September 23, 2026 | Car Accident
This is one of the most common questions people have after a car accident, and, for better or worse, the answer isn’t as simple as “the other driver’s insurance takes care of it.” Tennessee is an at-fault state, which means the driver who caused the crash is ultimately responsible for your damages. However, that doesn’t mean their insurance company is going to start writing checks immediately.
In most cases, the at-fault driver’s liability insurer won’t pay anything until the claim is fully resolved, which can take some time. In the meantime, your medical bills still need to be paid. Read on for a breakdown of how this works and the options available to you.
Your Health Insurance
For many accident victims, their own health insurance is the first line of defense. You can use it to cover treatment just like you would for any other medical issue. You’ll likely still have to meet your deductible and handle co-pays, but it keeps the bills from piling up while your claim is pending.
One thing to be aware of is that your health insurance company may have what’s called a right of subrogation. This means that if you eventually receive a settlement or verdict from the at-fault driver, your health insurer can seek reimbursement for whatever they paid toward your accident-related treatment. This is important to factor in when evaluating settlement offers.
Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)
MedPay is an optional add-on to your own auto insurance policy that covers medical expenses after a crash regardless of who was at fault. It can be used to pay for things like hospital bills and deductibles from your health insurance.
MedPay coverage in Tennessee typically maxes out at a set policy limit, so it may not cover everything if your injuries are serious. And, like health insurance, your MedPay provider may have a subrogation clause that entitles them to be repaid from any settlement you receive.
The At-Fault Driver’s Liability Insurance
If someone else caused the accident, their bodily injury liability coverage is supposed to cover your medical expenses along with other damages like lost wages and pain and suffering. However, their insurer is under no obligation to pay anything until fault is established and the claim is settled or a verdict is reached.
Before that happens, the insurance company will initially investigate the accident and review your medical records. From there, they may try to dispute whether certain treatments were necessary or whether your injuries were actually caused by the crash. This process takes time and is one of the main reasons why having alternative coverage in place is worth considering.
Other Options To Consider
A few other avenues may be available depending on your circumstances, including:
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) can step in if the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough to cover your losses.
- Workers’ compensation may apply if the accident arose out of and occurred in the course and scope of your employment.
- A letter of protection is an arrangement in which your doctor agrees to treat you now and accept payment from your future settlement.
If you’re unsure whether one of these options applies to your situation, reaching out to a personal injury lawyer for legal advice is likely in your best interest.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Nashville Car Accident Lawyer at Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC
Figuring out which insurance policies apply to your case and how to make sure your settlement actually covers everything you’re owed can get complicated quickly. An attorney can sort through all of this on your behalf and make sure you aren’t left paying out of pocket for injuries caused by someone else.
Contact a Nashville car accident lawyer at Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC, today for a free consultation to learn more about your rights and how to protect them.
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Lexington or Bowling Green, please contact our car accident lawyers at Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC for a free case evaluation.
Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC – Lexington, KY Office
325 W Main St #210, Lexington, KY 40507
(859) 765-6028
Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC -Bowling Green, KY Office
814 State St. suite 100, Bowling Green, KY, 42101
(270) 517-2014
Minner Vines Injury Lawyers, PLLC – Nashville Office
49 Music Square W #504, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 676-7060