The cost of medical bills after a car accident can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the severity of the injuries and the amount of medical care required. In many cases, the cost of medical care is far more than people can afford to pay on their own. Medical bills for a car accident may involve ambulance expenses, ER visits, hospitalization, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and rehabilitation. These costs can add up quickly and may be covered in a variety of ways.
If you or a loved one is feeling stressed about paying for medical bills after a car accident caused by another driver, know that a car accident attorney can help. Contact a local car accident lawyer for a free consultation as soon as possible after your accident to discuss your accident and legal rights.
What is The Average Cost of Car Accident Medical Bills?
The cost of medical bills after a car crash can vary widely. The average hospital bill for an emergency room (ER) visit in Washington State is $1,146 according to wahealthcarecompare.com and the average inpatient hospitalization following a car accident is $57,000.
Accidents involving only minor injuries typically don’t exceed $10,000 in medical bills. In cases involving severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injury, medical costs can exceed $100,000, especially if surgery, intensive care, or long-term rehabilitation are necessary.
Who Pays the Medical Bills in a Car Accident?
A personal injury attorney can help car accident victims manage their medical bills by negotiating with insurers and medical providers. Apart from this, accident victims in Washington State have various options for payment: Personal Injury Protection (PIP) under their auto insurance policy, employer or private health insurance, or allowing medical providers to place a lien against their personal injury claim.
No-Fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
A car accident lawyer can help ensure that the victim’s medical expenses are covered through available insurance options like Personal Injury Protection (PIP). PIP coverage in Washington is available in amounts ranging from $10,000 to $35,000 and is considered no-fault insurance. This means that accident victims are eligible for PIP coverage even if they caused the accident. But, given how expensive medical care is in the U.S., PIP benefits can run out quickly, depending on the severity of injuries.
Private Health Insurance
Once PIP benefits are depleted, victims can rely on their health insurance to cover additional medical expenses. If a victim does not have health insurance, they will need to pay out of pocket or find a medical provider willing to make alternative payment arrangements.
Personal Injury Settlement or Jury Award
When someone gets injured in a car accident due to the negligence of another driver, medical bills can be paid for through a personal injury settlement. When an equitable settlement cannot be reached, the personal injury lawyer will take the case to trial in the hopes of getting a reasonable verdict and jury award.
Medical Liens:
A car accident attorney may arrange for medical providers to attach a lien to the personal injury lawsuit so that the victim can get the care they need without incurring a pre-settlement bill. This arrangement enables victims to receive care without any upfront payments and ensures that providers are reimbursed after the claim has been paid.
Subrogation After a Settlement
After the settlement is paid, lienholders will access the fund to pay outstanding medical expenses and to recoup any costs initially paid by the victim’s insurer via a process called subrogation. Under Washington state law, victims are required to pay their medical providers when a settlement or verdict is obtained. Because the claim covers the medical costs, the insurance providers that covered these costs upfront are entitled to reimbursement for their outlay.
Seek the Help of a Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing people injured in Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County, and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
