You’re rushed to the ER after a truck crash – shaken, hurt, and unsure of what’s next. Then the bills start coming. Thousands for the ambulance. Tens of thousands for surgery. More for scans, follow-up appointments, and physical therapy. Medical providers are seeking payment before your injury case is even close to settled.
If you’re hurt in a truck accident in Dallas, you have options. You don’t have to navigate this alone, and you don’t have to pay everything up front. A truck accident lawyer can help you delay payments, negotiate with providers, and protect your right to full compensation.
Can You Use Health Insurance to Cover Truck Accident Medical Bills?
In Texas, your first option may be your own auto policy. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage can help pay for medical expenses regardless of who is at fault. If you’ve added PIP to your policy, it may cover:
- Emergency care, including ambulance rides, ER visits, and hospital admissions
- Follow-up treatment, such as doctors’ appointments, physical therapy, surgery, and medications.
Even if you don’t have PIP, your health insurance may still cover many costs, but you’ll likely face deductibles, co-pays, and out-of-pocket maximums. And if your case results in a settlement, your insurer may seek reimbursement (called subrogation), which a lawyer can help negotiate.
What If You Can’t Afford to Pay Medical Bills Now?
If you’re uninsured or can’t afford care, your lawyer can issue a letter of protection (LOP) to your medical providers. This letter essentially says: Treat now, get paid later—from the settlement.
Letters of protection can:
- Pause collections. Providers agree not to send bills to collections while your case is active.
- Secure ongoing treatment. You get the care you need, even if you can't pay up front.
- Avoid damaging your credit. Medical debt won’t show up on your credit report during the case.
Not all doctors accept LOPs, but many do, especially specialists familiar with accident cases. A Dallas truck accident lawyer can connect you with providers who understand the process.
How a Lawyer Can Help You Get the Medical Care You Deserve After a Truck Crash
Truck accident cases often take months or even years to resolve. That’s why a lawyer’s role goes beyond just negotiating your settlement. An experienced Dallas truck accident lawyer may also:
- Communicate with medical providers to ensure bills are paused and no unexpected collections occur.
- Review and challenge charges so that overbilling, duplicate charges, and unrelated services can be identified and removed.
- Negotiate lien reductions if insurers or providers want a share of your settlement.
By managing medical debt as part of your injury claim, your lawyer can help protect your financial interests while you get the care you need.
Key Steps to Take Right Now if You’re Facing Medical Bills
If you're dealing with medical expenses after a truck crash in Dallas, here’s what you can do today:
- Check your auto insurance for PIP coverage. This may be your first source of payment.
- Use your health insurance if available. Keep all receipts and track out-of-pocket costs.
- Talk to a truck accident lawyer immediately. They can issue letters of protection and delay billing.
- Don’t delay care. Skipping treatment can hurt both your health and your case.
- Keep all documents. Bills, records, and insurance communications are key evidence.
Truck accidents leave more than physical scars. They leave financial wreckage, too. But you don’t have to face it alone. A Dallas truck accident lawyer can guide you through your legal options, protect your credit, and help ensure that when your case settles, you’re the one who benefits, not just the hospitals or insurers.