The crash happened in an instant. The semi merged into your lane, sending your car spinning across three lanes of traffic. As you recover from surgery and wonder when you'll be able to return to work, the bills are piling up. How will you pay for all this, especially when the trucking company is dragging its feet?
If you're facing medical debt after a truck accident, you're not alone. The St. Louis truck accident lawyers at Finney Injury Law understand the financial pressure victims face after a truck crash. While we fight to secure the compensation you deserve, here are some strategies to manage your medical expenses.
The Trucking Company's Responsibility for Medical Bills
Trucking companies and their insurers will not voluntarily cover your medical costs as they are incurred. In fact, they'll go to great lengths to avoid paying anything until they must. This often means you're left holding the bill while your case progresses, which can feel overwhelming when you cannot work and face an uncertain future.
However, this doesn't mean you're out of options. An experienced truck accident attorney can help you explore alternative payment methods and negotiate with providers to ease the financial burden.
Using Health Insurance for Accident-Related Medical Bills
If you have health insurance through an employer or a private plan, you can use it to pay for medical treatment related to your truck accident. This includes expenses like:
- Emergency room visits
- Surgeries and hospital stays
- Doctor appointments
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medications
- Diagnostic tests like X-rays and MRIs
You'll still be responsible for any copays, deductibles, or coinsurance under your plan, but using health insurance can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Instead of paying the full amount of your medical bills, you'll only be responsible for your plan's cost-sharing requirements.
Your attorney can help you with the claims process and ensure your treatment is covered to the fullest extent possible. They'll also work with your providers to ensure your care isn't interrupted while claims are pending.
Options When You Don't Have Health Insurance
If you don't have health insurance or your plan doesn't cover all your medical expenses, your St. Louis truck accident lawyer can help you explore other options:
- Medical liens. Some healthcare providers will agree to treat you in exchange for a lien on your future settlement. This means they'll provide care with the understanding that they'll be paid from your compensation once your case resolves. Your attorney can negotiate these liens to ensure they're fair and don't use too much of your settlement.
- Medical payment coverage. If you have med pay coverage under your own auto insurance policy, you can use it to cover accident-related healthcare costs, typically up to a set limit. Your attorney can help you understand your coverage and submit claims.
- Deferred payment plans. Sometimes, a lawyer can arrange deferred payment plans with medical providers. Under these arrangements, you'll receive necessary treatment with the agreement to pay later, often after your case settles.
Work closely with your St. Louis truck accident lawyer to find the best approach for your situation. They can handle discussions with providers, negotiate favorable terms, and ensure your treatment needs are met while your case is pending. This lets you focus on your physical recovery without worrying about the cost.
Repaying Health Insurance After a Truck Accident Settlement
In some cases, Missouri's anti-subrogation laws protect injury victims from having to reimburse their health insurance for medical expenses related to an accident. However, certain plans have variations and exceptions, including those governed by federal law (ERISA) and government-funded programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
If your health insurance falls under one of these exceptions, your provider may be entitled to reimbursement from your settlement. An experienced truck accident attorney can negotiate with your insurer to minimize the amount you must repay and ensure you still receive the maximum compensation possible.
Your attorney will also ensure any liens or reimbursement claims are satisfied from your settlement proceeds, so you don't have to worry about handling these payments yourself. They'll fight to maximize your recovery while ensuring all obligations are met.
How Fault Affects Compensation
Missouri is a pure comparative fault state, meaning liability is apportioned based on each party's degree of responsibility for the accident. This can significantly impact compensation and your ability to recover medical expenses.
Your attorney will work to gather evidence from the accident scene, truck company records, witness statements, and expert analysis to build a strong case for the trucking company's liability. The stronger the evidence, the more leverage you'll have in settlement negotiations and the greater your chances of recovering full compensation for your medical expenses.
However, even if the trucking company is found primarily at fault, they may still try to shift some blame to you to reduce their financial responsibility. You need an experienced truck accident attorney to counter these tactics and protect your right to full compensation.
Don't Let Medical Bills Overwhelm You
If you've been hurt in a truck accident, you have enough to worry about without the added stress of medical bills. Let the St. Louis truck accident lawyers at Finney Injury Law handle the legal and financial details so you can focus on healing. We'll explore every option to manage your expenses, advocate for your interests, and fight for the full compensation you deserve. You didn't ask to be put in this position and shouldn't have to bear the financial burden alone. We can help you get the care you need while protecting your right to recovery.