In Texas, if you’re injured in a car accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance is generally responsible for your medical expenses. However, navigating the process requires understanding the law and your rights.
Texas law mandates minimum liability insurance coverage of:
- $30,000 for bodily injury to one person
- $60,000 for bodily injury to multiple people
- $25,000 for property damage
But what if you share some of the blame?
Under Texas’ modified comparative negligence rule, your payout may be reduced if you're partially at fault (up to 50%).
Before filing an insurance claim, it’s wise to consult an experienced personal injury lawyer like those at No Bull Law.
We handle the claims process, gather evidence, and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. Plus, we offer free consultations to help you start your case with no obligation.
Whether the at-fault driver is insured, uninsured or underinsured, knowing your options is crucial. This article breaks down how medical bills are paid after a car accident in Texas—covering PIP, MedPay, and legal options for recovering costs.
While the at-fault driver’s insurance is responsible for covering your medical expenses, claims often take time to process. You’ll likely need alternative options to manage any immediate car accident injury costs in the meantime, which your personal injury attorney can help you explore.
Let’s take a look at your options (if available):
In Texas, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance offers quick financial help for medical care and lost wages after a car accident, no matter who’s at fault.
So, if you didn’t waive it in writing, PIP allows you to handle immediate medical expenses while pursuing claims against the at-fault driver.
Unlike other types of insurance, PIP in Texas doesn’t allow subrogation. This simply means your insurer can’t ask the at-fault driver’s insurance to reimburse them for what they paid out. So, you get to keep more of your settlement without worrying about paying your insurer back.
But keep in mind Texas requires a minimum of $2,500 in PIP coverage (you can choose higher limits for added protection), which may not be enough to cover medical expenses or lost wages after a severe accident.
If your costs exceed this limit, a lawyer can help you pursue additional compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance or by filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Medical Payments (MedPay) is another add-on that car insurance companies offer to cover medical expenses after a car accident, regardless of who’s at fault.
You can use it to pay for hospital bills, surgeries, and nursing care but it doesn't cover lost wages or rehabilitation like PIP insurance.
MedPay is especially useful for those with high-deductible health insurance plans. It covers medical expenses before your health insurance kicks in, helping you manage out-of-pocket costs.
Unlike PIP, MedPay allows insurance companies to seek reimbursement through subrogation (if they choose to), which means it’ll be deducted from the final settlement.
If an auto insurance company contacts you about a subrogation claim, consult your lawyer immediately. They will guide you through the process and help you keep as much of your settlement as possible.
C. Health Insurance
Another option is to rely on your health insurance after a car accident.
Your health insurance company will usually cover your medical bill upfront, but you’ll still need to pay your deductible, copays, or coinsurance.
If the at-fault driver’s insurance accepts responsibility, their insurer may pay the medical provider directly. Alternatively, your health insurance company might recover their costs through subrogation.
If you paid any out-of-pocket expenses, your personal injury attorney will file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance to recover these costs. They’ll take care of the paperwork, handle communication with insurers, and collect all necessary documentation, such as medical bills and receipts, to speed things up.
How PIP, MedPay and Health Insurance Can Pay Your Immediate Medical Bills: An Example
Imagine your total medical bill is $10,000. You’d typically have either PIP or MedPay, as Texas law prohibits having both on an auto insurance policy. Let’s say you had $2,500 coverage on either PIP or MedPay. Let’s also assume a $1,500 deductible on your health insurance.
Here’s how the expenses might be covered:
- PIP or MedPay coverage pays the first $2,500, reducing the bill to $7,500.
- Health Insurance then kicks in, but you must first pay the $1,500 deductible, leaving $6,000.
As a result, health insurance covers 80% of the remaining $6,000 ($4,800) because of coinsurance, a common feature in many plans where the insurer covers 80% and the policyholder pays the other 20% ($1,200).
So, you’d end up paying $2,700 ($1,500 deductible and $1,200 coinsurance) out of pocket.
However, remember that MedPay and health insurance are subject to subrogation?
That means your insurance company can claim the $2,500 MedPay coverage they paid out from your car accident settlement amount, reducing the amount you take home.
Similarly, health insurance is also subject to subrogation, meaning your health insurer can seek reimbursement from your settlement for the $4,800 they paid toward your medical bills. This is an important aspect to consider when selecting any insurance coverage.
How Are Medical Bills Covered If the At-Fault Driver Is Uninsured or Underinsured?
While you can tap into the options mentioned above, you have some additional solutions for when the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance or their policy limits don’t fully cover your injuries and medical expenses:
A. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
In Texas, insurers are required to offer Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage unless you decline it in writing.
This insurance coverage is essential if you're injured by a driver with little or no insurance, involved in a hit-and-run, or hurt in an accident with a stolen vehicle.
UM typically covers:
- Bodily Injury: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident
- Property Damage: $25,000 with a $250 deductible
UIM coverage is designed to fill in the gaps if the at-fault driver’s insurance doesn’t cover all your damages. Initially, their insurance will pay up to its policy limits. If your costs exceed that amount, you can turn to your own UIM policy to recover the remaining damages.
Your lawyer will explore other options if your injuries are serious and the UM/UIM settlement amount doesn’t cut it.
B. Voluntary Payment Plans with the Uninsured Driver
If the uninsured driver has a steady and verifiable income, setting up a voluntary payment plan can be a faster and less costly alternative to going to court.
With this approach, you and the at-fault driver agree on a repayment schedule to cover your costs. Your car accident lawyer will ensure the terms, deadlines, and payment amounts are clear and legally binding so everyone stays accountable.
A well-structured payment plan can help when your UM or PIP coverage doesn’t fully cover your medical costs, especially if the driver is committed to paying.
C. Third-Party Claims
In some situations, the accident victim may pursue compensation from third parties beyond the uninsured driver.
Some of these situations include:
- Employer Liability: If the at-fault driver was working at the time of the accident, your lawyer could file a personal injury claim against their employer under vicarious liability.
- Defective Vehicle Part: If a faulty vehicle part or poor maintenance contributed to the auto accident, your lawyer can pursue a claim against the manufacturer or service provider.
- Dram Shop Liability: In drunk driving accidents, your lawyer can hold the establishment that served alcohol to the driver accountable under dram shop liability.
A skilled car accident lawyer will investigate all possible liable parties and manage the complexities of filing claims against multiple defendants.
If the at-fault driver’s insurance doesn’t fully cover your medical expenses and damages, you can file a personal injury lawsuit to recover the difference.
In Texas, you have two years from the date of the auto accident to take legal action.
But remember:
A lawsuit is typically only worth pursuing if the at-fault driver has substantial assets or a reliable income to pay a court-ordered settlement.
Unsurprisingly, recovering damages is even more difficult when the at-fault driver is uninsured.
Uninsured drivers often don’t have extra assets or a steady income. Plus, Texas’ asset protection laws — like the homestead exemption, which protects primary homes — make it even harder to collect on a judgment.
Your personal injury lawyer can assess the at-fault driver’s finances to see if they’re “judgment-proof,” meaning they don’t have the means to pay a car accident settlement. If that’s the case, filing a lawsuit might lead to costly legal fees with little chance of recovering anything.
Your attorney will help you decide if legal action is worth pursuing or if other solutions make more sense.
How Do Medical Liens and Payment Arrangements with Medical Providers Work?
If you’re waiting on a personal injury settlement, verdict, or auto insurance claim, medical liens can help cover your expenses in the meantime.
A medical lien allows the healthcare provider to get paid directly from your settlement, so you don’t have to pay anything upfront.
Your car accident lawyer can help you find providers who accept this arrangement and negotiate the terms on your behalf. They may also use a letter of protection (LOP), which lets the healthcare provider treat any car accident victim now and receive payment later.
As you can see, having a lawyer on your side is essential — but working with No Bull Law takes it to the next level.
8 Key Benefits of Working with No Bull Law to Recover Your Medical Expenses
You get the following perks when working with No Bull Law:
- Maximized compensation for medical expenses: We ensure your settlement fully accounts for medical bills, future treatments, and other losses, often securing 3 to 3.5 times more compensation than clients without legal representation.
- Detailed investigation to support Your medical claims: Our team gathers medical records, witness statements, and other evidence to build a strong case while you focus on recovery.
- Protection from insurers undermining your medical costs: We handle adjusters who try to minimize payouts so you can receive fair compensation for your medical care expenses.
- Legal representation for personal injury lawsuits: If negotiations fail, we’ll take your case to court, leveraging our assertive and no-nonsense approach to fight for the compensation you deserve.
- Expert guidance through legal complexities: We simplify the legal process, meet deadlines, and guide you through every stage, helping you avoid mistakes that could jeopardize your car accident claim.
- Direct and relatable representation: We communicate directly and keep the legal mumbo-jumbo to a minimum, so you have a clear idea of what goes on every step of the way.
- No fee ‘less we win: With our contingency fee model, you pay nothing upfront and only pay if we win your personal injury case.
- Personalized care that makes you feel valued: At No Bull Law, every client matters. We handle each case with personalized care and attention, so you never feel like just another file on a desk.
Got a few more questions piling up like medical bills?
Let’s tackle them.
3 FAQs Related to Medical Bills After a Car Accident
Let’s clear up any remaining confusion with answers to three frequently asked questions:
1. What Medical Bills Can You Expect After a Car Accident?
After a car accident, you might face a range of medical bills depending on the severity of your injuries. Here are some common types:
- Emergency Care: Includes hospital charges for ER visits, surgeries, diagnostic tests, medications, and ambulance transportation.
- Specialist Consultations: Covers visits to orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, physical therapists, and other specialists needed for specific injuries.
- Imaging and Diagnostics: Involves costs for X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and other tests to assess the extent of your injuries.
- Rehabilitation Services: Covers physical therapy, occupational therapy, or chiropractic care to help restore mobility and strength.
- Prescription Medications: Includes pain relievers, antibiotics, or other drugs prescribed during recovery.
- Follow-Up Visits: Charges for follow-up appointments to monitor progress and adjust treatment plans.
- Assistive Devices: Covers items like crutches, braces, or wheelchairs required for mobility or recovery.
- Home Health Care: Includes nursing care, personal care aides, or other in-home services needed for recovery from serious injuries.
Yes, if your health insurance or MedPay coverage paid for your medical bills, they can place a lien on your settlement to recover those costs.
Likewise, if you agreed to a medical lien with your medical provider, your attorney will ensure they are reimbursed first from your settlement.
The good news is that your attorney can often negotiate these liens, potentially reducing the amount you owe.
3. How Long Does an Insurance Company Have to Pay a Medical Claim in Texas?
In Texas, insurance companies have a total of 35 business days to pay a medical claim, under the Texas Prompt Payment of Claims Act:
- The insurer must acknowledge receipt of the claim, begin an investigation, and request any necessary information within 15 calendar days.
- Once they have received all the required information, they have 15 business days to either approve or deny the claim.
- If they approve the claim, they must pay out within 5 business days.
Don’t Let Your Bills Run Wild: Take Control with No Bull Law
Managing medical bills after a car accident in Texas is hard enough — but it becomes even more overwhelming when you’re also dealing with pain and ongoing medical treatments.
From navigating complicated insurance claims to addressing medical liens or negotiating payment plans, the process can feel impossible for any accident victim to handle alone.
That’s where No Bull Law steps in.
We’ll hold insurers accountable, handle the legal complexities, and fight for the compensation you deserve — while you focus on your health.
Contact No Bull Law today for a free consultation, and let us take the weight off your shoulders.
