Your Rights, Your Recovery, and the Truth Insurance Companies Won’t Tell You

If you’ve been injured in a car crash in Los Angeles, you’re likely facing a flood of questions—and an even bigger pile of medical bills.

• Who pays for my ER visit?

• What if I don’t have health insurance?

• Can I get reimbursed for physical therapy, surgery, or ongoing treatment?

• What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?

• How do I protect my credit while I wait for a settlement?

At The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus, we’ve helped thousands of injury victims across Los Angeles County and Southern California get the answers they need—and the maximum compensation they deserve.

Here’s the truth most people don’t hear until it’s too late:
**The at-fault driver doesn’t pay your bills immediately—**and if you’re not careful, you could get stuck footing the bill for someone else’s reckless mistake.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about who pays your medical bills after a car accident in California, and how our firm can help you protect your health, your finances, and your legal rights.

🚨 California Is a Fault-Based Insurance State

Let’s start with the basics.

California follows a “fault” system, which means that the driver who caused the accident is legally responsible for the damages—including your medical expenses.

But here’s the catch…The at-fault driver (and their insurance) does not pay your medical bills right away.

Before they pay anything, liability must be proven, damages documented, and a settlement or court verdict must be reached. That process can take months—or longer.

In the meantime, you’ll need to find alternative ways to pay so your treatment isn’t delayed and your bills don’t go into collections.

💡 So, Who Pays My Medical Bills Now?

Here’s how medical bills are typically paid before your personal injury case settles in California:

1. Your Health Insurance (Private, Medi-Cal, or Medicare)

If you have health insurance—use it.

• It will cover your immediate care: ER visits, hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, etc.

• You’ll likely owe copays and deductibles

• Your insurer will often place a subrogation lien (meaning they’ll want to be reimbursed from your settlement)

⚠️ Tip: If you’re using Medi-Cal or Medicare, lien resolution can be complex. Our firm handles all of it so you keep more of your recovery.

2. Medical Payments Coverage (Med-Pay)

California auto insurance policies often include “Med-Pay”—an optional benefit that helps cover medical bills regardless of fault.

• Coverage amounts usually range from $1,000 to $10,000

• Med-Pay covers the policyholder and passengers

• No deductibles or copays

• Can be used to pay providers directly or reimburse out-of-pocket costs

The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus will check all available policies—yours, the at-fault driver’s, and any others—to stack all available coverage and maximize your payout.

3. Out-of-Pocket or Payment Plans

Some injury victims without insurance pay cash or negotiate payment plans directly with providers. But this is risky.

• Bills add up fast

• Late payments can destroy your credit

• Some hospitals aggressively pursue unpaid balances

We negotiate with hospitals and providers to pause billing, accept liens, or delay collections while your case is pending.

4. Medical Treatment on Lien

In many Los Angeles-area personal injury cases, doctors will treat you on a lien basis—meaning:

• You get treated now, with no upfront payment

• The provider agrees to be paid later, from your settlement

• If you don’t win your case, some may waive or reduce the balance

We maintain a network of trusted lien-based providers across Southern California—orthopedists, chiropractors, surgeons, imaging centers, pain management clinics, and more—so you can get quality care immediately.

📋 What Types of Medical Expenses Can Be Recovered?

When we build your personal injury case, we pursue every penny related to your medical care, including:

• Ambulance transport

• Emergency room bills

• Hospital and surgical costs

• MRIs, X-rays, CT scans

• Chiropractic and orthopedic care

• Physical therapy and rehab

• Injections or pain management

• Psychological counseling

• In-home care or assistive devices

• Future medical costs (lifelong treatment, surgeries, etc.)

And remember: you’re entitled to recover for both what your insurance paid AND what you paid out of pocket.

💰 Will I Get Compensated for Future Medical Bills?

Yes—future medical costs are a major part of serious injury claims.

At The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus, we partner with:

• Physicians

• Surgeons

• Vocational experts

• Life care planners

…to calculate the full cost of future treatment and fight to get you compensated for what’s still ahead—not just what you’ve already paid.

🧾 What Is Subrogation, and Why Does It Matter?

If your health insurance or Med-Pay pays for your treatment, they’ll likely file a subrogation claim—a legal right to be reimbursed from your settlement.

This is where most injury victims lose money—unless they have a skilled attorney fighting for them.

We:

• Review and audit all medical liens and subrogation claims

• Fight to reduce or eliminate what you owe

• Make sure more of your settlement ends up in your pocket

🛑 What If the Other Driver Has No Insurance?

California law requires all drivers to carry auto insurance, but many don’t—or carry the bare minimum.

If the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may still have options:

✅ Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM)

If you have this coverage (most Californians do), your own insurance steps in to pay:

• Medical bills

• Lost wages

• Pain and suffering

We’ll file and negotiate your UM/UIM claim without you ever having to speak to your insurer.

🧠 What If I Was a Passenger?

If you were injured as a passenger, you have the same rights as a driver to pursue compensation.

You may be covered by:

• The at-fault driver’s liability insurance

• The driver of your vehicle’s Med-Pay

• Your own UM/UIM coverage

• Your personal health insurance

We investigate all avenues and leave no policy unturned to ensure you get paid.

📌 What Happens If I Was at Fault?

Even if you were partially responsible for the crash, you can still recover damages under California’s comparative negligence laws.

For example:

• If you’re found 20% at fault, and your damages are $100,000, you’d still receive $80,000.

• Your health insurance may still cover you

• You can still use Med-Pay or treat on lien

We fight to minimize your liability and maximize your compensation—even in contested or unclear accident cases.

⏳ How Long Does It Take to Get Medical Bills Paid?

Here’s a basic timeline:

1. You get treatment

2. We build your case (medical records, bills, proof of liability)

3. We submit a demand to the insurance company

4. We negotiate a settlement or file a lawsuit if necessary

5. You get paid—then liens/subrogation are resolved

The faster you act and the stronger your representation, the faster and larger your potential payout.

⚖️ Why You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles

Navigating medical bills, insurance delays, and lien negotiations is complex and high-stakes. One mistake could cost you thousands—or your entire case.

Here’s what The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus does for you:

• Handle all insurance negotiations

• Coordinate your medical treatment

• Find doctors who treat on lien or Med-Pay

• Fight subrogation claims

• Maximize your total compensation

We’ve recovered over $450 million for injury victims across Los Angeles and California—and we’re just getting started.

✅ What Should I Do Now If I’m Drowning in Medical Bills?

1. Get medical treatment immediately

2. Do not speak to the insurance company until you talk to a lawyer

3. Document every bill, diagnosis, and receipt

4. Call our team now for a free case review

We’ll tell you exactly what to do next—and take over the fight for your compensation, so you can focus on healing.

📞 Contact The Law Offices of Gerald L. Marcus Today

Your health matters. Your future matters. And we don’t let our clients get taken advantage of—by insurers, hospitals, or corporate lawyers.

If you’re buried in medical debt after a car crash, we’ll fight to get your bills paid, your rights protected, and your life back on track.

💼 Free Consultation. No Fees Unless We Win.

📍 Serving all of Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, Glendale, Santa Clarita, Burbank, Pasadena, Ventura County, and across Southern California

📞 Call 818-784-8544 now or fill out the form on our website to schedule your free consultation.