You’ve been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault. The other driver should pay your medical bills, right?
What about the other driver’s insurance? Won’t it pay your medical expenses?
The short answer is that you are responsible for your own medical bills, at first. If the other driver is found to be at fault, their insurance should reimburse you.
Receiving a settlement from an insurance company can take several months. If you have to go to court, it could be much longer.
In most states, you should rely on your own health insurance first. If your insurance doesn’t cover everything and you’re eligible, Medicare may help cover the balance.
Your own auto insurance may include a “medical payments” coverage that can be used (after your primary insurance) to pay for deductibles and co-pays.
After you receive a settlement or judgment, your insurance company(s) may have a right to be reimbursed depending on your plan and the state you are in.
The at-fault driver’s insurance company may make an offer to settle your claim quickly. If this happens, be very careful, as you will have to give up any right to recover any other damages. You may not know the long-term impact of your injuries or other damages to which you may be entitled.
Do You Need An Attorney?
If you’ve been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you should definitely talk to an experienced personal injury attorney. Your attorney can:
- Help you understand your rights and all the damages to which you may be entitled
- Review any settlement offer to ensure it’s fair and you’re not giving up your rights
- Negotiate with medical providers who may not get paid until you get a settlement
- File a claim in court, if a reasonable settlement cannot be reached
If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, we can help. With 140+ years of combined experience, Johnson, Vorhees & Martucci is one of the region’s leading personal injury law firms. Call us at (417) 313-1130, (417) 319-2113, or (833) 600-0125 for a no-cost, no-obligation initial consultation.
