Medical bills are often the most expensive part of an auto accident. A serious injury could force you to pay hospital fees and treatment costs for the rest of your life. The lifetime costs of a catastrophic or disabling injury could reach the millions. The average expense of a paralyzing spinal cord injury at the age of 25, for example, ranges from $1.5 million to over $4.7 million. Even a minor personal injury could run you into the thousands in medical costs. Find out who may be responsible for paying your medical bills after an accident in West Virginia.

Will My Car Insurance Pay My Medical Bills?

West Virginia is a fault state, which means it uses the traditional system when determining who will pay for damages after a car accident. Under the state’s fault law, the person or party that caused the crash will absorb financial responsibility. In the beginning, your health insurance company may pay for your medical bills while you receive emergency care. This prevents you from having to pay out of pocket. If you do not have insurance, you may go into debt with the hospital. A hospital cannot lawfully refuse you care if you do not have insurance or cannot afford the bills.

Upon identifying the at-fault party for your auto accident, file an injury claim with that party’s auto insurance provider. Every driver in West Virginia must carry at least $20,000 in bodily injury coverage per person and $40,000 per accident. This insurance should cover the costs of your medical care up to the policy’s maximum. You may need to hire a personal injury lawyer in West Virginia to negotiate with the insurance company for fair recovery. If the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance to cover the full costs of your medical expenses, your insurance may provide the rest.

If you caused the car accident or the at-fault driver does not have insurance, file a claim to damages with your own insurance provider instead. A few different types of car insurance will cover your medical bills in an at-fault crash, but all go beyond West Virginia’s bare minimum insurance requirements. You must have purchased additional collision, comprehensive and/or uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance for coverage for an at-fault crash. If you do not have the right type of coverage and caused your own injuries, you may have to pay for your medical bills out of pocket.

Do I Have to Pay Medical Bills From My Settlement?

If someone else did cause your car accident, that party should be legally responsible for repaying the costs of your doctor’s visits, travel expenses, x-rays, treatments, medications, nursing care and medical devices. The at-fault party will be accountable for your past and future accident-related medical bills. Most car accident claims achieve settlements that end in checks for victims without having to go to court. If the at-fault party’s insurer refuses to offer a fair amount to cover your medical costs, however, you may need to take the claim to court.

Either way, once you receive a check from the at-fault party for your auto accident damages, you may need to spend part of it repaying your medical debts. An insurance company, judge or jury may have included an amount in your award to cover all past and future medical care. If you have gone into debt with a hospital or insurance company during the claims process, these parties will receive a chunk of your settlement first. Then, you will need to pay your West Virginia accident attorney his or her service fees and court costs out of what is left. An attorney can help you divide your settlement among the correct parties to get you out of debt before you take home the rest of the award. An attorney can also help you find medical financing if you struggle to pay your hospital bills during the claims process.

Attorney Timothy Manchin established the Manchin Injury Law Group in 2011 after his law partner of more than 25 years became a West Virginia circuit court judge. His focus is on helping individual clients and entire families victimized by negligent acts.

  • Taylor Downs was easy to talk to (I do not speak the legal language well!) and was very upfront and honest about the entire process of my case. He kept me updated as the case progressed, and answered my relentless questions. The end result was a favorable settlement that I’m not sure could have been any better with anyone else. In short, go see Taylor if you have a case. Don’t be intimidated to go seek his help, he won’t blow your brains out with “legal speak”.

    - PAUL MOUSER

  • Being referred to Taylor was the best thing I could have asked for. Taylor and staff are very easy to talk to. I would highly recommend them to anyone.

    - DAWN FRISENDA

  • If I ever have to go through it again I would definetly call Taylor right away. The group was so helpful through my situation and handled everything that needed to be done. They made a stressful situation a stress free situation. With Taylor you dont have to worry about one thing. Definietly would recomend to anyone.

    - TAYLOR G.

  • Efficient, knowledgeable, and friendly.

    - NOAH SCHUMAKER

  • Taylor and Tim helped make a difficult moment in life, a little more bearable. Easy to communicate with and informative. I will absolutely recommend them to everyone.

    - ANONYMOUS

  • Manchin Injury Law Group, Took care of me when I got into a car accident while I was pregnant. Very scary moment for a first time mom but thankfully Manchin Injury Law Group had my back and treated me great. They made me feel as if I was part of their family. My son is now 7 Months Old and very happy and healthy. I’m very thankful for them for helping me through everything and getting me what we deserved. I 100% would recommend them to anyone. If I ever have an accident again they will be my number 1 phone call!

    - SHAWNNA SHAFFER

  • The support given helped me to feel like I was included in my personal injury case every step of the way. I was informed about the entire process throughout. It was amazing how quick the turn around time was and I would definitely recommend Attorney Timothy J. Manchin to anyone!

    - ANONYMOUS

  • Taylor and Kelly worked hard on my case so I didn’t have to. Thanks guys!

    - TERRI L. ARMENTROUT

  • Excellent experience dealing with Manchin Injury Law. They were very responsive, professional and easy to talk to. I did my homework before I hired a lawyer after my accident and I am so glad I found Manchin Injury Law Group. If you are injured, give them a call!

    - VILLA COVENANTS

  • Taylor and Tim helped make a difficult moment in life, a little more bearable. Easy to communicate with and informative. I will absolutely recommend them to everyone.

    - CHAD BILOTTA

  • Kelly and Taylor did all the hard work so that I didn’t have to. They both cared about my circumstance and got me a nice settlement. Taylor knows what he is doing and I felt comfortable with my case in his hands.

    - JASON + STACIE MORGAN

  • Great lawyers. They helped me with a West Virginia case.

    - JOSEPH SAUNDERS

  • Such a great experience with Taylor and this firm. Thankful for their diligence and their work on our case. Thank you to all!

    - RENEE FLORENCE WARNER

  • Had a easy and smooth experience with a great attorney so when you go there make sure you ask for Taylor.

    - TIM CROSS

  • My experience at the Manchin Injury Law Group was extremely positive, and I would recommend them to anyone who needs a compassionate and experienced lawyer on their side.

    - TAMMY LACARIA

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