If you have been seriously injured in a car accident, your primary focus should be recovering from your injuries. However, for most people, it is not long before worries arise about paying for medical bills.
Who pays your medical bills after a car accident?
Who is responsible for your medical bills?
If you prevail in a personal injury lawsuit or if you reach a settlement, you may receive compensation for your medical bills. However, the process can take several months.
Because Pennsylvania is a no-fault insurance state, your auto insurance company is responsible for paying your medical bills through the personal injury protection coverage on your policy. Your insurance will only pay up to your policy limits and you may need to pay deductibles and copayments. If you do not have automobile insurance or the limits of your policy are not sufficient to cover your medical bills, your health insurance policy may cover your costs.
What happens if you receive a settlement?
If the other party’s insurance agrees to pay your medical bills or you win your lawsuit, your insurance company may attempt to recover what it paid through a process called subrogation.
While the negligent party’s insurance may eventually pay the cost of your medical bills, in the immediate aftermath of an accident, you or your insurance company is responsible for paying your bills. Your medical provider may be able to bill your insurance company directly or work out a payment plan while you pursue your claim.
