Who Should Pay Your Medical Bills After an Auto Collision?
After a serious car accident in Bellevue, WA, you may have severe injuries which will require considerable treatment. Who should pay your medical bills after a car accident? What should you do if you find yourself struggling to afford payment?
A car accident lawyer from Quick Law Group, PLLC can help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve after a serious car accident.
Personal Injury Protection Insurance and How It Can Help
Washington insurance companies must legally offer personal injury protection (PIP) insurance to drivers when they choose to insure their vehicles. Drivers do not have to carry personal injury protection insurance--you can turn it down by submitting a denial of coverage--but insurance companies have to provide the option for drivers to apply for at least $10,000 in personal injury protection coverage.
Personal injury protection coverage can prove vital after a car accident. Not only does it provide compensation for your initial medical bills after a serious accident, it can help provide some coverage for wages lost due to inability to work after a serious accident. PIP coverage kicks in regardless of who causes an accident, and if you carry PIP insurance, you will usually use it as your first line of defense when it comes to paying medical bills after an accident, even before you file a personal injury claim.
Who Must Pay Your Medical Costs?
Ultimately, as the person injured in the accident and the person receiving medical services, you will need to make arrangements to pay for your medical care. While you can use your personal insurance, including your health insurance, to cover some of the cost of your medical bills, chances are, you will face significant copays, deductibles, and even coinsurance costs.
Personal injury protection insurance can help alleviate some of those costs after an accident, but since minimum PIP insurance offers just $10,000 in coverage, it may not provide enough assistance to cover the full cost of treatment for severe injuries, especially those that may require long-term treatments.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim After a Car Accident
Following a car accident, you may need to file a personal injury claim to help you pursue compensation for your injuries. Usually, you will file a personal injury claim when another driver's negligence causes the accident. If the other driver is judged liable for the accident, you can pursue compensation through that driver's insurance company.
A personal injury claim is designed to help provide compensation for the cost of medical bills after a serious accident. However, keep in mind that a car accident claim will not require the liable party to pay your medical bills directly. Instead, you will receive compensation in the form of a settlement payout, which you can then use to cover the cost of your medical expenses or to reimburse you for expenses you may already have paid. In some cases, car accident claims may not offer full compensation for all the medical costs you faced after your accident. In that case, you will need to make other arrangements to pay those bills.
What If You Cannot Afford to Pay?
If you suffer serious injuries after a car accident, but cannot afford to pay for the cost of medical care, you may have your attorney file a letter of protection, which will establish your intent to pay your car accident bills once you receive a settlement. You may also choose to work with your medical care provider to come up with reasonable payment arrangements.
A Bellevue Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you suffered serious injuries in a Bellevue car accident, contact Quick Law Group, PLLC online for a legal consultation. You can also reach us by phone at (425) 576-8150. Our team is here to help you.
