By Shane Smith – Personal Injury Attorney at Shane Smith Law
You’ve just been in a car wreck. You’re hurt. You went to the hospital. Now your phone rings… and you guessed it, it’s collections.
“Why is the hospital calling me? Shouldn’t the car insurance be paying this?”
This is one of the most frustrating, and confusing I might add, parts of a personal injury case. But don’t worry. You’re not alone, and you’re not doing anything wrong.
Let’s walk through together what’s really happening; and most importantly, what you can do about it.
🚫First, No. The Car Insurance Company Won’t Pay That Hospital Bill Right Away
Car insurance companies usually don’t pay your medical bills as you go. Instead, they want to settle the claim at the end, all at once, when:
- You’re done treating
- They’ve reviewed all the records
- There’s one final lump sum
So even though the crash was someone else’s fault, the hospital will still bill you directly, and they may send it to collections if it’s unpaid.
For a free legal consultation, call (980) 246-2656
📞What Can You Do About Collection Calls?
If you’re getting those calls, here are your options:
- Tell Your Lawyer Immediately
If you’re working with us (or any lawyer), let us know right away. We can send a letter to the hospital or collection agency letting them know:
- This bill is tied to a car accident
- A settlement is pending
- We intend to pay them out of that settlement
Sometimes, that will stop collection activity temporarily; especially if it’s a third-party collection firm.
Larger hospitals? They may not wait. But it’s still worth trying.
- Use Your Health Insurance (If You Have It)
If you have:
- Private health insurance
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- TRICARE
Give that information to the hospital.
Why? Because even if you have to pay some of it back later from your settlement (called “subrogation”), it’s usually way cheaper because:
- Health insurance negotiates discounted rates
- You avoid aggressive collections and interest
- You get peace of mind while you heal
💡Pro tip: Always ask your hospital to bill your health insurance, even if the crash wasn’t your fault.
- Ask About Medical Liens or “Treat on Credit”
Some doctors will treat you on a lien; meaning they agree to wait until your case settles to get paid.
At Shane Smith Law, we’ve built a network of medical providers who:
- Understand personal injury cases
- Are willing to treat clients without upfront payment
- Know they’ll be paid from the settlement later
This can help you avoid collection issues entirely and get the care you need right away.
⚠️What About Lawsuit Loans to Pay the Bill?
Depending on the state, you may be able to take out a loan on your case to pay a medical bill…
…but I don’t recommend it unless it’s absolutely necessary. Why? Because the interest rates are often sky-high. You could borrow $1,000 and owe $2,000 or more by the time your case settles.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
Final Thoughts from Shane
Hospitals want to get paid, and they won’t wait for a case to resolve unless you ask them to or get help from your lawyer.
If you’re getting collections calls:
- Don’t panic
- Don’t ignore them
- Talk to your lawyer ASAP
There are ways to protect yourself, your credit, and your finances while your injury claim moves forward.
📞 In pain? Call Shane! 980-999-9999
💼 Shane Smith Law – Helping You Handle the Headaches After a Wreck
📺 Like this advice? Check out our other blogs and YouTube channel to stay informed on what really happens after a car accident.
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