Injuries from a car accident can range from minor to severe or even life-threatening. No matter the level of injury, if you are injured in a car accident, it’s always best to get medical attention. The best practice to follow is to go to the ER following a car accident no matter how minor or major your injuries are. (Of course, if you have suffered major injuries, in all likelihood, you will be taken in an ambulance to the ER.) Documenting your injuries at the ER, both minor and major, from head-to-toe, could prove vital to the ultimate success of your bodily injury claim.
You should not avoid getting the medical attention you need for fear of the bills that will follow, especially if your injuries are a result of an accident that is not your fault.
Determining Responsibility for ER Bills from a Car Accident
In the State of Pennsylvania, every auto insurance policy must include some level of “first party medical benefits,” which are intended to pay for medical treatment related to an auto-accident regardless of fault. The minimum in Pennsylvania is $5,000.00. That means that every auto insurance policy in Pennsylvania will have at least $5,000.00 to cover initial medical expenses following an accident. These are “no-fault” benefits, which means that if you are struck by another driver or if you are the at-fault driver you are still entitled to this coverage.
Unfortunately, however, $5,000.00 may not be enough to cover your medical expenses, even for an initial ER visit, depending on the severity of the injuries (as an aside, Georgelis, Larsen & Sabatino Injury Law Firm, P.C. recommends having at least $50,000.00 in first-party medical benefits through your auto insurance policy). When you have unpaid medical expenses, or your health insurance company is seeking reimbursement from bills it paid related to a motor vehicle accident caused by another, it most likely will be necessary to make a claim against the other driver for damages. That is why it is important to contact an experienced and court-tested attorney as soon as possible following an auto accident so that you understand what your rights and responsibilities are.
Filing a Claim for ER Bill Payments after a Car Accident
With any car accident, there are key things that you need to do immediately to help any later claims. Among them, it’s important that you document all medical issues that you experience and catalog any and all expenses.
Car accident expenses could include:
- Ambulance transport
- ER visit
- Tests or screenings conducted in the ER
- Follow up doctor’s appointments
- Prescriptions
- Medical devices or supports
- Specialist appointments
In order to file a claim to fight for compensation, you need to make sure that you’ve reported the accident to the police and your insurance company, and then you need to call an attorney.
Yes, your insurance carrier is supposed to validate any rational claims and help you get compensation, but there is no guarantee that this will happen or that you’ll be given the full compensation you are entitled to. Additionally, the insurance company of the at-fault driver is never your friend and always looking out for its own insured. Therefore, you should never speak with an insurance representative for another driver without first consulting a seasoned injury and accident attorney.
An experienced Lancaster County personal injury lawyer can work with you to make sure that your claim is well established and guide you on what you need to do throughout the process. Call 1-800-HURT-NOW for a free consultation with one of our top attorneys or check out more of our tips on what to do if you are involved in a car accident.
