The short answer is that the person whose negligence caused your accident is ultimately responsible for your medical expenses, including your hospital bills. However, they will not be writing you a check while you are still in the hospital. In Florida, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance is typically the first source of coverage after a car accident or truck accident. From there, the at-fault party’s liability insurance, your health insurance, and eventually a settlement or jury verdict may come into play, depending on the facts of your case.
Determining how each of these layers works in your particular circumstances can help you avoid unexpected bills and make smarter decisions as your case moves forward.
Contact a Fort Myers personal injury attorney today to pursue compensation — call (239) 277-0005.
Who Pays Hospital Bills After an Accident?
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PIP Coverage Comes First in Florida
Florida is a no-fault state, which means your own auto insurance policy is the first place to turn after a motor vehicle accident. Per Florida Statutes 627.736, your PIP coverage will pay up to $10,000 toward your medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who caused the crash.
There are a few important details to keep in mind about PIP:
- It covers 80% of your medical bills and 60% of your lost income, up to the $10,000 policy limit
- You must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident to qualify for benefits
- If a doctor determines that you do not have an emergency medical condition, your PIP benefits may be capped at $2,500
PIP can help cover your immediate costs, but $10,000 does not go very far for catastrophic injuries. That is where other sources of payment come into the picture.
Health Insurance and Medical Payments Coverage
If your PIP benefits run out and your case has not settled yet, your health insurance can step in to cover ongoing treatment. Many accident victims hesitate to use their health insurance because they feel the at-fault party should be paying. While that is true in the long run, your health insurer can help bridge the gap in the meantime.
If you carry Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage on your auto policy, that is another option. MedPay pays for accident-related medical expenses regardless of fault and works alongside your PIP coverage. Not every Florida driver carries MedPay, so check the terms of your coverage to confirm what you have.
Keep in mind that if your health insurer pays for treatment related to the accident, it may have a right to seek reimbursement from your settlement through a process called subrogation. A car accident attorney in Fort Myers can help protect your interests through this process.
Recovering Medical Costs From the At-Fault Party
If your injuries are serious enough to meet Florida’s serious injury threshold or if another exception applies, you can step outside the no-fault system and file a claim against the person who caused the accident. This is where you can pursue full compensation for all of your medical bills, both past and future, along with other economic and non-economic damages like lost wages and pain and suffering.
The at-fault party’s liability insurance is the primary target in these cases. If their policy limits are not enough to cover your losses, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may fill the gap. In general, an experienced attorney can advise you on how best to proceed given the specific facts of your case.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Florida Personal Injury Attorney
Medical bills after an accident can add up fast, and figuring out who is responsible for paying them is not always simple. Reach out to Garvin Injury Law today to get trusted legal advice and help with your case at (239) 277-0005.
Our personal injury lawyers offer a free consultation and work on contingency, so you only pay attorney’s fees if your case is successful.