The U.S. has an average of 6 million car accidents per year. Additionally, about 3 million people are injured every year in these accidents. And, of these 3 million, about 2 million passengers sustain permanent injuries.

Because car accident injuries and the medical bills that inevitably result from them are so common and serious, we at the offices of Shyam Purswani, MD, have compiled this helpful guide to understanding how insurance coverage works when it comes to motor vehicle accidents.

How insurance liability works

When it comes to medical costs of car insurance injuries, the responsibility for compensating medical bills falls on the driver who was liable for the accident.

Because injuries in a car accident are often life-threatening, when you are in an accident, you generally receive medical care right away, as the top priority lies in keeping you alive and immediately treating chronic injuries. So, you usually won’t get your bills until later.

The costs will be covered by your health insurance, and will include any deductible, or amount that you’re responsible for before your medical coverage kicks in. If the accident was caused by you, you’re then responsible for what your health insurance or your car insurance doesn’t cover.

When the accident is the other driver’s fault

In cases where the accident was caused by the other driver, then they are responsible for covering the cost of your medical bills. More specifically, the liability or bodily injury part of their insurance will cover your medical bills up to their policy limits.

In this instance, you’d need to file a third-party claim through the other driver’s insurance. You can also file a claim with your own car insurance company and then proceed to let the two insurers sort the matter out among themselves.

When you don’t have insurance

If you don’t have insurance, need to file a personal injury lawsuit, or have any trouble getting your bills covered, you’ll want to consult a personal injury attorney. They can help you consider your options and get compensation.

Start treating your auto injury today

At the offices of Shyam Purswani, MD, we pride ourselves on our expertise in treating personal injuries. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you’ll want to make an appointment with us, where we can focus on treating your injuries and providing you with a comprehensive plan for pain relief and management. Call us or set up an appointment right on our website today.