When you are in an accident, often there is confusion about who will pay your medical bills. Many accident victims assume that if you forward the bills to the insurance company for the person who hit you, they will be paid. WRONG!
With few exceptions, the insurance company for the person who hit you will not pay anything toward your medical care for accident injuries until you settle the entire case with them. This, of course, gives the insurance company a very strong economic advantage in settling with you.
It is important that you have PIP coverage on your own automobile insurance policy. This is "PERSONAL INJURY PROTECTION." Some auto insurers offer a similar coverage called "med pay." It is the first insurance coverage applicable when you are involved in an accident. There are frequent problems with this coverage and whether your insurance company will pay your medical bills. Under this coverage your auto insurance company will pay a limited amount of your medical bills for only a limited time, usually one year or $10,000 whichever comes first. Some policies offer longer and larger PIP coverages. In any case, the conduct of your insurer is extremely important in how your claim against the at-fault party will be concluded.
Whether your medical billings are paid through your own auto insurance or your health insurance, the company will have a "subrogation" interest with regard to your claim and they require you to reimburse them at the time your claim is resolved. Notwithstanding what your insurance policy says you must do, the law in Washington in some cases.
Some people do not have PIP coverage and/or separate medical insurance coverage. In that case, unfortunately, bills don't get paid and may end up going into collection, if you, the consumer can't make payment on them. While this may seem unfair, medical providers are very concerned about "extending credit" for their services. The bottom line is that the patient is ultimately responsible for billings incurred by them.
If you are having problems getting your bills paid or have more questions regarding medical bills, please forward an e-mail message to us at: 
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Bergstedt Law Office
Medical Bills?
