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  "author": {
    "name": "Law Office of Brett Peterson",
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  "headline": "How to Handle Medical Bills After a Car Crash If I Have Health Insurance",
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    "url": "brettpetersonlaw.com",
    "name": "Law Office of Brett Peterson",
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  "articleBody": "When you've been in a car accident, one of the biggest questions that pops up is about those medical bills, especially if you already have health insurance. You might assume the at-fault driver's insurance will cover everything, or perhaps just your copay. But it's a bit more nuanced than that, particularly here in California. Let's say you're rear-ended and end up with a $5,000 hospital bill, but your health insurance covers most of it, leaving you with just a $100 copay. The other driver's insurer, like Geico, contacts you. What should they pay? Neither the full $5,000 nor just your $100 copay is usually the answer. In California, a significant case changed how this works, limiting recovery to the 'reasonable value' of the medical services received, not necessarily the full billed amount. This means you can generally recover the amount you and your health insurance actually paid or owe, rather than the original, often much higher, billed amount. This can be a complex area to navigate, as insurers will always try to pay the minimum. Understanding what you're legally entitled to receive can be really tricky without help. If you're dealing with medical bills after an accident, getting advice from someone who understands California personal injury law can ensure you're not leaving money on the table and that you're fairly compensated for your actual losses.",
  "datePublished": "2026-08-25"
}