So you signed up for new health insurance, and then BAM—you are injured in a car accident. Why do you need a lawyer? Many car accident victims are surprised to learn that the other driver's insurance company will not pay for your medical bills as you recover from your injuries. Even though you were injured because someone else was at fault, you still have to pay for your medical bills as you recover from your injuries—and your health insurance does not cover 100%.

How do car accident medical bills get paid?

Medical Payments Coverage
Under Colorado law, you are responsible for your own medical bills from a car accident. The first thing to do is to report the accident to your own insurance company—even though you were not at fault. (Your insurance does not go up if the car accident was not your fault.) Your own auto insurance probably has $5,000 in Medical Payments Coverage. This coverage is mandatory in Colorado (unless you rejected it in writing) and will pay 100% of all medical bills related to your car accident up to $5,000.

Health Insurance
Medical bills for many auto injuries can cost more than $5,000. After your Medical Payments coverage is used up, you'll need to start submitting your bills to your health insurance. Even if you have health insurance, whether through the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare") or through your employer, you will still be faced with large medical bills that are not covered by your health insurance (co-pays and deductibles can quickly add up to thousands of dollars). These bills can pile up quickly and, if not paid by you, those bills will be put into collections and will get on your credit report.

How can a Colorado Springs accident lawyer help?

Experienced car accident attorneys like Clawson & Clawson know how to navigate the medical bill process for their car accident clients. They can help you access resources and options to postpone payment of uncovered medical expenses until your case against the other driver is resolved.