If you were injured in a car accident that was somebody else's fault, you might wonder who is going to pay for your medical treatment expenses.
In this article, we will be discussing how to get your medical bills following an injury that was the result of another's negligence.
In the state of Florida, all insurance policies are mandated to include no-fault insurance. As such, all drivers must provide their own coverage for medical bills in case of an accident.
For any accident-related payments, your no-fault insurance is the primary source. In Florida, all drivers must hold Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage of at least $10,000 in order to be legally driving on roads. As per the state's personal injury laws, PIP will supply 80% of medical bills and 60% of lost wages - regardless of who was responsible for a crash.
Benefits of Florida’s No-Fault Laws
The structure of PIP insurance coverage means that you won't have to determine liability for most car accidents. Whether the crash was caused by someone else or yourself, your PIP coverage will cover 80% of your medical expenses up to $10,000 in total.
Besides the standard laws, a few other legal regulations can have an effect on who is responsible for your medical expenses after you’re involved in an incident with another vehicle in Florida that wasn't your fault. These include:
- If you have suffered severe trauma
- If you have been permanently injured
- If the accident causes the death of another person
- If the cost of your medical treatment surpasses $10,000
Whether you are able to cover the remaining medical bills depends on any additional insurance coverage you have, your own health insurance policy, and whether or not the driver responsible for the accident has appropriate coverage.
Other Entities That Could Be Held Liable for Your Medical Bills
If the medical expenses you incurred surpass your no-fault insurance policy limits, consider filing additional claims through:
- Other car insurance options: While not mandatory under Florida law, extra forms of automobile coverage such as bodily harm liability and uninsured motorist protection can pay for accident-related injuries. Investing in these policies may provide lucrative returns down the line—so don't miss out!
- Your health insurance provider: If your medical bills surpass the amount of coverage provided by Personal Injury Protection (PIP), you may be eligible for additional financial aid from your health insurer. This could include insurance from employers, Medicare, and Medicaid--all state-run programs that provide vital assistance to those in need.
- Workers’ compensation: If your injury was a consequence of your job, then the workers' compensation insurance company must be held accountable for all medical fees. You don't need to use up any PIP coverage, pay deductibles or copays, nor will you have to pay for travel expenses between doctor's appointments..
- The at-fault driver’s insurer: When all your coverage has been used up, consider filing an insurance claim with the other driver's provider.
- The other driver's employer: If the other driver was on duty at the time of the accident, their employer may be held responsible for negligence. For instance, if a company forced an employee to work longer than legally allowed or neglected to provide adequate training for their drivers, they can face accountability and could owe you medical bills plus additional damages due to your car crash that wasn’t caused by you.
- Car manufacturer: Depending on the particulars of your situation, a third-party may be responsible for covering your medical expenses. For instance, if you suffer injuries due to a tire blowout and it is revealed that the manufacturer was aware of the defective product yet allowed it to stay in circulation, then they can be held liable.
Getting Help After an Accident
If you've been in an accident, it might be a good idea to talk to a lawyer to help you make the responsible party cover your medical bills. For more information about hiring the best car accident lawyer that works for your situation, look no further than Beharry Law. We are here to help you get the compensation you deserve.