A personal injury as a result of a car accident leads to excessive amounts of unforeseeable medical expenses. While the priority is always to seek medical treatment, it is also understandable that financial worries may be on your mind. We’re here to provide some background on medical expenses involved with car accidents and who can be expected to cover them.
What Expenses Can I Claim After a Car Accident?
An accident can require a variety of medical care from different professionals as well as hospitalization, rehabilitation, and ongoing therapy. Here are some of the most common types of medical bills you may incur after being injured in a car accident:
- Ambulance Services: Emergency transportation expenses could add up especially if you require transport to a hospital as well as paramedic care. The ambulance ride itself is costly in addition to any specialized care you may have received on the scene of the accident and on the way to the hospital.
- Hospital Bills: Severe injuries could require extended stays at the hospital. Services such as emergency room care, surgery, any medical examinations or testing, medications, specialist care, and even the stay itself can factor into your hospital bills.
- Primary and Specialty Physician Bills: Any appointments with medical professionals such as follow-ups with your primary care doctor or even specialists such as physical therapists, neurologists, and more can incur additional costs.
- Rehabilitation and Therapy: Recovering from the physical, emotional, and mental trauma of an accident can take months. You may be in need of physical or occupational therapy to regain strength as well as sessions to work through the emotional aftermath of your accident.
- Medications and Assistive Devices: Prescription medications like those used to manage pain and treat infections or assistive devices like wheelchairs, braces, etc. are an additional cost to medical expenses.
Does Auto Insurance Cover Medical Expenses If You Are at Fault?
To understand who is responsible for bills, it’s important to know if you live in an at-fault or no-fault state. This determines whose insurance may end up footing the bill. In some states, such as Missouri, the at-fault driver’s insurance may be responsible for covering medical expenses while other states may require each party’s own insurance to cover expenses up to the policy’s limits.
All of this is determined through negotiations between the insurance company and the parties involved. This can be a stressful process which is why it is beneficial to have an attorney on your side who knows what they are doing. This can ensure that you’re not being offered low settlements and that the compensation you receive is adequate to cover the costs and damages involved with the accident. Learn more about comparative fault and what it means for those in Missouri.
In a No-Fault Accident Who Pays?
No-fault states require each driver’s own insurance to cover costs regardless of who caused the accident. In these states, drivers carry PIP or Personal Injury Protection as part of their auto insurance policy. This kicks in to cover medical and other expenses like lost wages in the case of an accident. Once the limits of the policy have been reached, health insurance typically comes into play to cover what’s left before you take over costs.
DM Injury Law Seeks Compensation on Your Behalf
If you are involved in a crash that leads to significant medical expenses, know that you don’t have to face this hardship alone. Attorneys at DM Injury Law are on your side and ready to fight for justice on your behalf. Our team has extensive experience representing car accident claims and will work tirelessly to ensure your rights are protected. Contact us today for a free consultation. Remember, we only win if you do- reach out today to learn what it’s like to have an experienced legal team on your side.