Car accidents can be expensive. If you suffered injuries in a car accident that was not your fault, you might be wondering who will pay your medical bills—and when.
In most cases, the at-fault driver’s insurance should cover some or all your medical expenses in a car accident. However, you may need to submit bills to your health insurance in the meantime or pay costs above and beyond what the at-fault party’s insurance will cover. Read on to learn more about determining liability after a car accident, health insurance, and more.
Who Is Financially Responsible In a Car Accident?
Ultimately, the financial responsibility in car accidents falls on the at-fault driver in Connecticut. The driver must use their own liability insurance to cover your expenses following the accident, which may include medical bills, lost wages, vehicle damage, and pain and suffering.
However, it can take months or even years to receive an insurance settlement from the at-fault party’s insurance company. Additionally, the driver’s liability insurance may not cover all your expenses.
When Should I Use My Personal Health Insurance?
There are a few instances in which you may need to turn in medical bills to your personal health insurance company, even if the accident was not your fault.
Medical Expenses Before the Insurance Payout
The at-fault driver’s insurance will likely cover most of your medical expenses after a car accident. However, most liability insurance companies wait until you have completed all medical treatments to initiate a payout. In the meantime, your doctors and pharmacists will begin sending you medical bills and expecting payment.
Many car accident victims turn their medical bills over to their personal health insurance companies while they wait for a payout from the at-fault driver. If you choose to go this route, you may need to pay your health insurance company back with the funds you receive from the at-fault party.
In some cases, you can request that your medical providers defer payment of their bills until you receive your insurance payout from the at-fault driver. However, navigating the deferment process can be tricky. We recommend talking with a car accident attorney about the best way to cover your medical expenses while you wait for an insurance payout.
Medical Expenses Exceeding the Insurance Payout
If the payout from the at-fault driver’s insurance company does not cover all your medical expenses, you may be able to use your personal health insurance to pay for any remaining costs.
In this case, you would still need to pay any deductibles or copays from your insurance provider. You would also need to pay for any costs that your health insurance does not cover.
Even so, you may be able to negotiate with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to pay for your out-of-pocket expenses. Your attorney can help you present a convincing case to the insurer to seek additional compensation to cover your copays and deductibles.
Let Us Negotiate With the At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Company
If you were involved in a car accident that was not your fault, you shouldn’t have to suffer financially to get the medical care you need. At Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers, we have the knowledge and experience necessary to negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance on your behalf and secure adequate funds for your injuries, lost wages, and other expenses.
Contact our experienced auto accident attorneys today for a free consultation.