If you suffer an injury in any type of car accident, it is only natural to expect that your medical bills will be paid and that you will have money for the pain and suffering you have experienced. However, for quite a few accident victims, there are other considerations. Learning about the ways that your medical bills may be paid can help you fully understand your situation.
There are three common ways that medical bills are paid for after a person is involved in a car accident. These methods include:
- Personal Injury Protection Insurance
- Your own health insurance
- The negligent party or at-fault driver
Personal Injury Protection Insurance (PIP Insurance) Coverage for Your Car Accident
The easiest way to have medical bills paid is with PIP insurance. This is the insurance that goes with the vehicle that the victim was driving or that a passenger was in. With PIP, you receive coverage for medical expenses, lost wages and other costs that result from the personal injuries suffered in the accident.
This means that the PIP benefit will cover the medical bills related to the injuries you suffered in the car accident, regardless of fault.
Your Health Insurance after a Car Accident
Another source of payment is your own health insurance. In some cases, your health insurance will cover the bills you incur after a car accident. The catch to this is that when the insurance company covers your medical bills, they will put a subrogation lien on any settlement you may potentially receive. If you fail to pay back the money that is owed, then you may be at risk of losing your insurance benefits completely.
When you contact a car accident attorney, they can negotiate with your insurance company to help reduce the total medical lien they may have. When these negotiations are made, the amount of settlement you receive will be increased.
The need to repay your insurance company is referred to as subrogation. When you are required to pay back this amount, you only have to pay the amount your insurance company paid, which is often lower than what an individual person would pay due to the contracts insurance companies have with health care providers.
The Negligent Party or At-Fault Driver’s Responsibilities after a Car Accident
If someone else is at fault for your car accident, then they will be responsible for paying all of your medical bills. This is something else that your attorney can assist with.
If you need help with your car accident settlement or need assistance negotiating with your health insurance company, you should contact a Fairfax car accident attorney. You can learn more and ask questions by contacting the team of attorneys at Hilton & Somer, LLC by calling (703) 560-0700.
Additional Reading:
5 Safety Tips to Avoid Accidents
Asleep at the Wheel: What You Need to Know About Driver Fatigue
