Injured In A Car Accident? Who Pays The Medical Bills May Surprise You
Posted on: 10 December 2017
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Like all things related to both the law and insurance, there are myriad variables and no "one size fits all" can be provided for any given situation. Additionally, each state has different laws that affect the insurance industry and the legalities in each jurisdiction. But in general, if you are involved in an automobile accident, how do your medical bills get paid? Here's what you need to know.
Surprise! The Defendant Does Not Pay Your Medical Bills
If you are involved in an accident and it is not your fault, you may have always assumed that your resulting medical bills would all be covered by the person who is at fault if you filed a lawsuit. This isn't always the case, however. A lawsuit cannot be settled if it is left open-ended, so an amount is determined that will provide resolution to the matter. You will not have your accident-related medical expenses covered as they roll in. This one of many reasons why it is so important to have adequate legal representation handling your case; an accident that is no fault of your own should not cost you money in addition to your pain and suffering.
Are Medical Bills Ever Covered?
A handful of states—Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, Minnesota, North Dakota, New York and Pennsylvania, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Dakota and Utah —have what is called "no fault" auto insurance. No fault car insurance means that your insurance carrier with cover some or maybe even all of your medical expenses if you are injured in a car accident, regardless of who is at fault. Some of the states have caps on what the insurance company is responsible for and how much they will pay, though. It can also become complicated determining if your health insurance will cover any accident related expenses and who is responsible for what.
Who Pays Medical Bills In Non-No Fault States?
If you live in all of the other states that do not have no fault insurance, you will most likely be responsible for paying your own medical bills. Some auto insurance carriers offer policy riders for their insured that had a medical expenses option, but this isn't generally mandatory coverage in most state minimums.
As you can see, the issue is complicated. It is imperative if you are involved in an automobile accident, regardless of whether it is your fault or someone else's, you contact an auto accident attorney as soon as you are able.