How Am I Going to Pay for These Medical Bills After My Car Wreck?

On This Page

1. What Are My Options for Paying My Medical Bills After a Car Wreck?
2. How Do I Hold Another Driver Liable for My Medical Bills?
3. Can I Get Reimbursement for Serious Injuries and Ongoing Care Costs?
4. How Can I Speak to a Car Accident Attorney About My Case?

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

January 01, 2024

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

No matter who caused your Pennsylvania car accident, you can most likely file a claim to get compensation to pay some of your related medical care costs. Medical bills can add up quickly if you suffered serious and catastrophic injuries. Emergency medical care, surgery, hospitalization, and inpatient rehabilitation or outpatient therapy are all expensive—but necessary—parts of treatment and recovery.

State car insurance laws are complex, and it can be hard to know what your rights and legal options are after a crash. A car accident lawyer from Berger and Green can explain your next steps to try to get the money you need to pay for these medical bills after your car wreck. We can even handle the claims process for you. Call 412-661-1400 today.

What Are My Options for Paying My Medical Bills After a Car Wreck?

In general, there are two ways to recover money to pay your medical bills after a car accident in Pennsylvania:

• File a claim based on your no-fault coverage; and
• File a claim based on the at-fault driver’s auto liability policy.

Because Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault state, every motorist must first turn to their personal injury protection (PIP) policy for help paying their medical bills after a crash. This will pay to cover your medical care and other related expenses, up to the limits of the policy. If you only suffered minor or moderate injuries, this should cover all your outstanding medical bills.

If you have bills above the coverage limit for your no-fault policy, however, you can file a claim holding the driver who caused your crash liable for the rest of your medical expenses. This is true no matter if you opted for full tort or limited tort coverage. Full tort coverage, however, may allow you to recover additional damages as well.

How Do I Hold Another Driver Liable for My Medical Bills?

Before we can win a claim based on the other driver’s auto insurance policy, we need to show they caused the crash and provide evidence of your damages. Proving how an accident occurred and how the at-fault motorist caused it requires a full investigation. This investigation may include:

• Identifying, collecting, and analyzing available evidence;
• Working with accident reconstruction specialists and other experts; and
• Requesting copies of the police report and other documents.

To get a fair payout for your damages, we also have to show the full extent of your injuries and other losses. We will:

• Get copies of your medical records;
• Enlist the help of experts who can explain your injuries and prognosis; and
• Collect documentation of your expenses, including your medical bills, receipts, and other related paperwork.

Once we have this evidence and can build a convincing case on your behalf, we will approach the at-fault driver’s insurance company about a payout. This usually leads to negotiations and a fair settlement offer to cover the rest of your medical bills. If the at-fault driver’s insurer refuses, we can file a personal injury lawsuit and ask a Judge to award you a fair payout to cover your medical expenses.

Can I Get Reimbursement for Serious Injuries and Ongoing Care Costs?

If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury in the accident, the small no-fault policy payout you receive will seem like only a drop in the bucket. You may have hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical debt remaining. In some cases, your family member may require regular home healthcare visits or other ongoing care.

When someone suffers serious injuries in a car crash, they likely qualify for a much larger settlement that includes both current and future medical care expenses. In addition, suffering a qualifying serious injury qualifies as an exception to the limited tort laws.

If the injury in question is permanent, disfiguring, or causes a serious impairment, you may qualify to recover non-economic damages in addition to your medical bills and other expenses. These damages compensate you for your pain and suffering and emotional distress. This additional compensation could help you pay for care and other expenses you run into in the future.

How Can I Speak to a Car Accident Attorney About My Case?

The car accident attorneys from Berger and Green can help you understand your options for paying for your medical expenses after a crash. We offer free case evaluations and will work with you to try to recover the full value you deserve.

Call us today at 412-661-1400 for a complimentary consultation with a member of our team.