While you’re out of work due to a car accident-related injury, it may feel like you have no way to pay for the treatment you need to recover. If you’re living paycheck to paycheck like most Americans, being out of work means you lose the ability to afford basic necessities, nevermind the exorbitant medical bills that can come from emergency treatment. You may be wondering who will pay medical bills after a car accident. If the other driver was at fault, we’ll make sure you’re fairly compensated.
Get Help Paying Medical Bills
New York requires all drivers to carry $50,000 of Personal Injury Protection Insurance (PIP), which kicks in as the first response to pay for medical expenses and out-of-pocket costs. It can even cover income you have lost while you recover.
If your injuries are serious enough to surpass your PIP coverage, you will need to seek compensation from a third-party liability insurance policy held by the at-fault driver. To prove your injuries are serious and that another driver was liable, legal proceedings may need to take place.
Despite the stress and negativity a bad car accident causes, it’s important to keep your own best interests in mind throughout the entire process. There are many decisions you will need to make in the upcoming weeks and months that can change your life.
Carner & DeVita have been fighting for the rights of New York’s injured for decades. The founding members started representing Long Islanders in 1957. We have the experience to fight back against the tactics of insurance companies and at-fault drivers, increasing your chances of receiving a settlement that suits your needs.
Call us any time to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a Long Island car accident lawyer at (631) 543-7070.
How to Pay for Medical Treatment After a New York Car Accident
There are two types of insurance all New York drivers are required to have:
Personal Injury Protection Insurance
The first is the primary source when it comes to dealing with the immediate costs of a car accident, no matter who is at fault. Your PIP will cover medical costs and financial losses, so long as they don’t exceed the maximum amount determined by your policy ($50,000 in the state of New York).
Due to the no-fault system in place in New York, this insurance doesn’t require any investigation into fault, and it doesn’t require you to deal with another driver’s insurance company. This means you will have access to funds to pay for common accident-related expenses without needing to go through the hassle of fighting for compensation. All you need to do is establish that you have injuries that are directly related to the accident.
You can recover 80% of your lost wages – up to $2,000 a month – through your PIP as well.
If you have a serious injury, leading to expenses greater than your PIP coverage, then you may need to seek further compensation from another driver’s third-party bodily injury liability (BIL) policy.
Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) Insurance
The second type of insurance all drivers are required to have under New York law is Bodily Injury Liability insurance. This insurance is mandatory, and it ensures damages related to serious injuries can still be recovered when the victim meets the serious injury requirements.
If your injuries are in this category, you will likely need to file a claim against the other driver’s insurance, just as you would in an at-fault state. When dealing with liability insurance outside of the PIP system, fault becomes important. Investigations will take place to divvy up liability in a proportional comparative manner.
New York allows any driver to seek and recover damages from an accident, even when they’re partially at fault. In these scenarios, the final amount you’ll be eligible to receive to pay for your damages will be directly reduced by the amount of responsibility you had in the accident.
Importantly, a BIL policy can cover excess loss wages not covered by a PIP claim.
When filing a BIL claim, the legal team of an opposing insurance company is highly likely to pin blame on you for the accident, even in circumstances where common sense would lead you to believe you had no liability at all. For this reason, you must be ready to defend against such allegations.
This is where a seasoned Long Island car accident lawyer can help you fight for the compensation you need to fully recover.
Fight to Recover Damages After a New York Car Accident
When you start seeing the medical bills pile up after an accident, it can feel insurmountable on top of the physical pain you’re still in. It can be especially stressful if you can’t immediately return to work. We can help make sure those responsible for your accident pay medical bills after a car accident.
Fortunately, New York’s insurance laws give its drivers a significant amount of buffer room when dealing with the expenses an accident incites. Still, car accidents can be devastating and can cost far more than the $50,000 maximum covered by PIP.
Additionally, a PIP policy may not fully cover your lost wages. While your PIP coverage does help pay for treatment at first, it may be necessary to seek the services of a New York car accident lawyer.
When seeking the assistance of a car accident lawyer in New York, look no further than Carner & DeVita. We have been helping the victims of accidents like you fight and win their cases against insurance companies and at-fault drivers for over 60 years. It’s important for you to keep receiving the care you need, and seeking restitution when the costs of the accident surpass your PIP maximums. We can help ensure you’re able to fully recover.
If you’re wondering who will pay medical bills after a car accident, give us a call today at (631) 543-7070, or contact us online, and we can discuss the details of your case, at no cost or obligation to you.