Who Pays My Medical Bills in a Car Accident?
If you were involved in a car accident, you may be dealing with extensive injuries and ask, who pays my medical bills in a car accident? It is natural to wonder who pays your medical bills in a car accident that was someone else’s fault. While a personal injury settlement is ultimately designed to cover all your accident-related medical bills, it can take years before you see any money. In the meantime, your healthcare providers will expect payment. So, how do medical bills get paid while you wait for a settlement? The answer may vary a little depending on the state where you live and the type of car insurance you have. The best way to ensure that your medical bills after a car accident are paid on an ongoing basis is to work with a car accident attorney.
Who Pays My Medical Bills in a Car Accident?
Let’s start by identifying who does not have to pay your medical bills on an ongoing basis after a car accident: the at-fault driver (defendant) or their insurance company.
Generally speaking, if you are injured in a car crash through no fault of your own, you are responsible for paying any medical bills you incur from the accident upfront. Eventually, the defendant will pay your damages (including your medical bills) if they are found at fault for your accident. *
*It is important to understand that Washington State is a comparative fault state, which means that fault can be shared in a personal injury case. Damages are awarded based on contributory fault law, which says that you may only be awarded damages proportionate to the percentage of fault contributed by the defendant and nothing for the amount of fault that you contributed. For example, if you were responsible for 10% of the accident then your settlement would be reduced by 10%, which may translate into you covering 10% of your medical bills.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Washington State Drivers who have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) as part of their car insurance coverage can use this money, up to the maximum coverage they paid for, to cover their ongoing medical bills.
Car insurers in Washington state are required to offer at least $10,000 of PIP insurance to any customers who apply for car insurance. However, drivers in Washington State are not required to carry PIP. Drivers may reject it by submitting a denial of coverage.
The insurer is entitled to reimbursement
If a health insurer, government agency, or your car insurance company pays your medical bills related to your car accident, they are entitled to be reimbursed for whatever bills they covered once you receive a personal injury settlement or a favorable court verdict against the defendant. Make sure you understand what portion of your settlement will go to cover medical bills and don’t be surprised if one or more parties place a lien on your settlement to recover monies they spent on your care.
If you are dealing with lien holders on your claim compensation (or if you aren’t sure if you are), you will benefit from the help of a personal injury attorney.
Seek the help of a car accident attorney
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 residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing upfront and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
