After a serious truck accident, the ambulance ride is likely only the first of the treatment (and associated medical bills) you’ll need. With ER visits, surgeries, and long-term rehab, the costs can spiral fast.
If you’re recovering from a crash involving a commercial truck, you may wonder: Who pays for this, and how can I avoid drowning in medical debt?
Truck accident claims often involve multiple liable parties, complex insurance policies, and large medical bills, making it essential to understand your options and protect your rights from day one.
Read on to learn how medical expenses are handled after a truck accident in Nebraska and how an experienced truck accident lawyer can help ensure your current and future medical care is fully covered.
Health Insurance: First Line of Payment
If you have health insurance, it will likely be your first source of coverage for medical treatment after a truck accident. Your health insurance should cover services like:
- Emergency room visits
- Hospital stays
- Surgery and imaging
- Follow-up care and physical therapy
However, you may still be responsible for deductibles, co-pays, and out-of-network charges. These out-of-pocket expenses can add up quickly, especially if you require long-term treatment.
Your health insurance provider may place a lien on any settlement you receive. This means they may seek reimbursement for the medical bills they paid for you from the portion of the settlement designated for medical expenses, which can reduce your final payout unless negotiated by your lawyer.
MedPay Coverage: Optional, But Helpful
Medical Payments coverage, or “MedPay,” is optional insurance you may have through your auto policy. It pays for your medical expenses up to the coverage limits, regardless of who was at fault in the crash. It’s often used for:
- Ambulance fees
- Initial hospital treatment
- Diagnostic tests
- Funeral expenses in fatal crashes
MedPay bridges the gap between your injury and a future settlement, easing early financial stress.
Liability Insurance: Holding the At-Fault Parties Accountable
When a truck driver, trucking company, or another party is responsible for the crash, their liability insurance should cover your damages, including medical bills. This is usually handled through a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
However, liability insurance only becomes applicable once fault is established and a settlement or court verdict is reached. That process can take months or even years, when fault is disputed. In the meantime, you may still need to pay bills or deal with creditors, which is why having a lawyer on your side is so important.
The Role of a Personal Injury Claim
A personal injury claim allows you to pursue compensation for all accident-related losses, including:
- Emergency medical care
- Hospitalization and surgery
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Future treatments or procedures
- Medications and medical devices
- Travel expenses for medical care
- Lost wages due to time off work for treatment and recovery
A skilled Nebraska truck accident lawyer can help you calculate the full scope of your medical costs, including future related medical needs that might not be immediately obvious. They’ll also work with your medical providers and insurance companies to ensure your bills are accounted for and that any liens are negotiated fairly.
Why Medical Records Matter
To support your claim, you’ll need detailed and organized medical records. These documents prove the extent of your injuries and help establish a direct connection between the crash and the treatment you’ve received.
Key documents include:
- ER and hospital records
- Doctor’s notes
- Test results and imaging reports
- Prescription lists
- Physical therapy logs
- Receipts and billing statements
Keep everything, and avoid skipping appointments because it can hurt your health and claim.
Medical Liens and Billing Concerns
In some cases, healthcare providers may agree to place a medical lien on your case, meaning they will delay payment until your settlement comes through. This helps you avoid collections, but can impact how much money you receive.
An experienced attorney can work to reduce or eliminate these liens and negotiate your bills so you aren’t left with medical debt even after receiving a settlement.
Don’t Face Medical Bills Alone
Truck accidents are medically and legally complicated. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when dealing with insurance companies, lien holders, and billing departments.
At Friedman Law Offices, our Nebraska truck accident lawyers fight to ensure that every dollar of your medical care—past, present, and future—is considered. We’ll work with your doctors, negotiate liens, and handle insurance red tape so you can focus on healing.
Contact us today for a free consultation to learn how we can help you recover the maximum compensation you need and deserve.