WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MY MEDICAL BILLS AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT?
After a car accident, there are a lot of thoughts running through your head. If you have been injured as a result of a car accident, one of the biggest questions you may have is who is responsible to pay my medical bills?
Will my private health insurance pay?
Will I have to pay for my medical treatment out of pocket?
Is the person at fault for the accident responsible for my medical bills?
Strangely enough, the answer to your question is: none of the above. In fact, in New York, regardless of who is at fault for the accident, the medical expenses related to the injuries you suffered during the accident will be paid for by the insurance policy of the vehicle that you were occupying at the time of the accident. In other words, whether you are a driver or a passenger in the vehicle that is not at fault for the accident, the car insurance for the vehicle you were in at the time of the collision will pay for your medical expenses stemming from the accident.
To learn more about who is responsible for your medical bills if you are a pedestrian or a bicyclist struck by a vehicle, call our experienced personal injury attorneys at Walker & Mackenzie, P.C. near you and see our next Blog.
You may have heard that New York is a “No Fault State.” Perhaps someone from the insurance company told you “you have a No Fault claim,” or maybe the Emergency Room personnel asked you to sign “No Fault” forms. You might be thinking these statements refer to who is liable, or at fault, for the accident itself. However, under these circumstances, what the term “No Fault” really means is: Regardless of who is at fault for the accident itself, your medical bills will be covered by the insurance carrier for the vehicle you were occupying at the time of the collision.
In New York, all auto policies are required to carry a coverage called “Personal Injury Protection”, or “PIP” for short. This coverage is specifically designed to cover medical expenses incurred by the injured individual as a result of an automobile accident. Better yet, “PIP” coverage is not limited to only paying for medical bills. “PIP” coverage also includes: (1) reimbursement for your wages if your doctor determines that your injuries from the car accident make you unable to work; and (2) reimbursement for your travel expenses to and from your doctors’ appointments.
Let’s dive a little deeper into “No Fault” benefits. “PIP” coverage has a basic limit of
$50,000. This may not seem like a huge amount of money considering the cost of healthcare services today. However, insurance companies have already pre-negotiated pricing for health- care services provided for injuries stemming from auto accidents. For example, transportation by ambulance to an emergency room can cost anywhere between $800 to $1200. “No Fault” rate for the ambulance that the insurance company will ultimately pay is a fraction of that amount. You may wonder if you will be liable for the rest of the amount. The answer is no. However, if you received a bill and you wonder: how can I go about having a free consultation with an experienced No Fault attorney near me about my obligations? The answer is here: call Walker & Mackenzie, P.C., your experienced Suffolk County personal injury attorneys near you right away!
These pre-negotiated “No Fault” rates also include pricing for visits to medical specialists such as orthopedists, chiropractors, physical therapist, neurologist, psychotherapists, etc. This also includes reduced rates for radiology imaging such as X-rays and MRIs, which may be necessary for your specialists to determine the best course of treatment for your particular injuries. In short, while “PIP” benefits are not endless, they will certainly last.
Your “PIP” coverage will also pay your lost wages for the time missed from work up to a certain amount. The insurance company for the vehicle you were traveling in at the time of the car accident will pay 80% of your lost wages up to a maximum amount of $2,000.00 per month. For example, if your monthly salary is $4,000.00, 80% of that is $3,200.00. However, the insurance company will only pay $2,000.00 for each month your injuries kept you out of work. For most families, this may not be enough to cover all of the monthly expenses. The maximum amount paid out per month can be increased to $4,000.00 for additional premium. It is always recommended to review your current policy limits and benefits and increase your coverage to the maximum amount allowed if the basic benefits will not be enough to adequately cover your expected monthly income. Wondering again: how can I speak with an experienced No Fault attorney near me? Call Walker & Mackenzie, P.C. and request a free consultation to speak with one of our experienced No Fault attorneys near you today!
Your “No Fault” benefits also include reimbursement for your travel expenses to and from your doctors’ appointment. Under your “PIP” coverage, you are entitled to be reimbursed for each mile you travel to medical appointments. The rate at which you will be reimbursed is based on the current standard mileage reimbursement rate set by the IRS. Additionally, should you need to take a cab, Uber or Lyft to one of your appointments, you can be reimbursed for the money you paid for that trip up to $25.00 a day. Again, this limit can be increased and the experienced No Fault attorneys at Walker & Mackenzie, P.C. can explain to you how. It is also important to speak to your attorney about the process and deadlines for submitting the proper documentation to the insurance company so that you get the maximum reimbursement you are entitled to under your “No Fault” benefits.
In order to receive the benefits discussed above, you will need to file a No Fault application with the correct insurance company and provide that insurance company with all the proper documentation in a timely manner. If you or your loved one was involved in a car accident and have or will be seeking medical treatment as a result of the injuries sustained, do not delay: call the experienced No-Fault attorneys at Walker & Mackenzie, P.C. near you today to learn more about your rights as they pertain to your No Fault benefits.
In many instances, the benefits of No Fault Insurance do not adequately compensate victims of motor vehicle collisions. The dedicated team of personal injury attorneys at Walker & Mackenzie, P.C. near you are experienced in evaluating the claims of car accident victims to determine whether or not a personal injury action should be commenced against the negligent driver in order to fairly compensate the injured person for his or her pain and suffering above what benefits are afforded under No Fault Insurance.
Contact the experienced car accident attorneys at Walker & Mackenzie, P.C. today at (631) 791-5090 for a free, no obligation, consultation to review all of the legal remedies available to you!