Who Pays for Medical Bills After a Car Accident in Ohio?
Brought to you by Zaber Law – Personal Injury Attorneys Serving Northeast Ohio
After a car accident, one of the first questions most people have is:
“Who’s going to pay for all these medical bills?”
Between ambulance rides, ER visits, follow-ups, physical therapy, and prescription costs, medical expenses add up fast—even for injuries that seem minor at first. If you’re confused about who’s responsible for paying those bills, you’re not alone.
At Zaber Law, we help injured clients across Ohio understand their rights and get the compensation they deserve. Here’s what you need to know about who pays for your medical care after a car crash in Ohio.
🚗 Ohio Is an “At-Fault” State
This means the person who caused the accident is generally responsible for paying for the damages—including your medical expenses. But that doesn’t always mean their insurance company will pay up quickly, or even fairly. That’s why knowing your options matters.
💰 Who Pays for Medical Bills Right After the Crash?
In the days and weeks immediately following your accident, your bills might be paid by:
1. Your Own Health Insurance
If you have health insurance, it will typically cover your treatment. However:
- You may still have to pay deductibles and co-pays.
- Your insurance company may later ask to be reimbursed if you get a settlement from the at-fault driver.
2. Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)
If you purchased MedPay as part of your auto insurance policy, it can help cover immediate medical costs—regardless of who was at fault. Not everyone has MedPay, so it’s a good idea to check your policy.
3. Out of Pocket
If you don’t have insurance or MedPay, you may need to cover costs upfront until the at-fault driver’s insurance company accepts liability and pays a settlement.
🔄 When Does the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Pay?
If the other driver was clearly at fault, their insurance will eventually be responsible for your medical expenses. But there’s a catch:
They won’t pay your bills as they come in.
They typically pay once, in a lump-sum settlement after your treatment is complete.
This can leave accident victims in a financial bind—which is why having a personal injury attorney is so important.
🛡️ What If the At-Fault Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance (or Enough of It)?
Unfortunately, some drivers in Ohio don’t carry insurance—or not enough to cover your expenses. That’s where uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) on your own policy comes in.
If you have UM/UIM coverage:
- It helps pay for your medical bills if the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.
- It may also cover lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
⚖️ How Zaber Law Helps You Get Compensated
When you hire Zaber Law, we handle the legal side of your accident so you can focus on healing. We:
- Investigate your accident and gather medical records
- Deal with the insurance companies for you
- Fight to make sure you’re not stuck with medical bills that aren’t your fault
- Negotiate for the full settlement you deserve
And remember: We don’t get paid unless you win.
📞 Injured in a Car Accident? Let’s Talk.
Still unsure who’s paying your bills—or worried about how you’ll afford care? Don’t wait. Let’s make sure your rights are protected.
📞 Call Zaber Law today at 216-367-5665 to schedule your FREE consultation
We’ll help you understand your options and fight for every dollar you deserve.
