One of the most popular questions we get at Rad Law Firm is Who Pays My Medical Bills After A Car Accident In Texas?
If you’ve been injured in a car crash in Dallas, Texas, chances are you’ve already gotten hit with something worse than the accident: the medical bills.
Ambulance rides, ER visits, hospital stays, X-rays, MRIs, surgery, physical therapy, prescription medications—the costs add up fast. So the question becomes:
Who pays my medical bills after a car accident in Texas?
At Rad Law Firm, we help injury victims across Dallas and the state of Texas answer that question—and recover the maximum compensation they deserve. Don’t rely on guesswork, bad advice, or insurance companies looking to protect their own bottom line. Let’s walk through exactly how medical bills get paid in a Texas personal injury case, and how we can protect you every step of the way.
Texas Is a Fault-Based State—Here’s What That Means
Texas follows a fault-based system, which means the at-fault driver is legally responsible for all accident-related damages, including:
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Medical expenses (past and future)
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Lost wages
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Pain and suffering
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Property damage
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Other financial losses
Sounds simple, right? Unfortunately, it’s not.
Important: The at-fault party (or their insurance) doesn’t pay medical bills as you go.
They only pay after your claim is resolved, which could take months—or longer.
So how do you pay your medical bills in the meantime? Let’s break it down.
Who Pays My Medical Bills Right After a Car Accident in Texas?
Until your injury claim is settled or won in court, medical bills must be covered by you—or another source. Here are the most common options:
1. Your Health Insurance (Private, Medicaid, or Medicare)
If you have health insurance, it should be your first line of defense:
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Pays for most treatments (ER, surgery, follow-ups)
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You’re still responsible for copays, deductibles, and out-of-network charges
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Your insurer will likely file a subrogation claim (they’ll want to be reimbursed from your settlement)
At Rad Law Firm, we handle lien negotiations with health insurers to maximize your recovery and reduce what you owe.
2. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or Med-Pay on Your Auto Policy
Texas drivers are offered PIP (Personal Injury Protection) coverage when they buy auto insurance. Unless you declined it in writing, you probably have it.
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PIP pays for medical bills and lost wages—regardless of fault
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Med-Pay only covers medical expenses, not wages
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PIP and Med-Pay can be used before your settlement
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Coverage limits typically range from $2,500 to $10,000
We help you file claims under your own PIP coverage without jeopardizing your injury case.
3. Medical Treatment on a Lien Basis
If you don’t have insurance or PIP, we can connect you with medical providers who will treat you now, and get paid later from your settlement.
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No upfront payments required
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Covers everything from imaging to surgery
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Available only to clients with strong personal injury cases
This ensures you get immediate care without going into debt while your case is pending.
4. Out-of-Pocket (Cash or Payment Plans)
Some injury victims pay out of pocket or set up monthly payments with doctors or hospitals. But this often leads to:
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Credit card debt
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Missed payments
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Collection lawsuits
We work directly with medical providers to delay billing or accept liens so you don’t have to carry that burden alone.
What Medical Expenses Can Be Recovered in My Case?
Texas law allows personal injury victims to recover for all reasonable and necessary medical expenses, including:
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Emergency room treatment
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Ambulance transport
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Hospital stays
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Surgery
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MRIs, CT scans, X-rays
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Physical therapy
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Chiropractic care
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Pain management
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Prescriptions
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Future medical treatment
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In-home care and durable medical equipment
At Rad Law Firm, we thoroughly document and fight for every single penny—past, present, and future.
When Will the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Pay?
Not until:
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You’ve completed medical treatment
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We’ve gathered all evidence, records, and bills
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We’ve submitted a demand letter to the insurance company
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We’ve negotiated a full settlement, or
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We’ve taken your case to court and won
This process can take several months to a year or more, depending on the case complexity and whether the insurer fights liability.
What If the Other Driver Has No Insurance?
In Texas, the minimum required auto insurance is:
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$30,000 for bodily injury per person
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$60,000 per accident
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$25,000 for property damage
This often isn’t enough—and some drivers don’t have insurance at all.
✅ Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage
If you’ve been hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, your own auto policy may protect you under UM/UIM.
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Covers medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages
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Doesn’t raise your premiums if you’re not at fault
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Often provides critical coverage when the at-fault driver disappears or is underinsured
We’ll file, fight, and negotiate your UM/UIM claim on your behalf to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
What If I Was a Passenger?
Passengers injured in a car accident in Texas are entitled to full compensation—even if the driver was a friend or family member.
You may be covered under:
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The at-fault driver’s liability insurance
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The driver of the car you were riding in
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Your own PIP or UM/UIM coverage
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Your private health insurance
We’ll uncover every available policy and fight to get your medical bills paid—no matter who was behind the wheel.
What If I Was Partially at Fault?
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule.
You can still recover compensation if you’re less than 51% at fault for the accident. But your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example:
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You’re 30% at fault
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Your total damages = $100,000
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You’d receive $70,000
We build strong cases to minimize your liability and maximize your recovery.
What Is Subrogation and How Does It Affect My Settlement?
If your health insurer, Medicaid, Medicare, or even your own auto policy (PIP or Med-Pay) pays your medical bills, they’ll likely file a subrogation claim.
This means they have a legal right to be reimbursed from your settlement.
At Rad Law Firm, we:
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Review every lien and subrogation claim
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Negotiate reductions
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Challenge inflated or invalid claims
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Put more money in your pocket
Can I Be Sued for Medical Bills While My Case Is Pending?
Yes—unfortunately, some hospitals and providers don’t wait for your case to resolve.
They may:
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Send unpaid bills to collections
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File a lawsuit against you personally
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Damage your credit score
Our firm will communicate directly with your providers, explain your legal claim, and request billing delays or lien arrangements. We take the pressure off your shoulders so you can focus on recovery.
What You Should Do After a Car Accident in Texas
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Get medical treatment immediately – even if you feel okay
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Document all bills, diagnoses, and treatment
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Do not talk to the insurance adjuster without a lawyer
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Contact Rad Law Firm for a free consultation
Why Choose Rad Law Firm?
With over 35 years of experience fighting for injury victims in Dallas and across Texas, we know how to:
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Prove liability
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Calculate future medical costs
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Coordinate treatment with lien-based providers
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Reduce subrogation claims
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Negotiate aggressively with insurers
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Win at trial if necessary
We’ve recovered millions of dollars for injured Texans, and we don’t back down from insurance companies trying to lowball your claim.
🏥 Struggling with Medical Bills After an Accident? Call Rad Law Firm Now.
The sooner you get legal help, the stronger your case. Don’t wait until your bills are in collections or the insurance company convinces you to settle for far less than you deserve.
📞 Call Rad Law Firm at (972) 661-1111 now or use the form on our website to schedule your 100% free consultation.
We serve Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Garland, Irving, and clients across the state of Texas.
You don’t pay a dime unless we win your case.