Who Pays for Medical Bills After a Car Accident?

No matter the impact or seriousness of a car accident, accident victims should immediately receive a thorough medical examination by a qualified doctor. Not only will a medical evaluation help determine the scope of your injuries and possibly pick up on any future complications you may face, but it will establish a precise record of what injuries resulted from your car accident.

While having to cope with potential life-altering injuries, you’ll also accumulate medical expenses from the moment you step foot in an ambulance or emergency room. From that moment on, you’re most likely to have concerns regarding who’s obligated to cover your medical bills and how to best handle all involved entities, including your health insurance, car insurance, and the other party’s insurance. The Barnes Firm’s top car accident lawyers in Queens hope the following information will give you a general outline of what to expect when dealing with medical expenses after you’ve been hurt in a car accident.

Your Options for General Medical Payment After a Car Accident

Typically, New Yorkers pay their medical bills through several different insurance coverages and direct payment options. Here are some common sources for paying medical bills after a car accident:

• Personal injury protection (PIP): Under New York law, drivers are unable to register their cars in-state until they have PIP coverage under their auto insurance, which covers medical costs, lost earnings, and death benefits for injured drivers and other vehicle occupants up to $50,000. If your injuries are minor, then your PIP benefits may be able to cover all costs. However, don’t underestimate the costs associated with treatments and how fast they grow.
• Healthcare insurance: If your PIP doesn’t cover all your medical bills, your healthcare insurance will take over. Sometimes hospitals will automatically bill your healthcare insurance, so it will be up to your provider to seek reimbursement from your auto insurance company. If you have a health savings account or a pre-tax dollar savings account used for medical care purposes, then you can tap into that.
• Personal payment arrangements: Medical bills are costly and can be too much to take on all at once. Therefore, hospitals and other medical organizations cooperate with patients to set up a payment plan that works best for you.
• Hardship arrangements: Since medical payments can take a huge chunk out of your finances, causing you or your family to be unable to meet a minimum standard of living. Depending on your healthcare providers, they may reduce the amount of money you owe if you meet their requirements.

Recovering Compensation for Medical Bills After a Car Accident

Many accident victims think it’s unjust to have to accumulate thousands of dollars in medical bills that were caused by another party’s reckless conduct. However, since New York is considered a no-fault state, this means that you would have to turn to your no-fault insurance to make a claim, regardless of who is liable.

Which Medical Bills Are Covered Under PIP Coverage?

When you utilize your no-fault insurance, your PIP coverage will protect you for basic economic losses. This protection includes all reasonable expenses for medical treatment. Some medical bills that your policy should cover include:

• Diagnosis and initial visit
• Ambulance services
• X-rays and MRIs
• Rehabilitation
• Prostheses
• Dental or optical treatment
• Hospital stays
• Surgical operation

You’ll notice that PIP coverage does not compensate for the pain and suffering you may have endured in your car accident. To determine the value of your pain and suffering damages, you’ll need a skilled car accident lawyer in Queens to review all necessary documentation and evidence to support your claim.

What You Should Know About PIP Coverage

To make sure you are fully aware of your no-fault benefits, here is some information you should understand concerning your PIP coverage:

• You must file a claim with your insurance company within 30 days from the original date and time of your accident.
• Your insurance company can take up to 30 days to review all documentation from the date they receive it.
• Your insurance company is required to pay 80% of lost earnings, up to a maximum of $2,000 a month.
• Your insurance company must compensate your lost earnings for up to three years or until you meet your $50,000 coverage benefit limit.
• Your insurance company will give you up to $25 a day for other necessary expenses such as cleaning your house or transportation

Although PIP and healthcare insurance will cover your bills to a certain extent under most policies, you’ll be required to pay a deductible. To recover your out-of-pocket expenditures, you’ll need to start building a strong personal injury case against the at-fault party’s insurance policy. This takes time and is usually stressful and confusing—but when you have an even stronger attorney on your side, you have a better chance of success.

Collect Compensation for Medical Bills With New York Personal Injury Attorney

Even if you are at no fault in your accident, you are still responsible for ensuring your medical bills are paid. However, you should not have to pay out of pocket for someone else’s negligent actions. Collect meaningful compensation for your medical bills with a New York personal injury attorney at The Barnes Firm. Our team of competent attorneys will take on determined insurance companies and negotiate a fair settlement that compensates you for not only your current struggles but future ones too.

At The Barnes Firm, our car accident lawyers in Queens will work with you to protect you and your family’s financial interests and well-being. We believe that before you accept any settlement agreement, you should consult a personal injury attorney who can make sure you recover every penny you deserve. To schedule your free consultation, call The Barnes Firm or fill out our contact form today.

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Richard Barnes

“As President of The Barnes Firm, I have dedicated my career to achieving justice in hundreds of cases for the victims of injuries caused through the fault of others. Additionally, I have been honored to have been elected by my peers to serve as president of the WNY Trial Lawyers Association.”

Years of Experience: 30+ years