Who Pays Medical Bills After a Car Accident?

You’ve just been in a car accident. You’re hurt, shaken up, and facing a stack of medical bills you didn’t expect. Maybe you’ve already been to Banner Health in Phoenix, or the EMTs took you straight to Dignity Health – Chandler Regional. Now the big question hits:

Who’s paying for all of this?

At Big Auto, we help crash victims across Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Glendale, Tempe, and beyond get answers, and compensation. Arizona’s car accident laws can be confusing, especially when insurance companies try to shift blame or delay payments. Here’s what you need to know.

Arizona Is a Fault-Based Insurance State

Unlike no-fault states like Florida or Michigan, Arizona is a fault-based state. That means the person who caused the accident is typically responsible for covering your damages, including your medical expenses.

But here’s the catch:
You may still have to pay out-of-pocket at first, depending on your insurance and the situation.

Let’s break it down.

1. Your Health Insurance May Cover Immediate Treatment

If you have private health insurance or AHCCCS (Arizona’s Medicaid program), it may kick in to cover:

• ER visits
  
• X-rays, MRIs, CT scans
  
• Surgery or trauma care
  
• Follow-up doctor visits
  
• Physical therapy

But even if your health insurance pays now, they may later file a lien against your injury settlement to get reimbursed.

This is called subrogation, and it’s one reason you need a lawyer. At Big Auto, we negotiate liens to make sure more money stays in your pocket.

2. The At-Fault Driver’s Auto Insurance Should Pay

If someone else caused the crash, by speeding on I-10, running a red light on Van Buren, or rear-ending you on Loop 101, their insurance is ultimately responsible.

Arizona requires all drivers to carry:

• $25,000 minimum bodily injury coverage per person
  
• $50,000 per accident
  
• $15,000 for property damage

But here’s the problem:
Many drivers are underinsured, or worse, uninsured entirely. And even if they have coverage, insurers will do everything they can to minimize the payout.

That’s where Big Auto comes in. We push back, fast and hard.

3. Your Own Auto Policy May Include MedPay or UM/UIM

Depending on your coverage, you may also have:

Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)

This optional add-on covers your medical bills, regardless of who caused the crash. It typically covers up to $5,000 or $10,000 and can help with:

• Ambulance transport
  
• Emergency room care
  
• Co-pays and deductibles

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM)

This kicks in if:

• The at-fault driver has no insurance
  
• Their coverage isn’t enough to pay your full damages

Arizona doesn’t require UM/UIM, but if you have it, it can be a lifesaver in hit-and-run or low-coverage accidents.

Not sure what’s in your policy? Big Auto can review it for free.

What If You Don’t Have Insurance?

If you don’t have health insurance, MedPay, or strong auto coverage, you may be stuck paying up front, even if the crash wasn’t your fault.

In those cases, medical providers may:

• Offer payment plans
• File a medical lien against your injury settlement
  
• Delay billing until your case is resolved (with legal documentation)

We work with Arizona providers every day to make sure injured clients get treated, and don’t get harassed by collections while recovering.

What If You Were Partially At Fault?

Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence rule. That means:

• You can still recover compensation even if you were partly to blame
  
• Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault

Example:
You’re found 20% at fault for a crash that caused $50,000 in medical bills and other damages. You’d still be eligible to recover $40,000.

Don’t let the insurance company exaggerate your blame. Big Auto investigates every case, and fights back with facts.

Local Crash Example: Tempe Rear-End Collision

Let’s say you were stopped at a light on Baseline Road in Tempe, and another driver rear-ends you while texting. You’re taken to Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital with neck and back pain. Here’s how payment might flow:

1. You use your MedPay to cover the ER visit
2. Health insurance covers imaging and follow-up care
3. Big Auto files a claim against the other driver’s insurance
4. You receive a settlement for full medical bills and more
5. We negotiate liens to maximize your net payout

All of this happens behind the scenes , while you focus on healing.

What About Ambulance Bills and Air Transport?

Arizona has vast highways, deserts, and rural roads. In serious cases, you might be airlifted to Banner – University Medical Center Tucson or another trauma facility.

These costs can reach tens of thousands of dollars, and may not be fully covered by basic insurance.

Our legal team knows how to handle emergency transport billing, fight unreasonable charges, and prevent aggressive collections.

Big Auto Makes Sure the Right Party Pays, Not You

When you’re hurt in an Arizona car accident, you shouldn't have to:

• Decode insurance policies
  
• Argue with adjusters
  
• Juggle medical debt
  
• Wonder who’s responsible

That’s our job.

We fight to make sure:

• Your bills are paid
• Your rights are protected
• Your future is secure

Whether you’re hit in Phoenix, Glendale, Chandler, or Scottsdale, Big Auto steps in and takes over the legal stress, fast.

Call Big Auto Today , And Let Us Handle the Rest

Your focus should be on healing. Let us handle the bills, the insurers, and the battle ahead.

Call Big Auto now for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll explain your rights, explore every available source of payment, and fight to recover what you’re owed, in full.

Injured in Arizona? Let Big Auto win big for you.