Submitted by Squash on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 09:25
I have a question for you about medical bills after a car accident in Massachusetts and who is supposed to pay them. I was riding in my sister's car and we were in an accident. I'm sure the other party ran a red light but nobody has told me yet who was at fault. Anyway I've got some back and neck pain still and I had to go to the emergency room after the accident. So now I've got some pretty big bills coming (haven't seen them yet) and I need to know what to do with them. Who will pay the bills?
Medical bills after car accident
Under Massachusetts law, the auto insurance company that issued the PIP (personal injury protection) insurance on the car you were in at the time of the accident will pay the first $2000.00 of your "reasonable and necessary medical bills", regardless of who was at fault. In other situations where the injured party was not in a car, like when a pedestrian or a cyclist is hit and injured, the insurance company that insures the vehicle that struck the pedestrian or cyclist will pay $2000.00 of the reasonable and necessary medical bills incurred by the injured party.
From that point, any medical bills beyond $2000.00 must be submitted to your private health insurance company for payment. When the health insurance coverage is drained, or if the injured party does not have health insurance coverage, then the PIP insurer remains on the hook for up $8000.00 per individual claimant.
I'm not clear on whether you have hired a personal injury attorney yet. But many PI attorneys will have their staff manage this aspect of the case and will submit your medical bills to the appropriate insurer (PIP or health) for payment. If you plan on hiring a personal injury attorney, ask her if her office offers this type of assistance. Good luck.
Does the lawyer charge a fee
Does the lawyer charge a fee to manage the PIP/Insurance payments? I understand they take a fee if there's a suit filed and there's a settlement but I've never heard of them 'managing' the initial PIP payments.
It does get tricky but most MVA insurance companies help people through it. And the doctor's office staff does a good job too if they have accepted assignment, which most do.