Who Pays My Medical Bills After a Car Accident in Alabama?

After a car crash, the bills start piling up fast — ER visits, ambulance rides, follow-ups, physical therapy, prescriptions. One of the first questions we get at Ryan & Rouse is:

“Who’s responsible for paying my medical bills after the accident?”

The answer can be complicated — and it may not be who you expect. Here’s how it works in Alabama.

Alabama Is a "Fault" State

In Alabama, the driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for the harm they caused — including your medical expenses. That’s known as a fault-based system.

But here’s the catch: the at-fault driver (or their insurance company) won’t pay anything until your case is settled or a court orders them to. That could take weeks, months, or even longer.

So how do you cover your bills in the meantime?

Options for Paying Medical Bills Before Settlement

✅ Health Insurance

Your health insurance can help pay for your medical treatment up front, even if the accident wasn’t your fault. That includes:

• Private insurance (Blue Cross, Aetna, etc.)
• Medicaid or Medicare
• TRICARE or VA benefits

Important: Your insurer may seek reimbursement from your settlement later through a process called subrogation. We help our clients negotiate these claims to reduce what has to be paid back.

✅ Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)

If you have MedPay on your auto insurance, it can help cover accident-related medical bills, regardless of fault. Common limits range from $1,000 to $10,000.

MedPay can be used for:

• Ambulance services
• ER visits
• Chiropractic or physical therapy
• Copays and deductibles

It’s optional, but extremely helpful. We’ll check your policy to see if you have it.

✅ Letters of Protection (LOPs)

If you don’t have insurance or can’t afford out-of-pocket costs, we can help you get treatment under a Letter of Protection — an agreement with your medical provider that they’ll treat you now and get paid later from your settlement.

We work with a network of doctors, orthopedists, physical therapists, and imaging centers willing to work this way.

What Happens When the Case Settles?

Once your personal injury claim settles, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will issue a lump-sum payment. From that amount, your:

• Medical bills
• Subrogation claims(from health insurance or Medicare/Medicaid)
• Attorney’s fees and costs

…are paid. The remainder goes to you as compensation for your pain, suffering, lost wages, and future care.

At Ryan & Rouse, we don’t just fight for top-dollar settlements — we also negotiate down medical liens and bills so you take home more of what you deserve.

Don’t Wait — Medical Bills Can Hurt Your Credit

Even though the crash wasn’t your fault, unpaid medical bills can still go to collections if not handled properly. That’s why it’s so important to work with a personal injury lawyer who understands how to manage treatment and liens from day one.

Let Us Help You Recover — Physically and Financially

At Ryan & Rouse, we make sure your medical care is handled the right way from the start. We’ll help you find the right doctors, understand your coverage options, and protect your credit while we fight for your settlement.

📞 Call us at (256) 801-1000 today to schedule a free consultation. You don’t pay us unless we win — and we’ll work to make sure you get every dollar you’re owed.