Short Answer

In North Carolina, you usually have a few practical ways to keep medical bills from piling up while your car accident claim is still open: use your own health insurance (and later address reimbursement issues), use any available auto “medical payments” coverage (often called MedPay), request an advance payment from the at-fault insurer, or arrange for bills to be paid later out of the settlement through a lien or similar agreement. The best option depends on what coverage you have, how quickly treatment is happening, and whether providers will wait for payment.

Understanding the Problem

If you were rear-ended in North Carolina and went to urgent care and the emergency room the same day, you may be asking: “Can I get my medical bills paid now, even though the insurance claim is still pending and I have not signed anything?”

Apply the Law

North Carolina does not require the at-fault driver’s insurer to pay your medical bills immediately just because you reported the claim. In practice, bills are often handled through (1) your own insurance benefits (health insurance and sometimes MedPay), (2) voluntary advance payments from the at-fault insurer, and/or (3) payment from the eventual settlement—sometimes with medical providers asserting a lien on the settlement proceeds.

If your bills are paid by health insurance or certain government programs, you may have to address reimbursement (sometimes called subrogation) out of the settlement later. And if providers assert a medical lien, North Carolina law can require that lienholders be paid from settlement funds after proper notice, subject to statutory limits.

Key Requirements

• Identify available coverage now: Confirm whether you have health insurance, MedPay on your auto policy, or other benefits that can pay medical bills while the liability claim is being investigated.
• Do not sign away rights to get bills paid: Some insurer “documents” can function like a release or broad medical authorization. You can often pursue payment options without signing a full settlement release.
• Track and submit bills the right way: Providers and insurers usually need itemized bills and records, dates of service, and claim numbers to process payment or negotiate balances.
• Plan for reimbursement and liens: If someone else pays (health insurer, Medicaid, or a plan with subrogation rights), repayment may come out of the settlement later, and providers may claim a lien against settlement proceeds.
• Protect settlement funds from being misapplied: If a valid medical lien exists and proper notice is given, settlement funds may need to be held back and paid out correctly before the remainder is distributed.

What the Statutes Say

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-540.3 (Advance payments) - Allows an at-fault party/insurer to make advance or partial payments without admitting liability, and those payments generally are credited later (unless a proper settlement agreement says the payment is a full settlement).
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 44-49 (Medical liens on personal injury recoveries) - Creates a lien on personal injury recoveries for certain medical-related charges connected to the injury, with notice and documentation requirements.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 44-50 (Limits and handling of medical liens) - Addresses how lien claims attach to settlement funds, requires retaining sufficient funds after notice, and caps medical liens (exclusive of attorney’s fees) at 50% of the damages recovered.
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 108A-57 (Medicaid subrogation) - Gives the State subrogation rights for Medicaid payments and sets presumptions and timing rules for resolving and paying the Medicaid claim after settlement or judgment.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Because the other driver’s insurer has contacted you and sent documents, it is common that they are investigating liability and damages before paying anything beyond possibly an advance payment. Since you went to urgent care and then the emergency room the same day for neck-related concerns and imaging, you likely have immediate bills that may come due before the claim resolves. That usually means you should look first to coverage that can pay now (health insurance and any MedPay), while keeping an eye on liens and reimbursement that may need to be handled out of any later settlement.

Process & Timing

1. Who files: You (or your attorney) submits claims and documentation. Where: With your health insurer and your auto insurer’s claims department (for MedPay, if you have it). What: Itemized bills, dates of service, diagnosis/treatment codes if requested, and the crash claim number. When: As soon as you receive the bills—do not wait for the liability claim to finish if bills are coming due.
2. Ask about an advance payment: If bills are urgent, you can request a partial/advance payment from the at-fault insurer for medical bills. In North Carolina, advance payments can be made without admitting liability, and they are typically credited later rather than ending your claim automatically.
3. Address liens and reimbursement before settlement is finalized: Before you sign any settlement release, confirm whether providers have asserted liens and whether any payor (like Medicaid) has a reimbursement claim. This helps avoid delays in disbursing settlement funds and reduces the risk of unexpected balances.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

• Signing insurer “documents” too early: Some paperwork is routine, but some forms can be a release or a broad authorization that harms your claim. If you do not understand a document, pause before signing.
• Assuming the at-fault insurer must pay bills as they come in: Many liability carriers wait until treatment stabilizes or they finish investigating. That is why using health insurance/MedPay (if available) often matters.
• Ignoring medical liens: North Carolina recognizes medical liens on personal injury recoveries, and after proper notice, settlement funds may need to be held back to pay valid lien claims, subject to statutory limits.
• Not planning for reimbursement: If a third party (especially Medicaid) pays, reimbursement rules can affect what you actually take home from a settlement and can create timing requirements after settlement.
• Letting bills go to collections unnecessarily: Many providers will place accounts on hold if they know there is an active injury claim and they are receiving updates. Communication and documentation often prevent avoidable credit problems.

Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney

If you’re dealing with medical bills while a North Carolina car accident claim is still pending, a personal injury attorney can help you line up payment options, avoid signing harmful paperwork, and plan for liens and reimbursement so your settlement does not get delayed. Call [CONTACT NUMBER] to discuss your options and timelines.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about North Carolina law based on the single question stated above. It is not legal advice for your specific situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, procedures, and local practice can change and may vary by county. If you have a deadline, act promptly and speak with a licensed North Carolina attorney.