If An Insurance Company Pays For Damage To My Car, Will It Pay For My Medical Bills?
After a Fort Lauderdale car accident, you will likely have both car repair and medical bills you must pay. Your car insurance company will pay to repair your car. In Florida, your insurer will also pay for at least a portion of your medical bills under the personal injury protection (PIP) portion of your policy. However, you must prove your eligibility for injury-related damages.
If you sustained serious injuries, such as brain or spinal cord damage, your PIP coverage limits may not cover all of your bills. If you have health insurance or Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay), you can also pursue those options for covering your medical bills.
If you do not have health insurance or MedPay, you can file a claim with the other driver’s car insurance if the accident was the other driver’s fault. The attorneys at our firm can help, and we can see you for a free case evaluation.
How Much Will PIP Insurance Pay?
Under Florida law, PIP coverage is mandatory if you own and drive a personal vehicle. The limit to this coverage is $10,000 per person, per incident. However, PIP will not pay the full amount of your medical bills.
PIP will cover 80 percent of your medical bills, up to $10,000, as long as your injuries constituted an emergency medical condition. If your injuries do not qualify as an emergency medical condition, this coverage will only pay $2,500.
In addition to the 20 percent “co-pay” under PIP coverage, the insurance may not begin to pay out on your medical bills until you have met your policy’s deductible.
How Much Of My Bills Will Medpay Cover?
If you carry MedPay coverage as a part of your car insurance, it will pay 20 percent of your co-pay that PIP does not cover. However, the limit on how much of your medical bills this insurance will pay depends on your plan.
How Do I File A PIP Or Medpay Claim?
When you call your car insurance company to make a claim for auto repairs, you should also file a claim for your PIP coverage. If you carry MedPay coverage, you should also request coverage under this policy.
As soon as you receive the forms, please fill them out and return them to the insurer in order to open the claim. Forward all of your bills to the insurance company as you incur them.
Our attorneys can help you navigate this process. We can file your paperwork on time and help provide your insurance company with compelling evidence of your medical costs.
Who Pays The Bills If The Accident Was Not My Fault?
If your accident occurred because of someone else’s negligence, they may be liable for all of your expenses. You can collect these expenses by filing a claim with the other driver’s car insurance. However, you need proof that you suffered a serious injury in the crash.
Our attorneys can prove you meet the legal threshold to file this type of claim.
What If The Insurance Company Is Not Paying My Bills?
Insurance companies–even your own–may attempt to minimize their own liability. One way an insurer can do this is by denying claims. An insurer may assert that you do not need further treatment or that your medical bills are excessive.
Our firm can help you with your claim and, if necessary, file a lawsuit to get an insurance company to pay.
When Should I Get Medical Care After A Car Crash In Florida?
After a collision, you should seek medical attention, regardless of whether you feel injured. You should get care as soon as possible after the accident–within 72 hours at most.
Even if you feel fine, you should still seek medical attention right after your crash.
Why Should I Get Medical Care After A Car Crash?
Getting medical attention immediately after a car crash benefits both your health and, potentially, your claim. That’s because:
You Might Have Internal Injuries You Cannot See Or Feel
Just because you do not feel hurt does not mean you escaped the crash without any physical injuries. Sometimes, internal injuries can take days, weeks, or even months to show symptoms.
During that time, though, your injury could worsen, making it harder, more painful, and more expensive to treat.
It May Help Your Claim For Compensation
If the crash was the other driver’s fault, you can file a claim against their insurance company or a lawsuit and collect compensation. However, for your claim or lawsuit to be successful, you may need proof that:
- You suffered injuries.
- Another party’s actions caused your condition.
- You sought treatment soon after your accident.
The sooner you get medical care after your car wreck, the easier it will be to tie any injuries you have to the crash. A doctor who examines you immediately after the accident, or at least within 72 hours, can offer a definitive opinion about the wreck that caused your injuries.
What Else Should I Do After A Car Accident In Florida?
In addition to seeking immediate medical attention, there are several things you should do after a car crash to benefit your case. You should:
- Write down everything you remember about the crash while it is still fresh in your memory
- Document your injury-related losses
- Refrain from accepting the insurance company’s first offer
- Hire an attorney from our firm right away for legal representation and protection
Our legal team does not get paid until you do, so there is no risk when you work with us.
About Our Auto Accident Firm Serving Florida
Our firm takes on car accident cases like yours regularly, so you can feel confident we can take on your case, too. One of our attorneys will fight hard to recoup your losses–– even if it means litigating your case and pushing for a fair jury verdict.
When you become our client, you’ll be able to rely on us to:
- Handle all legal matters while you manage your well-being
- Schedule any of your important appointments for you
- Assist you in getting your vehicle repaired, if you’d like
- Be available to you anytime you need us via phone or email
- Keep you updated regarding your case as it progresses
Contact Us At The Law Offices Of Anidjar & Levine For More Information
What the insurance company pays after your accident depends on your situation. While insurance may cover the damage to your vehicle, if you suffered serious harm, insurance may not fully cover those expenses.
For more information about your legal options, work with the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine. We offer free case reviews and can start championing your rights now.
