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A car accident can leave you with more than just pain — it can leave you facing mounting medical bills, collection notices, and stress about how to pay for treatment. In Louisiana, the at-fault driver is ultimately responsible for your medical expenses, but that doesn’t mean their insurance company pays immediately. And if your crash involved a commercial vehicle, the process can be even more complex — see our guide on who is responsible for medical bills after a truck accident in Louisiana. Often, injured victims must rely on their own insurance or work out temporary solutions until a settlement is reached.
At Brandt & Sherman, we help injured people across Lafayette and throughout Louisiana understand their options, deal with hospitals and insurers, and fight to make sure they recover every dollar they deserve.
Yes, you should use your health insurance to cover medical expenses after a crash — even if the accident wasn’t your fault. Your insurance will pay for treatment, and once your case is settled, they may be reimbursed from the at-fault driver’s insurance policy.
This means:
Our car accident attorneys negotiate directly with insurers to ensure you get the maximum recovery under Louisiana’s Collateral Source Rule, which allows you to claim the full value of your medical bills — not just the discounted amount your insurance paid.
Yes, Medicare and Medicaid can pay for medical care after a car accident. You must report the accident to Medicare, even if you don’t file a lawsuit. These agencies may later seek reimbursement from your settlement, but our lawyers handle these subrogation claims so you aren’t stuck navigating the red tape.
In some cases, your medical provider may agree to a payment plan or delay collections if you’ve hired a personal injury lawyer. At Brandt & Sherman, we notify providers that we’re pursuing damages, which often makes them more willing to hold off on billing until your case resolves.
Some auto insurance policies include medical payments coverage (med pay), which pays for your medical bills regardless of fault. Louisiana drivers are not required to carry med pay, and many people don’t realize it’s in their policy. Check your policy or ask our team to review it.
Unfortunately, many Louisiana drivers are uninsured or underinsured. If this happens, you may still have options for covering your medical bills. One possibility is turning to your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, if you purchased it as part of your auto insurance policy. In some cases, it may also be necessary to file a lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver, though recovery can be limited if that person lacks sufficient assets. At Brandt & Sherman, our attorneys carefully examine every possible source of coverage to ensure that no option for compensation is overlooked.
After a crash, even if you think you’re fine, you should seek medical care within 72 hours (three days). Insurance companies look for gaps in treatment to argue your injuries weren’t caused by the accident.
For example, if you decline an ambulance after being rear-ended and only see a doctor weeks later, the insurer may try to deny your claim. By getting evaluated immediately — at urgent care if you don’t have a primary doctor — you protect both your health and your case. This is just one of the important steps to take after a car accident in Louisiana, and following the right process early can make a big difference in your claim.
A Louisiana car accident attorney doesn’t just fight for your settlement — they protect you from financial fallout while your case is pending. Knowing when to hire an attorney after a car accident can make a big difference in how quickly your medical bills are handled and how strong your case will be. At Brandt & Sherman, we:
Send every bill you receive to your lawyer — that’s part of how we make sure nothing slips through the cracks.
If your vehicle was damaged, you’ll need to file a claim with either your own insurer or the at-fault driver’s company. Gather the other driver’s insurance details at the scene and provide them to your attorney.
Important: If you were injured, do not call the at-fault driver’s insurer yourself. They record conversations and may use your words against you later. You are not required to give a recorded statement — let your lawyer handle communications.
If the other driver lacks enough coverage, you may need to use your own policy. Even if you aren’t filing a claim, notify your insurance company right away. They cannot raise your rates if the accident wasn’t your fault.
If you’ve been in a car crash in Lafayette or anywhere in Louisiana, you don’t have to handle medical bills, insurers, and legal battles on your own. With over 50 years of combined experience, we’ve recovered millions for Louisiana families while standing up to insurance “Goliaths.”
Call Brandt & Sherman at (337) 800-4000 or contact us online for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.
Yes. Your health insurance can and should cover treatment after a car accident, even if someone else was at fault. Your insurer will typically pay your bills upfront, and once your case is resolved, they may seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s insurance through a process called subrogation. This ensures you get the care you need immediately without waiting for your case to settle. An attorney can also help you maximize your compensation under Louisiana’s Collateral Source Rule, which allows you to claim the full value of your bills, not just the discounted amount your insurer paid.
If you don’t have health insurance, you may still have options. Some auto insurance policies include medical payments coverage (med pay), which can cover your bills regardless of fault. In other cases, providers may agree to a payment plan or delay billing if you’re working with an attorney. You may also be able to rely on uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage from your own auto policy. Our attorneys carefully review all available options to prevent medical debt and protect your financial stability while your case is pending.
Yes. Both Medicare and Medicaid can cover accident-related medical treatment, but you are required to report the accident to them. These programs may later request repayment from your settlement. The process can be complicated, and failing to follow the rules can create delays. At Brandt & Sherman, we handle these reimbursement and reporting requirements for you, so you can focus on recovery instead of paperwork.
Delaying medical care can harm both your health and your legal claim. Insurance companies look for gaps in treatment to argue that your injuries weren’t caused by the crash. For example, if you wait weeks to see a doctor, they may claim your injuries came from something else. That’s why it’s important to get checked within 72 hours — even if you feel “fine” at first. Immediate care not only protects your health but also strengthens your claim for compensation.
Absolutely. A personal injury lawyer does more than negotiate settlements — they actively protect you from financial fallout while your case is pending. At Brandt & Sherman, we negotiate with hospitals to delay collections, coordinate with your health insurer to ensure bills are paid correctly, and stop debts from going to collections. We also handle reimbursement (subrogation) claims so you don’t get charged twice. Most importantly, we fight to make sure you receive the full compensation you’re entitled to under Louisiana law, so your recovery isn’t limited by insurer tactics.
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