Accidents leave destruction, devastation, and confusion in their wake. It is comforting enough that you survived the accident, but soon enough, the question of who is responsible for your medical bills pops up. How will you pay hospital bills? Michigan has complicated no-fault auto insurance laws, which can be challenging to comprehend without legal help. If you`re a Flint resident, for instance, and are involved in a road accident on the M-54 highway or the I-475 in Genesee, a Flint car accident lawyer can help interpret the law for you. The following parties should pay your medical bills after a car accident:
You
Primarily, you are required to pay for your medical expenses as they pile up after a car accident. You can do this directly out of pocket. Most people prefer having a primary medical cover that will pay the bills instead of doing it in cash.
If you were involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, the at-fault party should compensate you for the losses, including medical bills. However, personal injury compensation claims can take months or even years before settlement. Most healthcare providers are unwilling to wait that long, and you must pay them out of pocket as you wait for the determination.
Generally, you pay for the medical expenses, but the at-fault party will reimburse you. Also, much depends on your state, as you will learn in subsequent sections.
Fault States
Payment of damages, including medical expenses for car accident injuries in at-fault states, is pretty straightforward. You just use your own money or personal healthcare covers, then file a personal injury compensation claim against the person responsible. The liable party will pay back the money after the courts determine and settle your insurance claim or lawsuit.
Most at-fault states require drivers to carry a form of auto insurance coverage with a third-party policy. If found guilty of causing a crash, the insurers will pay the other driver and the passengers’ medical bills on behalf of their client. You can also hire a Flint car accident attorney to file your lawsuit on your behalf since insurers tend to deny some claims in pursuit of profit.
Some drivers also have Med Pay coverage which covers the bills of everyone covered under the policy up to a specific limit, usually under $10,000. This is especially helpful for paying your expenses if you are at fault since no one will compensate you.
No-Fault Insurance
Around 12 states apply no-fault laws, including Michigan, Florida, Kentucky, and New Jersey. Every driver must carry auto insurance which will pay their medical bill no matter who is at fault. After a car accident in Flint, Michigan, your insurer is responsible for paying your medical bills up to the limits of the no-fault coverage.
What happens when the no-fault limit is exceeded? Primary health insurance providers and other state-run programs like Medicare and Medicaid will kick in. After that, you can sue the at-fault driver for compensation if you have enough grounds under the set rules.
Other Options
If you`re not covered under Med Pay or other forms of health insurance, you must pay for your bills out of pocket. But what happens when you lack the financial ability to do so? The only remaining choice is medical liens.
Healthcare providers will treat you and then lay a claim or “lien” on your final compensation claim award. This means that when the award is out, they will get paid before you do. Please note that medical liens can be super expensive, sometimes taking a significant share of your settlement award.
The person responsible for your medical bills also depends on the situation. For example, hail taxi services like Lyft and Uber have their auto in-house insurance policies. In such instances, Lyft and Uber will cover your accident-related medical expenses.
Final Word
Basically, you take care of your medical bills through insurance coverage or directly out of pocket. Insurance claim awards and medical liens are other means of settling hospital bills.
Michigan and other states have in place a complex auto law that’s not based on law, and it is difficult to figure out who foots your medical bills after a car accident. A Flint car accident lawyer can interpret specific auto insurance laws in your state and help pursue your course for compensation if you are a victim residing in this area.
