Car accidents in West Virginia can result in devastating injuries that be costly to treat. The circumstances surrounding the accident may affect who pays your medical bills.
The person that pays
Up front, you will be the one who will pay the medical bills for your treatment. However, after the emergency is dealt with and you are out of the hospital, you may get reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. If you have good health insurance, they may also reimburse you for a portion of your medical bills.
When you don’t have health insurance
If you don’t have health insurance and are in an accident, you will likely be responsible for the entire bill. If the at-fault driver has insurance, their company may reimburse you for your medical costs.
Filing a lawsuit
Some motor vehicle accidents require a lawsuit for victims to get full reimbursement for their medical bills. This is usually only necessary when the at-fault driver does not have insurance; their insurance company denies the victim’s claim or the injuries are too severe that they go beyond the responsible driver’s insurance policy limit.
If you are in such a situation, you will need to prove to the court without reasonable doubt that the other driver caused the accident and that resulted in your injuries–for example if they were speeding, intoxicated or ran a red light before hitting you.
Both insurance and legal claims require evidence, but lawsuits require an even higher burden of proof, including photos or videos of the scene, witness testimonies and police reports. This is why it is a good idea to collect as much evidence as possible after an accident.
If successful in your suit, the court may order the at-fault driver to pay you for your medical bills as well as any other damages that you incurred as a result of the accident. This could include lost wages, pain and suffering or property damage.
Getting reimbursement for your medical bills after a car accident doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful. Understanding how insurance works and knowing your option can help you get sufficient compensation to help you recover.