If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, you are probably overwhelmed with the steps you need to take next. While recovering from your injuries, you also face the daunting task of paying for unexpected medical bills. When you’re in an accident that’s not your fault, you shouldn’t be responsible for paying your out-of-pocket medical bills. However, how do you ensure the person responsible for your injuries is held accountable for your bills and medical expenses? Whether you’re moving to Connecticut or want to understand how your current coverage works, our auto accident attorney in Middlebury, CT, has prepared this guide to help you learn how to get compensation for the cost of your medical treatment when you’re injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault.
Connecticut At-Fault Insurance System: How it Works
Connecticut is known as an “at-fault” state. With this type of insurance system, you are compensated for your accident-related costs from the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability insurance, which is required for all drivers in Connecticut. Although the driver who caused the accident is ultimately responsible for your medical expenses, they don’t pay them immediately. You’re reimbursed for your medical expenses in your settlement.
According to Connecticut General Statute 14-112, Connecticut drivers must have at least $25,000 per person in bodily injury liability insurance and $50,000 total per accident. You must also have $25,000 worth of property damage insurance. The state also requires $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in uninsured motorist coverage (UM). These are the state’s minimum requirements, but you can purchase insurance plans with higher premiums, which provide more coverage for higher medical costs due to significant injuries. Your UM coverage typically matches your policy limits. Your policy covers medical expenses and other accident-related costs for you, relatives living in the same household, and passengers in the car at the time of the accident.
How is Fault Determined in a CT Accident?
Law enforcement officials typically determine who’s at fault at the accident scene. Police review accident evidence, such as tire marks, vehicle damage, and witness testimony, to decide what caused the accident. As a comparative negligence state, you can only seek damages for your medical expenses after an accident if you are less at fault than the other driver. You cannot seek compensation for damages if you’re found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident. During your case, each person involved is assigned a percentage of fault. Then, your final settlement amount is reduced by the percentage of fault your actions contributed to the accident.
Methods for Compensation After a Car Accident
If the at-fault driver doesn’t pay your medical expenses immediately, who pays for your treatments before you receive a settlement for your car accident in the Waterbury, CT area? Here are the options to cover your medical bills after a car accident while pursuing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance:
MedPay
Medical Payment Coverage, often called MedPay, is an optional insurance coverage all Connecticut insurers must provide. MedPay covers your medical bills and treatments for you and your vehicle passengers, regardless of who’s at fault. MedPay coverage can be added to your current car insurance plan for a relatively low cost, making this coverage the most immediate way to pay your medical bills after an accident. MedPay only covers your accident-related medical expenses, such as emergency transport services, hospital stays, diagnostic scans and tests, prescriptions, and therapies. It doesn’t cover non-medical expenses like lost wages, childcare, and household services. You can add separate Basic Reparations Benefits (BRB) to cover these expenses.
Health Insurance
If you choose not to add MedPay coverage to your car insurance plan, your personal health care plan will be the primary way to pay your medical bills while you wait for a settlement. Your insurance provider will then file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance for compensation for the medical expenses they covered due to the accident. It’s essential to keep detailed records of your office visits and payments to ensure all your medical expenses are covered in your settlement.
Letters of Protection
An alternative method of getting your medical bills covered after an accident while awaiting your settlement is to work with your auto accident attorney in CT to provide Letters of Protection (LOP) to your various medical treatment facilities. LOPs are legal agreements between you and your health care provider, promising to provide payment for services from a future settlement. If you don’t have MedPay coverage or adequate health insurance, LOPs allow you to continue receiving medical treatment without paying large medical bills upfront. LOPs don’t eliminate your medical expenses. Instead, they allow medical facilities to delay your payments until the case is resolved. If you don’t receive a settlement for your case, you are still responsible for making these payments.
What Happens if the At-Fault Driver isn’t Insured?
Connecticut requires all motorists to have at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident of UM coverage. If the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your medical expenses, you will use your own UM coverage to cover your additional expenses. UM insurance also covers expenses if the at-fault driver is unknown, such as a hit-and-run accident. If your medical costs go beyond the at-fault driver’s policy limit and your UM coverage, you may be able to file a personal lawsuit for the additional expenses. This process is complex, so discussing your case with your Middlebury, CT, auto accident attorney is essential.
Moore, O’Brien & Foti: Middlebury CT, Auto Accident Attorneys
Determining how to pay your medical bills when you’re injured is another challenging aspect of dealing with the aftermath of a car accident. That’s why it’s vital to seek the guidance of experienced Connecticut car accident attorneys to help you receive the compensation you’re entitled to for your bills related to the accident. Our New Haven County attorneys at Moore, O’Brien & Foti will help you navigate the complex legal landscape of recovering your expenses after you’re injured in a car accident. Call us today at 203-586-0022 for a free consultation to learn how we can help you on your road to recovery.