Car accidents can be financially devastating. After an ambulance ride, the last thing you need to think about is how you can afford transportation to the hospital. We strongly encourage you to reach out to a car accident lawyer in Georgia who can help you wade through this process.
Paying the Bills
Suppose you were in a car crash, transported to the hospital in the back of an ambulance, surrounded by an EMS team administering care. Likely all you can think about is, “Who is going to pay for this?”
Because Georgia is an at-fault state, the short answer is the driver who is found at fault. Georgia’s system falls under a traditional fault-based classification which means whoever’s negligence caused the crash is financially responsible for compensating for vehicle damage, injuries, and any other expenses that may arise because of the wreck. That includes an accident victim’s medical bill, such as ambulatory services.
Once it has been proven that the negligence of a driver resulted in a collision, the at-fault driver’s car insurance company should take care of the losses of everyone impacted by the crash or until the driver’s liability coverage runs over its limits. In Georgia, the medical expenses that insurances typically may include:
- Ambulance transportation
- Chiropractic care
- Emergency room visits
- Follow-up care
- Future medical treatments
- In-patient hospital stays
- Lab tests
- Medical supplies
- Medications
- Ongoing doctor appointments
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Surgeries
Get the strong arm
Big Bills Keep on Coming
Initially, the injured victim in a car crash is responsible for paying the resulting medical bills. Eventually, the victim should be paid back by the underlying insurance claim or from the settlement of a resolved personal injury lawsuit with an at-fault driver. A couple of exceptions to Georgia’s fault system are:
- Medical bills that trigger med pay insurance, so bills are covered regardless of who is at fault
- Vehicle crashes covered by workers’ compensation claims
A claim managed by one of these coverages requires medical bills to be submitted as soon as the medical providers issue their bills. These are considered rolling claims and are usually paid until coverage reaches its limits.
At-fault drivers or their insurers are not required by law to participate in rolling claims and continue to make ongoing payments. Most personal injury cases end in settlements before lawsuits are filed or trial is scheduled. However, if a Georgia court finds someone at fault, they will have to pay all the damages accrued from the crash and its aftermath.
Keeping the Right Coverage
Personal injury protection insurance or PIP coverage is not required for Georgia drivers, but it offers a safety net when paired with the state’s mandatory auto insurance. Additional PIP coverage provides a fixed amount of funds to be used for medical expenses and lost wages after a crash. Typically, drivers carry at least $10,000 of additional protection.
Even with minor injuries, the ongoing treatment can result in a pile of medical bills. The limits of personal injury insurance can quickly be exceeded, and PIP coverage minimums can be used up in a snap.
If the medical care needed exceeds the limits of PIP coverage, healthcare insurance often covers any further medical care or procedures that may be necessary. After this, it becomes a passing of the payment baton: medical professionals charge an individual’s health insurance, then the health insurance seeks reimbursement from PIP coverage. Afterward, they all seek repayment from the at-fault driver’s insurance company or a personal injury settlement.
Health Savings
Health savings accounts are also an option to pay for medical services. The injured party has access to funds reserved to take care of treatment. In some instances, employers contribute to the employee’s health savings account.
Having access to these funds can really help when those large medical bills roll in.
Medical Liens
On some occasions, when the cost of medical care outweighs what insurance limits can cover, healthcare providers will put an accident victim’s medical bills on hold in the form of medical or hospital liens on the eventual settlement or verdict from a personal injury claim.
After a lien letter is signed, crash victims are free from paying medical bills at the time of service. However, this also permits medical providers to recover any outstanding bills when the personal injury case is decided.
Collecting Damages Such as Ambulance Bills
The main point to be made in any car crash case is that property was damaged, and injuries were suffered. Now, the party responsible for that damage and injuries needs to compensate the injured parties for what was lost.
This compensation depends on the value of the damaged property and the severity of the injuries. It also depends on how blame is allocated between all of the parties involved. Our lawyers can explain what you should collect to ensure you are compensated for damages like:
- Ambulance and helicopter transport fees
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
The Two Most Crucial Times After a Car Crash, per EMS
When a car crash happens and emergency medical services (EMS) are dispatched, there are two concepts that ambulance crews adhere to:
- The Platinum 10 Minutes – This axiom dictates that after emergency medical personnel arrive at the scene of an accident, they should take no more than 10 minutes to stabilize the injured and transport them to a trauma center for medical attention.
- The Golden Hour – This is the 60 minutes immediately following a person suffering a traumatic injury. If the injured person receives medical or surgical treatment during this period, it offers the best chance of survival or preventing long-term damage.
A recent Gallup Poll found that 25% of Americans have delayed medical treatment for a serious injury or illness because of the cost of care. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports approximately 100 million Americans, or 41% of the population, have medical debt. It is no wonder victims of car crashes refuse ambulance transport to a hospital with hopes of avoiding additional medical bills.
However, if you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, it is important to get medical treatment as soon as possible. Some injuries can develop slowly, so getting even minor injuries checked out can be essential. A skilled Atlanta personal injury lawyer will tell you that getting your injuries treated and keeping detailed records of medical bills and doctor’s notes can make a world of difference when other parties, like insurance companies, get involved later on.
Speak to an Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer for Free
If you were involved in an accident, contact the experienced Georgia car accident attorneys at John Foy & Associates as soon as possible. We can analyze your case and help you decide the strength of your claim and how to proceed.
For a free consultation, contact us online to schedule a meeting today.
(404) 400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
