You pay for your auto insurance year after year, even though you (thankfully) may not need to use it very often. Therefore, when a serious auto accident does occur, it may not be clear who is responsible for paying any necessary medical bills. Will the bill go to your car insurance company, the other party’s insurance company, or your medical insurance company?
Before you concern yourself with who will pay, be sure to seek any necessary medical care immediately. Your health and safety is the most important outcome from any incident – the payment of your auto accident injuries can be worked out once you have been well taken care of.
Auto Accident Injuries & Payments
The following are important facts to know regarding medical bills after a Florida auto accident.
- Florida is a no-fault state, and one of just ten states that have personal injury protection (PIP) auto insurance. This insurance stipulates that each individual is responsible for their own auto accident injuries, regardless of fault. PIP coverage provides immediate medical coverage up to $10,000, reducing wait times for reimbursement – as well as minimizing backlog on the court dockets. In Tampa and Sarasota, PIP coverage is required coverage and must be purchased by all owners of motor vehicles registered in this state.
- PIP claims are known as first-party claims, as they are claims that you make against your own insurance company. PIP laws require your insurance company to pay 80% of your medical bills up to $10,000. You will still personally be responsible for your deductible, and the remaining 20%.
- PIP also covers your passengers, relatives living in the same house, or anyone driving your car. A pedestrian or bicyclist struck by you are also covered by this insurance.
- If PIP has paid for the initial 80% of your bills, and there are further bills to be paid, your health insurance will likely cover the costs. However, it is important to note that if you successfully sue the other driver(s) involved in the accident, your health insurance provider will expect to be reimbursed out of your settlement proceeds.
- Like standard heath insurance, both Medicare and Medicaid will pay for out of pocket medical expenses.
- In many cases, even in a no-fault state, you can sue the other party for damages. If you feel that your recent accident may be the direct result of another’s negligence, call a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to determine if you have a case and to plan a course of action.
- If you were injured in a car accident while on the job, your employer’s workman’s compensation coverage will pay your medical bills – you will not be held responsible for any work=related medical bills, including deductibles. You may also be reimbursed for transportation costs to and from your doctor’s appointments.Did You Know? There is statute of limitations for filing a claim after an auto accident, so don’t delay in seeking representation if you feel you may have a case!
It is important that you understand all of your legal options if you have been involved in an auto accident so that you can be properly reimbursed for your expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. That is why you should prepare yourself with the knowledge of what to do immediately following a car accident, and to call an attorney to answer any questions you may have regarding your auto accident injuries. Probinsky & Cole employ expert attorneys to represent you, whether you need advice for auto accident, personal injury or workman’s compensation claims. Call our Sarasota or Brandon offices today.
