If you were in an accident that resulted in adverse injuries, you probably have huge medical bills to settle. Fortunately, you may have a right to recover the cost of your medical care and other losses from the liable party who caused the accident. However, when it comes to medical bills and Virginia benefits, several crucial things come into play that could impact your compensation.
The experienced personal injury lawyers from Renfro & Renfro, PLLC explain the most crucial things to know regarding who pays for medical bills after an accident in Virginia and the benefits you may be entitled to. We can help fight for your rights and ensure you obtain fair compensation to cover your medical and other expenses.
5 Most Crucial Things to Know About Medical Bills in Virginia
The Insurance Company Pays Only if the Driver Is at Fault
Under the state law Virginia Code Section 46.2-706, all car owners are required to carry auto liability insurance. If the at-fault driver has auto liability, they probably will not have to pay out of pocket for your medical expenses. Instead, their insurance will cover your injury-related medical expenses. Usually, the at-fault driver’s policy provides at least $25,000 to settle bodily injury claims, including medical bills. However, it is worth remembering the insurance company will only pay for medical bills from liability coverage when a driver is at fault. This means that you need to prove the policyholder is responsible for the accident and your injuries before accessing the at-fault driver’s auto liability insurance.
You Can Use Your Insurance if the Driver Is Uninsured
You could be wondering who will pay for the medical bills if the driver is uninsured or when a policy only pays for a portion of your expenses. In such a scenario, you can use your auto liability insurance to provide coverage for your medical bills and to compensate you for your injuries. Usually, insurance plans in Virginia include coverage for injuries caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers. Unless you opted out of it when you first purchased your insurance, the coverage would gather for your medical bills when the at-fault party is unable to. Your insurance carrier will not offer direct payment for your medical bills unless you purchased coverage for medical payments, but your carrier may offer you a settlement to resolve the claim, unless they dispute your claim.
Contributory Negligence Laws Could Affect the Ability To Receive Compensation
Virginia enforces contributory negligence laws in accident claims. If it is found that you somehow contributed to the accident that caused your injuries, you may be barred from receiving compensation for your medical bills from the other driver’s insurance plan.
Contributing even 1% for an accident can prevent you from recouping medical expenses related to your injuries from the liable party’s insurance company. Unfortunately, many insurers maximize this law to find a way to blame the victim and avoid paying any claims. The only way to get the payment you deserve after an accident is to work with an experienced attorney.
You Purchase Med-Pay on Your Auto Policy
In Virginia, one is allowed to purchase an additional medical payment coverage called Med-Pay on their auto policies. The policy covers the cost of medical bills for auto-related crashes up to the coverage limits, regardless of whether you were walking, driving, biking, or riding as a passenger when the crash happened. Med-Pay also pays for your medical bills regardless of whether you are at fault for the crash or not.
An Attorney Can Negotiate With Insurers and Health Providers
As mentioned earlier, an insurance company will go out of its way to prevent you from getting the compensation you need to pay for your accident-related medical bills. They may ambush you with leading questions in a bid to trick you into admitting liability. Do not talk to insurers or agree to any settlement before speaking with an attorney. An experienced personal injury lawyer can handle all your communications with insurance companies. They can help negotiate a settlement that covers all your losses, including medical bills. Additionally, if you receive high medical bills you cannot afford, your attorney can help negotiate with healthcare providers. Many providers are open to negotiating payment plans or reducing bills based on your financial situation.
Contact an Experienced Virginia Personal Injury Attorney
An accident-related injury can generate mountains of medical bills and other expenses. The good news is you can recover compensation from the at-fault party for your medical costs. However, Virginia strictly observes contributory negligence laws, meaning you must not have any fault for the accident to receive any compensation for your medical bills. This gives potentially at-fault driver’s insurers a lot of opportunities to question your role in the crash in an attempt to shift blame.
If you or a loved one has suffered accident-related injuries in Richmond, Virginia, the experienced attorneys from Renfro & Renfro, PLLC can help fight for your rights. We will gather evidence to determine the at-fault party and negotiate with the insurance for maximum compensation. Schedule a free consultation today by calling (804) 601-4433 or contacting us online.
