How Medical Expenses are Paid After an Accident

Paying for Medical Bills Post-Accident

Many plaintiffs wonder how they will pay for medical care after an accident. In general, most of your medical expenses incurred directly as a result of your accident should be covered by one or more sources. Initially, these might include any no-fault insurance or personal injury protection (PIP) coverage available to you, as some states’ vehicle insurance policies have these inclusions. Afterward, health insurance, worker’s compensation, and uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance may come into play.

Understanding the specifics of your own insurance coverage and state laws is key to navigating this challenging time. However, it’s important to know that each accident is unique, as are the related expenses and payment methods.

For cases with extensive, ongoing care, or when fault is contested, legal funding options exist to help cover costs until a fair settlement is reached. At Uplift Legal Funding, we are here to provide access to such funding to ease the burden of medical costs related to your accident.

No-Fault Coverage

No-fault coverage through your own insurer pays your medical bills regardless of which party is at fault. There are three main types of no-fault coverage that typically apply, workers’ compensation coverage, no-fault auto insurance, and medical payments coverage.

No-Fault Auto Insurance

The following states require no-fault auto accident insurance. No-fault auto insurance covers expenses up to a certain threshold. In the case of serious injury, plaintiffs can make a claim against the 3rd party as well.

• Florida
• Hawaii
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• New Jersey
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania
• Utah

Learn more about no-fault auto insurance here.

Workers’ Compensation

If you were injured on the job, workers’ compensation insurance usually pays for your medical bills. However, not all states require employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance.

If you were injured as a result of a third-party’s negligence, the workers’ comp insurance company will recoup its costs from the at-fault party.

{Learn More}: Can I Get A Loan While On Workers Comp?

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)

PIP and MedPay are types of insurance that cover medical expenses while you recover from your injuries. Much like no-fault, this insurance also covers your expenses, regardless of who is at fault.

MedPay is optional in most states. PIP however is required in many states:

• Delaware
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Dakota
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Utah

Personal Health Insurance

If none of the above apply, your personal health insurance will foot the bill for your injuries. You might be responsible for copays and some other expenses while your case settles.

At the end of your case, your health insurance is repaid from the proceeds of your settlement.

Letter of Protection

If you do not qualify for any no-fault coverage and you do not have any sort of health insurance, your attorney can sometimes issue a letter of protection to medical providers. This means that your attorney is basically guaranteeing medical providers repayment from your settlement if your case is successful.

Learn More About Auto Accident Lawsuits

We love helping plaintiffs get informed about their claims. Learn more about your car accident lawsuit with this accident legal claim FAQ.

Uplift Legal Funding

Uplift provides personal injury loans that can help with living expenses or any medical expenses not covered by the above. Apply online in minutes, or call us today at (800) 385-3660.