When You Can’t Afford Medical Treatment After a Car Accident
After a car accident, you may be dealing with various injuries. Depending on the severity of the injuries, you may also incur medical bills from multiple healthcare providers. There may be ambulance bills, hospital bills, consultations with specialists, surgeries, prescriptions, and more. Add all this up, and you are looking at possibly tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills.
If you have health insurance, it should cover many of these expenses. But what happens if you don’t and you cannot afford medical treatment? You should never skip treatment simply because you cannot afford it. The amount of compensation you can receive for your claim depends on how severely you were injured. You need to have medical records to support your injuries, or your claim may be limited or denied.
There are many options to consider when it comes to paying for medical care. And if someone else were responsible for your injuries, they would be on the hook for paying for your care anyway. If you cannot afford medical treatment, our accident attorneys in Buffalo, NY, can help.
Understanding the No-Fault Accident System
New York is a no-fault state, so each driver must file a claim with their own insurance company for injuries sustained in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. However, there is one exception. If a driver suffers a “serious injury,” they may be able to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver for damages that exceed the no-fault coverage. Examples of “serious injuries” include death, dismemberment, significant disfigurement, and fractures.
Responsibility of the Insurance Company
In a car accident, the at-fault insurance company refers to the insurance provider of the driver who is determined to be responsible for causing the accident. The at-fault driver’s insurance company is typically responsible for covering the damages incurred by the other party involved in the accident. This includes medical expenses.
What is MedPay?
Medical Payment Coverage, also known as MedPay, is an optional automobile insurance coverage in New York. It pays up to $10,000 per person for medical, dental, and funeral expenses for both the insured driver and passengers of a vehicle involved in an accident. The coverage is available regardless of fault but pays for medical expenses only.
Health Insurance Options in Buffalo, NY
You also have the option to submit your medical treatment costs to your health insurance provider. After you meet your plan’s deductible or pay any required copay, the insurer will decide how much to cover. They will assess the treatment and determine what portion of the charges they consider reasonable and eligible for coverage.
What About Third-Party Liability
Third-party liability refers to the legal responsibility of the at-fault driver to compensate for the injuries or damages caused to the injured party. The injured party can file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company to seek compensation for their medical bills and other damages caused by the accident.
Get the Legal and Medical Support You Need After a Car Accident
Medical bills can be overwhelming, but you have options for getting care, regardless of whether you have insurance. Avoiding treatment can seriously hurt your injury claim, so don’t wait to get help.
Buffalo car accident lawyer Steve Foley can guide you through the legal process and connect you with resources to ensure you receive the medical care you need. He will fight to recover full compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and future care. You have just three years to file a claim, so act now. To schedule a consultation, contact us via (716) 575-3236 or online here.