Cogburn Davidson | July 21, 2025 | Car Accidents

Getting hurt in a car accident is hard enough—getting stuck with medical bills you can’t afford shouldn’t be part of the recovery process. If you were injured in a Nevada car crash and don’t have health insurance, you still have the right to receive medical care. And in many cases, you can delay payment until after your personal injury case is resolved.

You don’t need health insurance to get medical treatment after a crash—but you do need a plan, and that’s where we come in. At Cogburn Davidson Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve helped countless Nevadans get the treatment they need—even without insurance—while fighting to recover the full cost of their medical expenses through a personal injury claim. Here’s how to get the care you need and protect your right to compensation.

Emergency Care Is Available Regardless of Insurance Status

  • The most important thing to remember is that if you were taken to the ER or required an ambulance after your crash, hospitals are required to treat you under federal law—even if you’re uninsured
  • The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) mandates that emergency rooms provide stabilizing care to anyone experiencing a medical emergency, regardless of their ability to pay
  • However, once you’re stabilized, follow-up care becomes your responsibility
  • That’s where a personal injury attorney can make a major difference

Medical Liens: Get Treated Now, Pay After Your Case Settles

In Nevada, many doctors, physical therapists, imaging centers, and surgical clinics work on medical liens. A lien is a legally binding agreement that allows your medical provider to treat you now and collect payment later, from your settlement or jury award.

This can cover:

  • Imaging (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs)
  • Follow-up doctor visits
  • Physical therapy
  • Chiropractic care
  • Pain management
  • Surgery

A lien-based provider agrees to postpone billing you directly and instead wait for your case to resolve. You don’t pay anything up front, and you still get the care you need. Our attorneys work with a trusted network of medical professionals across Nevada who accept liens and understand how personal injury cases work.

MedPay Coverage Can Also Help

If you don’t have health insurance but have Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay) on your auto policy, you may have money to cover your treatment. MedPay is an optional add-on in Nevada that covers your medical bills after a crash, regardless of fault.

Coverage usually starts at $1,000 and can go up to $10,000 or more, depending on your policy. Best of all, using MedPay won’t increase your premiums if you weren’t at fault. You can use it for:

  • Ambulance transport
  • ER visits
  • Imaging
  • Outpatient care
  • Deductibles and copays if you do have partial coverage

Who Pays for Your Medical Bills in a Car Accident?

Ultimately, the at-fault driver’s liability insurance should cover your medical expenses and other damages. Nevada follows a fault-based system, meaning the driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for the harm they caused (NRS § 485.185).

You may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Medical bills (past and future)
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Disability or disfigurement
  • Property damage

Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Get Medical Care

Even if you don’t have health insurance, delaying treatment can hurt your case. Insurance companies often argue that gaps in care mean your injuries weren’t serious, or weren’t caused by the crash. Getting prompt medical attention builds a clear timeline and strengthens your legal claim.

Don’t Let Lack of Insurance Stop You From Getting Care

You have the right to recover after a crash, with or without health insurance. If you were hurt in a Nevada car accident and don’t know where to turn, we’re here to help. Contact Cogburn Davidson Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. You’ll pay no legal fees unless we win your case.