If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, who’s going to pay your medical bills? This is a valid question considering how high healthcare costs are in the country.
Several factors affect how much your medical bills are and they include:
- How severe your injuries are
- Who was at fault in your car accident
- If you have health insurance
- If you have car insurance
If you live in New Bedford, MA area, it’s advisable that you get in touch with a car accident lawyer who will help you claim compensation from all the parties liable for your injuries. Call us at 508-999-0800 today to schedule your free initial consultation.
Massachusetts is a No-Fault State
This means that your insurer will pay your medical bills regardless of whether you were at fault for the accident or not. In a fault state, you can seek compensation from the driver who was at fault for your accident.
Most people in Massachusetts will turn to their insurers to help them pay for their medical costs. This is why the state makes it compulsory that you get car insurance the moment you register a car. This is known as personal injury protection coverage (PIP) and it covers 80% of your medical bills, the maximum being $10000.
Given that your insurer will only pay 80% of your medical bills, who then will pay the other 20%? Additionally, who will pay your medical bills if they are more than $10, 000?
As you know, car accident can result in severe injuries and the cost of medical treatment can add up very fast.
Your Health Insurer
The good news is that if you have health insurance, your insurer will pay for the remaining 20% of your medical bills and any additional cost above $10, 000.
Who is at Fault?
Your health insurer will want to know who was liable for your accident because they may want to seek compensation from them on your behalf. They may pay your medical bills as they pursue reimbursement from the at-fault’s insurer.
Your health insurer will do their investigations to determine who was at fault for the accident and they may have to ask the person’s insurance company to pay your medical bills.
In some cases, a car accident may not be due to another person’s negligence. A driver, for example, may run into your car due to uncontrollable situations such as a tire blow out. Tire blow outs may not necessarily be the result of the driver’s negligence; it could be because they are defective. In such scenarios, it’s safe to assume that the manufacturer should be held liable for your injuries. Tire manufacturers owe a duty of care to the public by ensuring their products are safe.
Under other circumstances, your car accident might be as a result of poorly maintained roads. The most import factor to remember is that whoever is responsible for your accident should be held liable for your injuries and therefore, will be held responsible for your medical bills.
Can You Demand The at-fault’s Insurance Company to Pay Your Medical Bills?
If you live in New Bedford, MA, you can pursue a third party claim if your injuries are severe. In order for your injuries to be considered serious, you must have at least:
- A broken bone
- Full disability for at least three months
- Significant disfigurement
- Limited use of a body organ
- Limited use of bodily functions
According to Massachusetts law, if your injuries are serious, then you are allowed to file a personal injury lawsuit and pursue compensation.
The at Fault Insurance Company May Deny Your Claim
Insurance companies are in the business of making money and may deny your claim citing flimsy reasons. For instance, the at fault’s insurance company may try to blame you for the accident or try to imply that your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim them to be. They can also claim that the form of treatment you went for was unnecessary and expensive and may urge you to go for another cheaper form of treatment.
The good news is that a good car insurance lawyer can negotiate on your behalf and get you the compensation that you deserve. If you wish to find out today who is liable for your injuries and how to claim compensation, contact us at 508-999-0800.
