One of the most common questions any auto accident lawyer in Delaware gets concerns the high costs sustained in car accidents. After a car collision, people who have been injured are often worried about their medical bills. Medical expenses can be substantial, and very often injured parties do not see any insurance benefits or money right away. Since Delaware is an at-fault state, the at-fault driver has to be established, and this can take time. Insurance claims and other options may not be resolved right away, even if medical bills are due immediately.

Who Has to Pay My Medical Bills After a Car Collision in Delaware?

The short answer to this complex question is that if you are injured in a car accident, you are ultimately responsible for your medical bills, and it is your responsibility to ensure your bills are paid. If you need a hospital stay, surgery or other treatment, the hospital or medical facility will ask you to pay for those bills. Even if you were not at fault in the crash, the at-fault driver would not be responsible for your ongoing medical costs.

There is good news, however, is you have a number of options if you have been in a car accident in Newark, Wilmington or any other Delaware city.

What is the required minimum of personal injury protection in Delaware?

Cars registered in Delaware are required to have a minimum $15,000.00 of personal injury protection, which is also known as PIP or no-fault coverage. This covers medical bills and lost wages. If you are in a car collision, your own PIP company is the first source you have to turn to. Your PIP company is required to act in good faith and pay all necessary and reasonable bills covered by the policy, up to the policy limit. Your PIP company will seek subrogation reimbursement against the other driver’s insurance carrier.

What happens if I exhaust my PIP Policy?

If you have exhausted your PIP policy, you may have the option of submitting health care bills to your health care insurance provider. Your health care provider may also submit your bills to your health insurance.

Your health insurance company, Medicare or Medicaid can seek reimbursement from any recovery you obtain from the defendant driver.

If you were injured in a car collision while working, you may have a workers’ compensation claim. If you have bills related to your crash that exceed your PIP coverage amount or if you have out-of-pocket medical bills, you may be able to seek recovery through a third-party claim.

Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer in Newark, DE, Right Away

If you sustain an injury in a car accident, get in touch with an attorney in Wilmington, DE or your Delaware community immediately. No matter how you choose to pay your medical bills, a lawyer can help you sort through the options. If you get injured, contact Doroshow, Pasquale, Krawitz, and Bhaya today for a consultation to ensure you have the answers you need.