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July 25, 2025Hillstone Law – California Car Accident Attorneys
After a car accident in California, getting medical attention should always be your top priority. Whether you’re taken to the emergency room by ambulance or require surgery and hospitalization in the days following the crash, medical care can quickly become expensive. At Hillstone Law, we understand how overwhelming these hospital bills can be — and we’re here to help you navigate your legal and financial options.
Who Pays for Hospital Bills After a Car Accident?
If another driver was at fault, you may be entitled to full reimbursement for your hospital and medical expenses. However, these costs are typically not paid until your personal injury claim is resolved — which may take several months, especially if you are still recovering or haven’t yet reached maximum medical improvement (MMI).
How Can You Cover Medical Costs in the Meantime?
While your case is pending, there are several ways you can manage hospital bills:
- Private Health Insurance – Your policy may cover treatment while you wait for your claim to settle.
- Government Programs – Medi-Cal, Medicare, or CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) may be available, depending on your eligibility.
- Med Pay Coverage – If you have medical payments coverage through your auto insurance policy, it can help pay bills regardless of who was at fault.
What Happens If You Can’t Pay Right Away?
If you don’t have insurance or another way to cover hospital fees, the hospital may file a lien on your personal injury settlement. This means they have a legal right to be reimbursed from any funds you receive in your case.
Before agreeing to a medical lien, it’s crucial to speak with a personal injury attorney. In California, hospitals may also file statutory liens, which your attorney is required to satisfy out of your settlement proceeds. These liens must meet specific legal requirements — and your attorney can make sure they are valid and properly handled.
How Hillstone Law Can Help
Our experienced car accident lawyers work to:
- Pursue the maximum compensation for your injuries, pain, lost wages, and medical expenses
- Evaluate and negotiate hospital liens to reduce the amount you owe
- Ensure legal compliance with all lien and billing requirements
- Protect your financial recovery so you walk away with what you deserve
We fight not only to win your case, but also to make sure hospital bills and insurance issues don’t leave you financially overwhelmed.
Speak With a California Car Accident Attorney Today
At Hillstone Law, our mission is to help accident victims recover physically, emotionally, and financially. If you’ve been injured in a crash and are worried about hospital bills, contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll walk you through your options and help you get the compensation you need to move forward.