Surprised my a high emergency room bill after your car accident? Many people who get hurt in a motor vehicle crash in Florida often head to the emergency room to get medical care for their injuries. They are also surprised when they begin getting many, usually very costly, emergency room bills. The expenses for medical care, particularly when intensive care units and emergency rooms are involved, could be extremely expensive, even for basic medical care.
Fortunately, your auto insurance coverage, specifically your PIP (personal injury protection) coverage, will pay for an emergency room bill following a motor vehicle accident.
How Much Of My Emergency Room Bill Will Be Paid By PIP?
Regardless of which party’s actions caused the car crash, your PIP coverage must cover 80% of all necessary medical bills incurred due to covered injuries. These include emergency services. It’s also crucial to note that for PIP coverage to cover your medical treatment, you must receive the initial treatment within 14 days of your accident. Likewise, there’s a $2,500 cap on non-emergency medical care.
If a qualified healthcare professional determines that you sustained emergency medical injuries, then reimbursement for all care and services will be up to $10,000. This is true unless you have a higher PIP limit.
Coverage For Reasonable Replacement Services
You’re also entitled to 100% coverage for reasonable replacement services. These replacement services can include anything from yard work to cooking and cleaning. If it’s an essential household task that you can no longer perform due to your injuries, then it is included in your coverage.
Expenses related to healthcare travel, including doctor appointments and therapies, are also covered. Additionally, 60% of lost earnings can be included in some cases. A $5,000 death benefit is also included.
Who Does PIP Coverage Cover?
PIP coverage covers you and any family members living in your house. Also, it covers any passengers who don’t have a vehicle and other individuals who drive your vehicle with your consent. You should also know that you’re entitled to PIP benefits if you’ve been subjected to acts of violence while driving, such as injuries from carjacking or road rage.
What If My Losses Exceed My PIP Benefits?
You can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recover compensation for your medical costs and related economic losses if you exhaust your PIP limits. But, you cannot sue for pain and suffering and related non-economic losses unless your injuries meet specific thresholds and conditions. These conditions include the following:
- Significant disability
- Permanent injury
- Significant disfigurement
- Death
An experienced Tampa car accident attorney can tell how much your compensation is worth. Moreover, they can ensure that you receive compensation that will cover all your damages.
Consult With A Skilled Tampa Car Accident Attorney Now About Your Emergency Room Bill
Keep in mind that auto insurance providers will try to adjust, reduce, or deny benefits to protect their own interests. Seeking advice from an attorney who can review your policy and establish liability for the accident can help get all your medical expenses covered, including your emergency room bill.
To find out more about your legal options moving forward, contact Hancock Injury Attorneys. You can set up a free evaluation of your case with our Tampa car accident attorney by calling 813-915-1110. Or, you can do so by filling out our online form.