Paying for treatment after a car accident
In California, treatment after a collision is usually paid through the at-fault driver's liability cover, the MedPay provision on your own policy, or on a lien basis where an attorney represents you and the bill is settled when the claim resolves. Most patients pay nothing at the visit itself.
Three routes
How each one works
- The at-fault driver's liability coverWhere fault is clear, their insurer is usually responsible for reasonable treatment costs. Settlement often comes at the end of the claim rather than as you go.
- MedPay on your own policyMany California auto policies include medical payments cover that applies regardless of fault, typically with a set limit. It is worth checking whether you have it — many people do not realise they do.
- Treatment on a lienWhere an attorney is representing you, the clinic can treat on a lien: the bill is held and settled from the claim proceeds. You pay nothing during treatment.
- Private insurance as a fallbackWhere none of the above applies, your own health plan may cover treatment, subject to its own rules on accident-related care.
Bring with you
What helps us start straight away
- Police report number
- Insurance claim number
- Adjuster's name and contact details
- Your attorney's details, if you are represented
- Your own auto policy number
- Photo ID and health insurance card
- If none of this has come through yet, come anyway — being examined early matters more, and the paperwork can follow
The longer the gap between the collision and your first examination, the easier it is for an insurer to argue that the symptoms are unrelated. Being seen within a week keeps the record clean. This is a documentation point, not a reason to panic.
At the clinic
Where assessment and documentation happen
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an attorney?
Not necessarily. Many patients are treated without one, particularly where fault is clear and injuries are straightforward. Whether to instruct an attorney is your decision — we treat either way and handle the paperwork the route requires.
What is MedPay?
Medical payments cover — an optional provision on many California auto policies that pays medical costs after an accident regardless of who was at fault, up to a set limit. Check your policy documents or ask your insurer whether you have it.
What happens if the claim is denied?
We discuss it with you before continuing. Depending on the situation, treatment may continue under your health insurance or on a self-pay basis. You will not find treatment continuing on an assumption that turns out to be wrong.
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