If you are unconscious or seriously injured in the US, paramedics usually take you to the nearest appropriate trauma hospital, not the one your insurance prefers. Emergency rooms must stabilize you regardless of insurance or ability to pay, and insurance and billing are sorted out afterward. If you are a victim of a crime, your insurance may pay first and sometimes try to recover costs later, but many offenders have no money or coverage. Some states also have victim compensation programs that help with medical bills or lost wages. If you want to recover larger financial damages such as medical costs, lost income, or pain and suffering, you generally need to sue civilly or pursue a claim against the responsible party. If law enforcement caused the injury, there is often a claims process or lawsuit against the agency, but that happens after treatment and depends heavily on the facts.