You may be wondering how to pay your medical bills after you were injured in a car accident in Tampa. The expenses for medical treatment can accumulate rapidly, and covering these costs out of pocket might not be feasible. In this blog post, we’ll outline how car accident medical bills can be paid and provide guidance on securing the compensation necessary to address your expenses.
Who Pays Medical Bills in a Car Accident?
The person who causes a car accident is typically responsible for paying the medical bills of anyone injured in the crash. However, Florida has a “no-fault” insurance system, meaning that your car insurance policy will play a role in paying your medical bills. Under this system, your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage will pay for a portion of your medical expenses, no matter who caused the accident.
Using Your PIP Coverage to Pay Medical Bills
Because you have PIP coverage as part of your Florida car insurance policy, this coverage will kick in first to pay your medical bills after a car accident. Florida law requires all drivers to carry at least $10,000 in PIP coverage.
Your PIP coverage will pay 80% of your medical expenses up to the policy limit. For example, if you have $10,000 in PIP coverage and your medical bills total $5,000, your PIP coverage will pay $4,000 (80% of $5,000). You will be responsible for paying the remaining $1,000 out of pocket.
PIP coverage also pays 60% of the wages you miss if your injuries keep you from working.
It’s important to note that PIP coverage does not pay for damage to your vehicle.
Using the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance
If the accident wasn’t your fault and your medical expenses exceed the limits of your PIP policy, you can file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company for those excess medical expenses. If you suffered injuries that meet Florida’s serious injury threshold, such as permanent injuries, significant scarring and disfigurement, or permanent loss of a vital body function, you could also qualify for compensation for “non-economic” losses, too. Non-economic losses are subjective losses like pain and suffering.
Using Health Insurance to Pay Medical Bills
If your medical bills exceed your PIP coverage limit, your health insurance may also help pay for your treatment. Most health insurance policies cover medically necessary treatment for a car accident, but you may be responsible for paying deductibles and copays.
If you use your health insurance to pay for medical treatment after a car accident, your insurance company can pursue reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s insurance company through subrogation. This means your health insurance company will try to recover the money it paid for your medical treatment from the other driver’s insurance.
Paying Medical Bills Out of Your Settlement
If you file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company, you may wonder if you have to pay your medical bills out of your settlement. The answer depends on several factors, including whether you used your PIP coverage or health insurance to pay for your treatment.
If you utilized your PIP coverage to settle your medical bills and those medical bills were not included in your settlement, you won’t need to repay this amount from your settlement. However, if the amounts your PIP insurance paid were included in your settlement, you’ll need to repay that money from your settlement.
If you used your health insurance to pay for your medical treatment, your insurance company may require you to reimburse it out of your settlement. This means you may have to pay back some or all of the money your health insurance company paid for your medical bills.
What If Your Medical Bills Exceed Your Settlement?
In some cases, your medical bills may exceed the amount of your settlement. This can happen if your injuries are severe and require extensive medical treatment or if the at-fault driver’s insurance policy has low liability limits.
If your medical bills exceed your settlement, you might have to pay the remaining balance out of pocket. However, your skilled car accident attorney could negotiate with your healthcare providers to reduce your bills or set up a payment plan that works for your budget.
Your attorney may also explore other sources of compensation to help cover your medical expenses, such as using the underinsured motorist coverage on your auto policy or filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
How to Pay Your Medical Bills Before Receiving Your Settlement
If you’re waiting for a settlement from the at-fault driver’s insurance company, you may wonder how you will pay your medical bills. There are several options available to help you cover your expenses besides what we’ve already mentioned:
- Work with your medical providers: Some medical providers may be willing to defer payment until you receive your settlement. Talk to your providers about your situation and see if they will agree to place a lien on your settlement. You or your attorney can also negotiate to reduce the amount of the bill.
- Explore medical financing options: Several companies offer medical financing specifically for car accident victims. These companies may pay your medical bills upfront and then seek reimbursement out of your settlement. However, be sure to read the fine print and understand the financing agreement terms before signing.
Get Help from an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
After a car accident, it can be overwhelming to pay your bills, especially if you’re dealing with serious injuries. That’s where an experienced Tampa car accident attorney can help.
At Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers, we help car accident victims in Tampa get the compensation necessary to cover their medical bills and other expenses. We collaborate with medical providers, insurance companies, and other relevant parties so our clients receive the highest possible settlement and their medical bills get paid.
If you’ve sustained injuries in a car accident in Tampa, avoid managing your medical bills and insurance claims independently. Reach out to Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers at (619) 233-5020 for a complimentary consultation with one of our seasoned car accident attorneys. We’ll evaluate your case and guide you through your options for settling your medical bills and securing the compensation you’re entitled to.
