On an average working day, the USA witnesses 14386 car accidents. With every passing year, the volume of car accidents is increasing. This can be attributed to the increasing number of private vehicles in the area.
However, a car accident can cost you your fortune. You might have your auto and health insurance. But how much does that cover? How much do you have to pay on your own? Here is a critical breakdown of who pays for medical bills after a car accident.
Who pays for medical bills after a car accident?
Most U.S. states follow the “at-fault” insurance system. In other words, the driver who caused the accident must also pay for the damages. The auto insurer of the concerned driver or car owner is also liable to share the damage liabilities.
The liability doesn’t include only the repair costs. They are also liable to share the medical bills of the victim. However, the process, as it sounds, might be quite complex. That’s why you need a good car accident attorney in your state.
The insurance company might delay processing the claim. Their claim adjusters might also try to deny or reduce the claim amounts. That’s why it is paramount that you know and understand the laws that govern liability in car accident cases in the US.
1. Health Insurance: For The First Fallback
Who pays for medical bills after a car accident on an immediate basis? Typically, the insurer must cover the costs if you have medical insurance with accident coverage.
But what aspects does the insurer cover?
Firstly, the insurance will cover hospitalization costs, followed by surgery and rehabilitation costs as well.
However, health insurance doesn’t guarantee that you won’t owe any amount later. When you get the accident claims back from the other party’s insurer, you have to reimburse the amount your insurer gave you.
But here’s the trick. Often, the settlement amount you get from the other party is inadequate to support all of your medication costs. However, you must reimburse the net amount you received from your insurer. The bottom line is that you spend a significant amount from your pocket.
2. Auto Insurance: Liability of the At-Fault Driver
As discussed before, the liable drivers behind the accident must cover the medical bills. It is they who pays for medical bills after a car accident. Or their insurer. All insurers have a coverage called the bodily injury liability coverage.
However, the biggest challenge is dealing with the insurance agent of the other party. Firstly, you need the court’s consent to intervene with the other party’s insurer. Secondly, you have to deal with the claim adjusters.
That’s where the role of a skilled personal injury lawyer becomes critical. Their role begins with filing your legal claim and gaining the court’s permission to proceed. However, they will also push back against the concerned party in the event of an unfair claim denial.
In addition, lawyers will pitch a maximum claim for you. If the opposing lawyers slash off some claims as redundant, you will still get a fair claim amount.
Who pays for medical bills after a car accident immediately?
For immediate relief, you can put your auto insurance to work. You will get a generous claim amount under the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) clause of your insurance. You may also claim Medical Payments Coverage, which is also a part of your auto insurance coverage.
If these coverages add up, you can easily settle the immediate medical bills. After that, you can wait for the settlement amount to arrive from the other party.
How Much Does PIP Cover?
According to the National Safety Council’s data, the US witnessed 44,680 car accident deaths last year. It also implies that most of the car accidents result in critical injuries, which may result in fatalities later.
Now, the question is- Does PIP offer enough medical coverage to compensate for the heavy medical bills?
Officially, PIP is supposed to cover the medical expenses, wages lost, and other essential services you may need later. For example, the costs of the rehabilitation sessions for recovery from PTSD later.
In most states, you will get a minimum PIP amount of $2,500. However, the claim adjusters will desperately try to reduce the amount. That’s where you need a good car accident attorney on your side.
How Much Does Medical Payments Cover?
The other component of Auto Insurance Coverage is “Medical Payments” (Med Pay). It covers medical expenses. However, the lost wages are not covered under it. If you want your auto insurance to cover maximum costs, contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
The lawyer will inspect your auto insurance policy nd claim the highest amount possible.
Steps to Tackle Your Auto Accident
A bulk of expenses follow an auto accident. To seek claims in the shortest possible time, here are some steps you need to follow:
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
The priority after any car accident is to get checked by a doctor, even if you don’t think you’re seriously hurt.
Getting timely medical care can help diagnose any issues and also create a record of your condition. Be sure to inform your doctor that your injury is related to an auto accident so that it can be properly documented.
Communicate with Healthcare Providers
Be sure to provide all your healthcare providers with the correct insurance information and keep them updated on any changes or delays in your coverage.
Ask for itemized bills so you can clearly see the services and charges. Negotiate payment plans if needed and inquire about any financial assistance programs they may offer.
Seek Payment from the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance
Current data suggests that for every 100 car drivers, around 4.88 damage claims are made. The number has increased significantly over the last 5 years. It also shows that the volume of at-fault insurance claims increased over the years.
In 2021, for every 100 drivers in the United States, there were 4.2 auto insurance claims filed on average. This suggests that a significant number of drivers were involved in accidents that required insurance claims.
If you meet with an accident caused by the driver on the other side, you can seek damages and medical compensation from your auto insurance provider. In the United States, this is referred to as third-party coverage. In this case, you are the third party placing the claim against the “at-fault” driver.
Utilize Your Own Auto Insurance
With over 6 million car accidents occurring in the United States every year, having adequate personal auto insurance coverage is crucial. While car insurance premiums aren’t cheap, costing an average of $2,150 annually, they provide vital financial protection in the event of an accident.
Once a year, take the time to renew your auto policy and review the medical coverage included. Some insurance companies will pay for some of your medical and lost wage expenses resulting from an accident, regardless of who was at fault.
If the at-fault driver’s insurance does not fully cover your costs, turning to your own insurance can help make up the difference.
Avoid Paying Debts Before They Are Validated
If you are involved in an accident, your first duty is to verify the charges. Don’t pay off your medical bills before validation. But why is the validation important?
It ensures that you get all billed services. It also signposts that the charges are reasonable and common for the local market.
Consider Hiring a Car Accident Attorney
One important thing you should do if involved in an auto accident is to hire a car accident attorney. Your attorney is the best man to decide who pays for medical bills after a car accident.
He understands the complex legal and insurance issues that are eligible for compensation, as well as the medical expenses following a crash. After a car accident, you may encounter challenging medical bills. At this stage, you need an attorney’s help. The attorney’s main role is to file for fair compensation. At the same time, he will ensure that you won’t have to pay any additional or unnecessary expenses.
Read More:
