Victims of car accidents often suffer from various damages that make the weeks and months after the incident stressful. If you were injured in the accident, you will likely have significant car accident medical bills piling up as you seek the necessary care to recover. While these medical costs can be overwhelming, knowing who is responsible for paying your medical bills after a car accident is the first step in handling these bills.
The Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP is a New York personal injury law firm with experience helping clients who have suffered harm in a car accident caused by a negligent party. To hold the at-fault party responsible and ensure you do not have to pay out of pocket for your medical bills, our team of trusted lawyers can help you file a personal injury claim.
Understanding New York’s No-Fault Insurance System
Navigating the aftermath of a car accident can be daunting, but understanding New York’s no-fault insurance system can provide some clarity. In New York, no-fault insurance is designed to ensure that you receive prompt medical benefits, regardless of who caused the accident. This system means that each driver’s own insurance policy covers their medical expenses up to the policy limits, making the process of getting medical care more straightforward.
A key component of this system is Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, which is mandatory for all drivers in New York. PIP helps cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other necessary costs resulting from the accident. This coverage is crucial as it provides up to $50,000 per person for economic losses, ensuring that you can focus on your recovery without immediate financial stress.
If you have multiple insurance policies, coordination of benefits rules will apply. This means that your PIP coverage will be the primary source of payment for your medical expenses, and any additional insurance policies you have may cover the remaining costs. Understanding these rules can help you maximize your benefits and ensure that all your medical expenses are covered.
Navigating Medical Bills and Health Insurance Coverage
After a car accident in New York, dealing with medical bills and health insurance coverage can be complex. If you have health insurance, it can play a crucial role in covering your medical expenses once your no-fault coverage is exhausted or if it becomes unavailable for any reason. However, it’s important to understand that each health insurance provider, including Medicare and Medicaid, has its own limits and rules regarding the payment of claims.
In some cases, your health insurance company may seek reimbursement for the claims they paid if you win a lawsuit. This process, known as subrogation, allows your health insurer to recover the costs from the settlement or judgment you receive. Additionally, medical providers may engage in balance billing, where they attempt to bill you directly for the amount that the insurance company wrote off or negotiated.
To navigate these complexities, it’s essential to keep detailed records of all your medical expenses and communications with your insurance providers. If you encounter issues with balance billing or need assistance understanding your coverage, consulting with a personal injury lawyer can provide valuable guidance and support.
Who Will Be Responsible for Paying Your Medical Bills After a Car Crash?
New York is a no-fault state. This means that when you file a personal injury claim, you will file with your own insurance company as opposed to that of the driver who hit you. For this reason, New York drivers are required to purchase Personal Injury Protection insurance coverage. Also known as PIP, this insurance is designed to cover you in the event of an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
Your insurance can pay up to $50,000 for economic losses related to your car accident. Economic losses that are eligible to be covered by PIP insurance include the following:
- Necessary and reasonable medical expenses
- 80% of lost earnings up to a maximum of $2,000 per month for up to three years from the date the accident occurred
- Other necessary and reasonable expenses related to the injuries you suffered as a result of the crash
When filing your claim, it is important to keep in mind that while PIP insurance covers the driver and passenger in the car, this type of coverage typically does not cover medical bills related to DUI accidents, except for some emergency services. Following your accident, you should always seek prompt medical attention. This will allow your personal injury lawyer to submit your bills to the insurance company within 45 days of treatment to receive prompt payment for medical treatment and bills.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim for Medical Expenses
If your PIP coverage is exhausted and you still have outstanding medical expenses, you may need to file a claim with the at-fault party’s auto insurance carrier. This process can help you seek the total amount required for your medical expenses and other accident-related losses. However, it’s important to be aware of New York’s collateral source rule, which ensures that you are not compensated multiple times for the same expense.
The collateral source rule means that any compensation you receive from other sources, such as health insurance or workers’ compensation, will be deducted from the amount you can recover from the at-fault party’s insurance. This rule is designed to prevent double recovery and ensure fairness in the compensation process.
Navigating the complexities of filing a personal injury claim can be challenging, but a car accident claim attorney can help you maximize your potential recovery. An experienced attorney will guide you through the process, ensuring that all your medical expenses are accounted for and that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Dealing with Insurance Company Refusals to Pay
There are times when your insurance company may underpay or refuse to pay your claims, adding to the stress of recovering from a car accident. Insurance companies might refuse to pay claims if they believe the accident was not covered under the policy or if they dispute the extent of your injuries. When this happens, it’s crucial to have a personal injury lawyer on your side.
A knowledgeable automobile accident attorney can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, ensuring that you receive just compensation for your injuries. They can help you understand your legal rights and options, protect you from unintended outcomes, and ensure that your medical expenses are covered.
If you encounter issues with your insurance company, don’t hesitate to seek legal assistance. An experienced lawyer can provide the support and guidance you need to navigate the complexities of dealing with insurance refusals and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Understanding Your Rights After a Crash
Understanding who is responsible for paying medical bills after a car accident can be a complex issue. In New York, drivers are required to carry no-fault insurance, which provides up to $50,000 per person for medical bills, lost wages, and other necessary expenses after a motor vehicle accident. This coverage is designed to ensure that you receive prompt medical care without the need to determine fault.
If you have questions about who pays medical bills after a car accident or need assistance understanding your legal options, it’s important to consult with a personal injury law firm. A car accident claim attorney can help you navigate the complexities of the no-fault insurance system and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
By seeking legal advice, you can better understand your rights and options after a crash, ensuring that you are not left paying out of pocket for your medical expenses. Contact a personal injury lawyer for a free consultation to discuss your case and explore your options for recovering compensation.
What Are Medical Liens?
If you are concerned about paying your medical bills, some medical providers will wait until the car accident claim settles for payment. Your personal injury lawyer can negotiate a medical lien with one or more of your medical providers.
The medical lien is on the settlement proceeds of your car accident claim. This means that your medical bills must be paid from the settlement proceeds or jury verdict before you receive any money for your other damages. If your case is not successful, you will be responsible for paying your medical bills. To get help with the personal injury process and to ensure you are able to pay for your medical bills following a car accident, contact a New York lawyer as soon as possible.
Get Help With Your Medical Bills From a New York Car Accident Lawyer
Car accidents often leave victims with injuries and various other losses. However, you should never have to pay out of pocket for the injuries you have suffered as a result of another party’s negligence.
The trusted personal injury lawyers at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP can help you get the compensation you deserve to pay for your medical bills and other expenses you may have incurred due to the accident. To get help with your car accident claim, contact our New York law firm today at (516) 358-6900 or complete our contact form for a free consultation. You can also subscribe to our Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP YouTube Channel to stay up to date on any laws that may impact your New York car accident case.
