Who Pays The Medical Bills For Injuries From A Car Accident?

In 2021, 5.4 million people in the US sought medical attention for motor vehicle accident injuries. Medical bills from doctor visits and treatments can quickly add up when you have been injured in a car accident. But who pays for your medical bills after a collision?

The answer to this question partly depends on the car insurance laws in the state where you live. If you were injured in a car accident in a no-fault state like Utah, your no-fault insurance should cover the cost of your medical expenses. However, in some cases, you can still pursue compensation from the at-fault driver or other liable parties.

Have you suffered severe injuries due to someone else’s negligence? If so, you may be surprised by the various parties that could be responsible for covering your damages. If you are unsure of how to receive compensation for medical bills after a collision, our car injury attorneys can answer any questions you have and help you file a claim.

Does No-Fault Insurance Cover Your Medical Expenses After a Car Accident?

Utah is 1 of 12 states that has implemented the “no-fault” auto insurance system – sometimes referred to as personal injury protection (PIP). PIP insurance policies are called “no-fault” because they will cover claims regardless of who was at fault for the car accident.

If you have personal injury protection coverage, you should be able to secure compensation for the cost of your medical expenses through your insurance policy immediately – regardless of whether you caused the car accident or not.

Common examples of medical costs covered under your car insurance policy include:

• Ambulance rides
• Diagnostic tests
• Hospital stays
• Surgeries
• Medications
• Physical therapy
• Prosthetics and more

Once your medical expenses exceed your state’s no-fault limits, you will be responsible for paying for the additional medical costs.

Your Health Insurance Policy May Cover Additional Medical Bills

If you were severely injured in a car accident, your medical bills may exceed your policy limits. You may be able to turn to other sources of insurance coverage, even your personal health insurance policy, to avoid paying out of pocket.

If you have health insurance and are injured in a car accident, your health insurance provider should cover the cost of your injuries once you have exhausted your no-fault coverage.

When to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Car Accident

Another way to get compensation for your medical bills is by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver or other parties liable for your car accident.

If you live in Utah, your car accident claim must meet certain criteria in order for you to be eligible to file a lawsuit. You must have at least $3,000 in medical bills from injuries incurred in the car accident, or have suffered an injury that caused specific severe injuries.

Car accident victims in Utah are eligible to file a lawsuit if they have sustained one of the following:

• Bone fracture
• Permanent disability
• Permanent impairment
• Dismemberment
• Permanent disfigurement
• Wrongful death

If you are considering filing a personal injury lawsuit or are unsure whether you meet the qualifications to file, please do not hesitate to contact a car injury lawyer. We can clarify your options for you.

Liable Parties in Utah Car Accidents

Car injury attorneys can help injured victims identify the parties who are liable for their medical bills and other damages. In some situations, multiple parties may be at fault.

Liable parties may include:

• Other drivers
• Commercial trucking companies
• Mechanics
• Vehicle or parts manufacturers
• Government agencies

Car injury lawyers can thoroughly investigate the cause of a crash. We have the resources and know-how to gather evidence, prove fault, and identify every party responsible for the accident.

Who Pays for Medical Bills If You Are Partially Liable for the Car Accident?

What if you are seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident, your case goes to court, and the jury finds you partially liable for the accident? You still may be eligible to recover compensation from the at-fault party, depending on the negligence laws in your state.

Utah has a modified comparative negligence law with an at-fault limit of 50 percent. According to this rule, if you are found to share over 50 percent of the blame for the accident, you cannot recover damages from the other party. However, if you are less than 50 percent responsible, you may qualify to receive some damages.

Under the modified comparative negligence law, your settlement will be reduced based on your share of negligence in the car accident. For example, if you were awarded a $100,000 settlement and found to be 10 percent liable for the collision, you will receive $90,000 in damages.

Your car injury lawyer will be able to answer any questions you have about your claim and guide you through the legal process.

Hire a Car Injury Lawyer to Receive Compensation for Your Medical Bills

The days and weeks following a serious car accident can be overwhelming. If you have sustained severe injuries in a motor vehicle accident, a car injury lawyer can assist you. You need this help to manage your medical bills and pursue fair compensation for the damages.

Consider some of the ways car injury lawyers can help with medical expenses following an accident:

• Negotiate medical bills: Car injury attorneys can review medical bills and negotiate with medical providers to reduce the amount an injured victim has to pay. We can negotiate a reasonable amount to lessen your burden.
• Advise on health insurance: Car injury attorneys can review your health insurance policy, explain terms and conditions, and submit a claim to seek reimbursement for your medical treatments.
• File a claim: Car injury lawyers can help you file a claim to recover reimbursement for any medical expenses, including co-pays, deductibles, and any out-of-pocket expenses.
• Communicate with medical providers: Your car injury lawyer can communicate with medical providers to check that your medical bills are being handled properly and ensure that you are not sued for non-payment.
• Represent you in court: If the insurance companies are refusing to cover the cost of your medical expenses, car injury lawyers can represent you in court and seek a fair resolution to your claim.

Our Car Injury Attorneys Can Help You Recover Compensation for Medical Bills Following a Collision

Finding the right legal team to represent you is essential for you to recover from a car accident injury. The experienced car injury lawyers at Siegfried & Jensen can explain your legal rights and help you recover the cost of medical bills and other losses related to your accident.

Our law firm believes that everyone should have access to legal representation by an experienced car accident lawyer regardless of his or her current financial situation. Thus, Siegfried & Jensen handles all car accident cases on a contingency fee basis.

Your initial consultation is free, and if you choose to retain the legal services, you do not owe us anything unless your case is successful and we recover compensation for you.

Choose a car injury lawyer who is qualified, experienced in handling your type of claim, and committed to providing high-quality representation and client service. Across Utah, we’re stationed in Salt Lake City where we have two offices, Ogden, Orem, St. George, Layton, Logan. Don’t forget to check out our upcoming offices in Saratoga Springs, Payson, and West Valley. In Washington, you can find us in Spokane and in Spokane Valley soon. In Idaho, catch us in Boise and soon expanding to Meridian.

Contact us today by completing our online form or calling us at (801) 845-9000 to schedule a free case review.