QUICK TAKEAWAYS
You do not need to pay medical bills upfront after an accident.
Multiple insurance sources may cover your treatment—including the at-fault driver, med-pay, health insurance, and UM/UIM.
Chiropractors and many specialists will treat you with no insurance using a medical lien.
Delaying medical care can destroy the value of your claim.
An Personal Injury Lawyer helps coordinate treatment, stop collections, and protect your settlement.
Who Pays, What Treatment You Can Get, and Whether You Must Pay Before Settlement
Medical bills are one of the biggest concerns after a car accident or any personal injury. Emergency room visits, chiropractic care, MRIs, and specialist appointments can add up quickly. Many people panic, avoid treatment, or think they have to pay everything out of pocket before their case settles.
You don’t.
In Nevada, California, and Arizona, injured clients have several ways to get the medical care they need without paying upfront. This guide explains who pays for medical bills, how liens and med-pay work, what to do if you have no insurance, and how these bills are handled before settlement. Stay with Edvin Law for more.
Who Pays for Medical Bills After an Accident
After an accident, several different insurance coverages may apply. Depending on how the crash happened, you may have more options than you think.
A. The At-Fault Driver’s Insurance
If another driver caused your injuries, their liability insurance ultimately pays for:
Medical bills
Future medical care
Pain and suffering
Lost wages
Permanent injuries
Important:
This payment comes at the end of your case. Liability insurance does not pay bills as you go.
B. Your Medical Payments Coverage (Med Pay)
Many auto policies include medical payments coverage, also called med-pay.
Med-pay will cover:
Ambulance bills
ER visits
Chiropractic care
Physical therapy
X-rays, MRIs, CT scans
Med-pay has:
No copay
No deductible
No fault requirement
This is usually the fastest way to get treatment paid.
“Patient receiving medical treatment after a car accident, discussing bills and insurance options with a personal injury attorney.”
C. Your Health Insurance covers Medical Bills
If you have health insurance, it will pay your medical bills immediately, even if the accident was someone else’s fault.
Later, your health insurance may require reimbursement from your settlement. This is called subrogation, and your attorney handles it at the end.
D. Letters of Protection (Liens)
If you have no insurance, you can still get medical treatment.
Doctors, imaging centers, orthopedists, and chiropractors often treat accident victims on a lien, also known as a letter of protection.
This means:
No upfront payment
No copay
No billing while treatment is ongoing
Provider is paid from settlement
Attorneys routinely arrange lien-based treatment for injured clients.
E. Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist Coverage
If the at-fault driver:
Has no insurance, or
Has low limits
…your UM/UIM coverage steps in and pays your bills.
This is often the most important coverage in serious accidents.
Can You Go to a Chiropractor With No Insurance?
Yes. Absolutely.
Chiropractors frequently treat accident victims with no insurance and no upfront cost. They accept liens, which allow you to start treatment immediately and pay only once the case resolves.
Chiropractic care helps treat:
Neck pain
Back pain
Muscle spasms
Shoulder injuries
Sciatic pain
Stiffness and mobility issues
How chiropractic liens work:
You receive an exam and treatment plan.
You begin care with no upfront charges.
The bill is placed on hold.
Payment comes from the settlement.
Insurance companies attack claims where the victim delays care. Starting treatment early protects your health and your case.
Do You Need to Pay Medical Bills Before Settlement?
No.
Most medical bills in personal injury cases are paid at the end of the case.
Here’s how different providers handle billing:
1. ER and hospital bills
They may bill your health insurance or hold the bill until settlement. Sometimes they send it to collections—your attorney can intervene.
2. Chiropractors and physical therapists
Usually work on liens.
You pay nothing until settlement.
3. Imaging centers (MRI, CT scan)
Often done on a lien or billed through med-pay.
4. Specialists (orthopedists, neurologists, pain doctors)
Many accept liens.
Some will bill health insurance first.
You almost never pay medical bills out of pocket before settlement unless you choose to.
An attorney manages billing, coordinates treatment, and prevents avoidable financial stress.
Common Problems With Medical Bills — And How to Handle Them
Even with insurance, you may face obstacles. Here’s what to expect and how attorneys address it:
A. Bills Sent to Collections
This happens even when the provider knows it’s an accident case.
Your attorney can:
Contact the provider
Freeze the collection process
Negotiate reductions at settlement
B. Health Insurance Refusing to Pay your Medical Bills
Insurers often deny treatment related to accidents.
Your attorney can challenge the denial or use med-pay or liens to cover it.
C. ER Bills Overcharging
ER visits often cost thousands.
These bills can be negotiated and reduced at settlement.
D. Insurance Claims Treatment Was Unnecessary
A common tactic.
Consistent treatment and documentation protect your claim’s value.
Why You Should Not Delay Treatment Because of Medical Bills
Insurance companies will use gaps in treatment to argue:
You were not injured
Injuries weren’t caused by the accident
Pain “appeared later” from something else
Even a short delay can reduce the value of your claim. Treatment protects your health and the case.
When To Call an Attorney About Medical Bills
You should speak with a lawyer if:
You can’t afford medical bills
A provider threatens collections
Your health insurance denies payment
The at-fault driver’s insurer is delaying
You need treatment but don’t know where to go
You have serious injuries
You want to understand med-pay, UM/UIM, or liens
You want to protect your settlement
An attorney helps you get care, prevents billing issues, and negotiates so you keep more money at the end of the case.
Contact Attorney Edvin Jones for Help With Medical Bills After an Accident
If you were injured in Nevada, California, or Arizona, you can get medical care with no upfront cost. I help clients:
Access chiropractors, imaging, and specialists
Stop or reduce medical collections
Navigate health insurance and med-pay
Fight for full compensation
After an accident, medical bills often feel overwhelming—but you have multiple ways to get treatment without paying upfront. The at-fault driver’s insurance, your med-pay, your health insurance, and lien-based providers all help cover your care. Delaying treatment is dangerous for your health and your case, and an attorney ensures you receive proper treatment, avoid collections, and protect your final settlement.
Contact:
Edvin Jones, Personal Injury Attorney
📧 info@edvin.law
🌐 www.edvin.law
📞 702-337-3430
You do not need to face medical bills or insurance companies alone.
5 FAQs about Medical Bills
1. Can I get treatment even if I have no insurance?
Yes. Many providers offer lien-based care, meaning you pay nothing until your case settles.
2. Will I go to collections before settlement?
Your attorney can prevent or stop collections in most cases.
3. Does med-pay increase my premiums?
No. Med-pay is a no-fault benefit and does not affect premiums.
4. Can I choose my own doctor?
Yes. You are not required to use the insurance company’s recommended doctors.
5. Will my health insurance get reimbursed?
Possibly. This depends on your policy. Your attorney handles these negotiations.
