visits, physical therapy, injections, surgery, or some other treatment.
It means that the total of the medical expenses may not be established right away after the accident.
Don't Assume the First Settlement Offer Covers Everything
Texas Department of Insurance advises consumers to think if they may need additional medical treatment before accepting a settlement offer and signing a release. Signing a release would preclude any further claims related to the accident.
A decision to accept the settlement should be based on the circumstances and facts, and not only the amounts of the current medical expenses.
What If the Other Driver Does Not Have Enough Insurance?
Sometimes, liability insurance of the driver who caused the accident may be not sufficient to cover all losses from the accident.
According to Texas Department of Insurance, uninsured/ underinsured motorist coverage may help in cases when the driver responsible for the accident does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover the losses.
Whether it applies to a particular case is decided according to the insurance policy.
For this reason, families should determine what kind of automobile insurance coverage the driver had at the time of the accident.
What If the Hospital or Doctor Wants Payment Before the Case Is Resolved?
Medical providers may continue billing the patients despite the ongoing investigation of the injury claim.
Depending on the provider and circumstances, there are several things that can be done in order to deal with the outstanding medical bills.
Families should not simply ignore the medical bills because of the involvement of another driver’s insurance company.
Instead, consider:
- Review each bill for correctness
- Provide insurance information
- Keep all copies of the bills and statements
- Make agreements about the payment, when necessary
- Know the balances of the bills that remain unpaid
- Discuss major billing and reimbursement issues with a qualified Texas attorney, if needed
What Records Should Families Keep After a Car Accident?
A simple accident folder can help in managing this difficult situation.
Consider keeping:
- Emergency room records;
- Hospital bills
- Bills of the doctors
- Physical therapy records
- Diagnostic imaging bills
- Prescription costs
- Health insurance statements
- Insurance correspondence
- Police or accident reports
- Medical records
- Appointment dates
- Travel expenses related to treatment
- Missed work records
- Out-of-pocket expenses
And maintaining a timeline of treatment can be useful as well.
For example:
Accident – Emergency treatment – Primary care appointment – Specialist appointment – Diagnostic tests – Physical therapy – Further evaluation
This can help families keep track of what has happened and what treatment remains ongoing.
Should You Keep Treating if You Still Have Pain?
Medical decisions should be made with healthcare professionals.
Sometimes, the extent of injuries in a car accident may not be obvious right away. If the doctor recommends the further treatment, families should discuss it with the healthcare provider instead of discontinuing treatment because of the medical bills.
On the other hand, the treatment itself should be reasonable and based on the medical needs of the patient, and not on the desire to build a claim.
What About Future Medical Expenses?
One of the difficulties in handling the injury claim is estimating if the injured person would need further treatment.
For example, the person may still be undergoing the physical therapy when the insurance company sends a settlement offer.
Before accepting the settlement, it is important to know such details as:
Before making decisions about settlement, it can be important to understand:
- Has the treatment ended
- Does the doctor expect additional treatment
- Would the injury require ongoing treatment
- What medical bills have been generated
- What insurance payments have been made
- What balances remain
- What insurance coverage is available
The exact approach will depend on the facts of the accident and the person’s medical condition.
What Happens to Medical Bills When a Car Accident Claim Settles?
Settlement of the injury claim does not mean that all medical expenses would be automatically covered.
There may be outstanding bills or claims for reimbursement that should be considered.
For example, the insurance company may have paid some medical expenses, while medical providers still have outstanding bills. Depending on the situation, some other party may also be claiming their share in the insurance payment for the accident-related medical treatment.
This is why it is important to understand the medical expenses part of the claim before settling.
What If a Family Member Dies From a Car Accident?
The fatal accident creates other legal and financial difficulties besides those of the regular injury claim.
Families may have to deal with medical expenses before the death, funeral and burial expenses, loss of income, and other damage, depending on the case and the applicable Texas laws.
Since wrongful death and survival claims may have different legal requirements, families who face a fatal accident should consider getting case-specific legal guidance.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Injury Claim in Texas?
In Texas, there is usually a two-years limitation period for filing a personal injury claim. There may be exceptions from it depending on the circumstances. According to the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003, a person must bring a personal injury action within two years from the date of occurrence of the cause of action.
This limitation period should not be taken as a reason to delay.
Investigation, treatment, collection of evidence, and negotiations can take some time. Some other claims may have different deadlines or special rules.
What Should Families Do After a Car Accident?
When medical bills begin arriving, it can be tempting to focus only on the amount owed.
A broader approach may be more helpful.
1. Get Appropriate Medical Care
Listen to healthcare professionals and document your treatment.
2. Notify the Appropriate Insurance Companies
Report the accident as required by your policy and provide requested information.
3. Keep Every Medical Bill
Do not assume that an insurance company, hospital, or doctor is maintaining a complete record for you.
4. Review Your Available Coverage
Search for the PIP, medical payments coverage, uninsured/ underinsured motorist coverage, and health insurance that would apply.
5. Be Careful With Settlement Documents
Before signing a release, understand what claims and expenses it may resolve.
6. Consider Legal Guidance When the Situation Is Complicated
An attorney may be able to analyze the circumstances of the accident, the insurance coverage, the medical expenses, and the claims.
Legal representation is not necessary in every car accident case and depends on the individual case.
Common Questions About Medical Bills After a Car Accident in Texas
Who pays medical bills after a car accident in Texas?
It depends on the circumstances and the insurance coverage. The sources of the payment can include health insurance, PIP, medical payments, liability insurance of the at-fault driver, and uninsured/ underinsured motorist coverage.
Can I use my health insurance after a car accident?
Sometimes, yes. Health insurance may help pay for the accident-related treatment during the investigation of the auto insurance claim. However, there may be reimbursement or subrogation issues later on.
Does the at-fault driver's insurance pay my hospital bills?
The liability insurance of the at-fault driver may compensate the accident-related losses, depending on liability, insurance coverage limits, laws, and other circumstances. However, the payment is not necessarily made to the medical providers as the treatment goes.
What happens if my medical bills are more than the other driver's insurance limits?
The additional insurance coverage may come into play, including your PIP, medical payments, and uninsured/ underinsured motorist coverage, depending on the insurance policies. Texas Department of Insurance suggests reviewing your coverage if the other driver’s limit is insufficient.
Should I pay my medical bills before my car accident claim settles?
There is no single correct answer in every case. Families should discuss this matter with the healthcare providers and the insurers, and keep track of the bills and payments. If there are outstanding medical bills or reimbursement claims, it may be a good idea to seek case-specific legal advice.
Can I settle my claim while I am still receiving treatment?
Settlement may be possible in some cases, but families should understand what may happen if they accept the offer. For example, it is important to understand if any further treatment is expected, or any medical bills remain outstanding.
When Should You Talk With a Texas Personal Injury Lawyer?
It may be a good idea to consult a Texas personal injury attorney if the accident case involves severe injuries, high medical expenses, disputable liability, limited insurance coverage, ongoing treatment, or complicated insurance issues.
An attorney would analyze your case and discuss the legal options available.
At Cain Firm, we focus on helping people to understand their legal options after the accident. If your family faces medical expenses from the Texas car accident, you can learn more about our firm’s services at Cain Firm.
There is no guarantee of the result in every case. The outcome of the legal matter depends on the facts and circumstances.
Final Thoughts: Don't Let Medical Bills Add More Confusion After a Crash
Car accident affects the whole family’s schedule. While one person receives treatment, another is dealing with insurance and the accident paperwork, missing work, fixing the car, and piling up medical bills.
Knowledge of different types of insurance coverage and organization of the records can help in managing this process.
Most importantly, families should not forget that the medical bill is just one aspect of the case. The nature of the injuries, the available insurance coverage, future treatment, liability, and other financial damage are also the factors to consider.
If you are confused about how these issues apply to your case, consider consulting a qualified Texas attorney who would examine your case.
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Attorney responsible for this content: Brett Cain
Primary practice location: Fort Worth, Texas
