After a car accident or serious injury, your focus should be on healing. But too often, the stress of mounting medical bills steals the spotlight. X-rays, surgeries, ambulance rides, therapy, prescriptions — it all adds up fast. And if you’re like most folks in South Florida, you don’t have thousands tucked away for unexpected medical costs, especially when you’re out of work.
So what do you do while your personal injury case is still pending? How do you keep the collections calls at bay without jeopardizing your financial stability or your health?
Let’s break it down.
First Things First: Use Your Available Insurance
If you were injured in a car accident in Florida, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is your first line of defense. This is true no matter who caused the crash. Florida is a no-fault state, which means your own auto insurance is supposed to cover your medical bills — typically up to $10,000 — right away.
But here’s the catch:
PIP only covers 80% of your medical bills, and only if you receive care within 14 days of the accident. That leaves you with out-of-pocket gaps. And if your injuries are serious — say, a herniated disc or broken bones — $10,000 evaporates fast.
That’s when things get more complicated.
Option 1: Health Insurance (If You Have It)
After PIP is maxed out, or if your accident wasn’t car-related, health insurance can step in. You can and should use it to pay for hospital visits, physical therapy, follow-up care, or surgeries.
Some people worry, “Won’t this hurt my case?” Absolutely not. In fact, it shows you took your injuries seriously and got the care you needed. That’s important when it comes time to negotiate.
That said, your health insurance provider may seek reimbursement from your settlement later through a process called subrogation. Don’t panic — this doesn’t mean you’ll lose everything you recover. An experienced attorney will often negotiate that amount down substantially.
Option 2: Letters of Protection (LOPs)
If you don’t have health insurance — or your deductible is sky-high — your attorney can help you receive care through what’s called a Letter of Protection (LOP). This is basically an agreement between your lawyer and your medical provider that says:
“We’ll pay you from the settlement when this case resolves.”
LOPs allow injured victims to get treated now without paying up front. Chiropractors, orthopedists, surgeons, even imaging centers will sometimes agree to work under an LOP because they know the attorney will make sure they get paid once the case concludes.
There are a couple of things to understand about LOPs:
You’re still on the hook if your case doesn’t settle or you don’t win at trial.
Insurance companies know about them and sometimes try to argue the treatment is biased or inflated — which is where having the right lawyer makes all the difference.
At Suarez & Montero, we work only with reputable medical providers and build strong evidence around your care. That way, we can push back hard if the other side tries to play games.
Option 3: Medical Payment Plans or Hardship Programs
Some hospitals and outpatient centers offer financial assistance programs or allow you to set up a payment plan. These can be a lifesaver if you’ve already received treatment and are getting bills in the mail while waiting for your case to move forward.
You can often:
- Apply for income-based reductions or charity care.
- Negotiate a low monthly payment to keep the bill out of collections.
- Put your account in temporary deferment while your settlement is pending.
Don’t wait until it goes to collections. Call the provider’s billing department and let them know you’re working with an attorney and pursuing a settlement. Sometimes, just showing that you’re not ignoring the debt is enough to buy you some breathing room.
Option 4: Pre-Settlement Funding (Use With Caution)
There are companies that offer lawsuit loans or pre-settlement advances — they give you money now in exchange for a portion of your future settlement. It sounds tempting, especially if you’re out of work and can’t pay your rent.
But be careful.
Many of these loans come with sky-high interest rates, and by the time your case settles, you might owe a huge chunk back. I’ve seen clients borrow $2,000 and end up repaying $5,000 or more.
If you’re seriously considering this route, talk to your attorney first. We can often help you find lower-cost funding options or explain other paths that won’t eat into your recovery as much.
What If Collections Are Already Calling?
Here’s the truth: if you don’t have insurance and you’re not on a payment plan, your medical bills may go to collections. It’s not fair — especially when someone else caused your injuries — but it’s reality.
What can you do?
Tell them you’re represented and that the case is pending. Many collection agencies will pause their activity when they know there’s a potential payout.
Don’t admit liability or sign anything.
Keep your lawyer in the loop. At Suarez & Montero, we’ll often reach out to the provider or collection agency directly to protect your credit and prevent things from escalating.
At the End of the Day, It’s About Balance
When you’re injured and waiting for justice, managing medical bills is like walking a tightrope. You need to stay on top of your care and your finances without letting either fall apart.
That’s where a good injury lawyer steps in — not just to fight for a big settlement later, but to guide you through the messy middle.
At Suarez & Montero, I don’t just care about the outcome — I care about what you’re going through right now. We help clients find affordable doctors, negotiate medical liens, and protect their credit — all while preparing a strong case that maximizes their future recovery.
Final Thoughts
If you’re sitting there with a stack of bills and no idea how you’re going to cover them, you’re not alone. I’ve helped hundreds of South Floridians navigate this exact situation, and there’s always a path forward.
Don’t wait until your bills go to collections. Don’t stop treating because you’re scared of the cost. And don’t settle for less than you deserve just because the other side is dragging things out.
Give me a call. Let’s walk through your options and build a game plan.
Call Jaime “Mr. 786Abogado” Suarez today to Get You Paid!
