Working out who pays for your medical bills after a car accident in Texas can be more complicated than you expect. In most cases, the at-fault driver’s insurance is responsible, but your own coverage may step in early to cover emergency care. Knowing how these payments work after a car accident can help you avoid delays and protect yourself from unnecessary costs.
When Your Own Auto Insurance Pays First
Your own auto insurance may be the first to pay your medical bills after a car accident, depending on the type of coverage you selected. In Texas, personal injury protection (PIP) or MedPay can help cover costs right away, even if you were not at fault. While insurance companies are required to offer PIP, drivers can reject it in writing. MedPay is completely optional and may offer more limited coverage, but both types can help you manage expenses while your claim is still pending.
How PIP Coverage Works in Texas
PIP is designed to help cover medical bills, lost income, and other accident-related costs that come out of your pocket. It can also pay for transportation, child care, or other essentials while you recover.
Under Texas Insurance Code § 1952.151, PIP coverage must be offered with every auto insurance policy, and many drivers choose to keep it for added security. The amount available depends on your policy, but it often gives families a way to get treatment quickly without waiting for fault to be decided.
What MedPay Covers Compared to PIP
MedPay only applies to medical bills. It does not cover lost wages or other out-of-pocket costs like transportation or child care. Many drivers rely on it for ambulance fees or co-pays. Others use it to get a basic exam or follow-up care after a crash.
Unlike PIP, MedPay offers limited protection but can still help if you do not have health insurance. Some families use it to pay deductibles or bridge gaps in coverage while waiting on other claims.
Why Using Your Own Insurance Does Not Mean You Are at Fault
Using your own insurance after a car accident does not mean you caused the crash. First-party benefits like PIP and MedPay exist to support your recovery, regardless of who was responsible.
Filing with your own carrier is not an admission of fault. These policies are there to help you get care early without delays from insurance disputes.
When the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Pays
If another driver caused your car accident, their liability insurance may be responsible for covering your medical expenses. This type of insurance helps pay for injuries they cause, including treatment, recovery, and ongoing care. In Texas, every driver is required to carry a minimum amount of bodily injury liability coverage. Expenses that may be covered include:
- Emergency room bills
- Ambulance costs
- Follow-up care
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medication
- Diagnostic testing
- Imaging scans
- Rehabilitation services
The Texas Transportation Code § 601.072 requires most drivers to carry at least $30,000 in bodily injury coverage per person and $60,000 per accident. These limits may not be enough to cover serious injuries or long-term treatment. When that happens, additional options may be available to help with the remaining costs.
When Health Insurance Helps Cover Expenses
Health insurance may help pay your medical bills after a car accident, especially while legal claims are still in progress. Many policies cover doctor visits and hospital stays. Some also help with prescription costs while you recover. In some cases, your health insurer may later seek reimbursement from any settlement you receive.
Coordination Between Auto Insurance and Health Insurance
Your health insurance and auto insurance may both apply after a crash, but one will usually be considered primary. If you used PIP or MedPay through your auto policy, those benefits may apply first. After that, your health plan may cover remaining costs based on your deductible and policy limits.
Health insurers often have subrogation rights, which means they can ask for repayment if you recover money from another source. This process happens behind the scenes, but it can affect how much of your settlement you keep.
How Coverage Differs for Severe or Catastrophic Injuries
Health insurance can offer important support in the weeks and months that follow a catastrophic injury, but it may not be enough on its own. These situations often involve longer hospital stays, multiple surgeries, and long-term rehabilitation.
Out-of-pocket costs can add up quickly, especially when care extends beyond what your plan covers. Families dealing with a catastrophic injury may need to explore every available option to keep up with expenses during recovery.
Why Health Insurance Does Not Eliminate Legal Claims
Even with insurance, you may still be left paying for part of your care after a car accident. Many policies do not cover everything, especially when treatment is ongoing or highly specialized.
According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 140.001 health insurers are allowed to seek reimbursement if you receive a settlement. This does not prevent you from bringing a legal claim. It simply affects how the final amount may be divided.
When Alternative Sources Cover Car Accident Bills
Depending on the details of your case, someone other than the drivers involved may be responsible for paying some or all of your medical bills. These situations are less common but can provide important financial relief when standard insurance is not enough. Examples of alternative sources include:
- Employer coverage for company car crashes
- Rideshare company policies
- Rental car coverage
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policies
- Bar or restaurant liability in drunk driving cases
- Government claims for dangerous road conditions
- Product liability for defective vehicle parts
- Commercial vehicle insurance policies
These additional sources can help cover gaps that traditional insurance does not address. If you are pursuing a personal injury claim, it may be worth looking into whether one of these situations applies. Each case is different, and these options should be reviewed carefully so you can get the most out of your claim.
Learn Who May Be Responsible for Your Medical Bills After a Texas Car Accident
It is not always clear where the money will come from after a crash, especially when multiple insurance policies or third parties are involved. You can contact us to speak with your car accident lawyer in Dallas from Goff Law, PLLC about how medical bills are handled in cases like yours. We will listen to what you are going through and explain what options you may have if the bills are already starting to pile up.