Who Pays Passengers' Medical Bills in A Car Accident?

Passengers can get injured in car accidents in various ways. However, passenger injuries often vary depending on the nature and severity of the collision. Here are common ways passengers may sustain injuries:

• Direct impact: Passengers are at risk of injury when their vehicle collides with another object vehicle or stationary object. The force of the impact can lead to broken bones, head trauma, and internal injuries.
• Whiplash: A rear-end collision can cause a passenger's head and neck to snap forward and backward suddenly. This can lead to neck pain, headaches, and soft tissue injuries in the neck.
• Airbag deployment: While airbags are designed to save lives, their deployment can be forceful. Passengers can sustain facial lacerations, broken bones, or eye injuries during airbag deployment.
• Seat belt injuries: While seat belts save lives, they can also cause injuries in a collision. That includes chest and abdominal trauma or a broken collarbone.
• Broken glass: Shattered windows and windshields can produce flying glass shards. These may cause cuts, lacerations, and eye injuries to passengers.
• Objects inside the vehicle: Loose items or objects inside the vehicle can become projectiles. These can potentially cause blunt force injuries to passengers.
• Side-impact collisions: Passengers on the side of the vehicle that is struck in a T-bone or side-impact collision are at increased risk of injury. 
• Rollover accidents: In rollover accidents, passengers can be tossed around inside the vehicle or ejected. 
• Smoke or fire: In some cases, car accidents can lead to fires or smoke inhalation injuries. These injuries can be severe and life-threatening.

The responsibility for paying a passenger's medical bills in a car accident typically depends on the circumstances and the insurance coverage. Below are the most common options for paying medical costs and other damages after a crash.

At-fault driver's liability insurance

The at-fault driver’s liability insurance should cover your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. This applies whether the at-fault driver was operating another vehicle or the one you were riding in. 

This coverage typically includes bodily injury liability insurance, which pays for your injuries. To get compensated, you would need to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. But getting full compensation isn’t as simple as it sounds.

Insurance companies don’t like to lose money. They may argue that your injuries weren’t crash-related, or they’ll try to convince you to accept a lowball settlement. That’s why you’ll need an experienced car accident attorney to handle all negotiations, communications, and legal proceedings for you.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage

The at-fault driver may not have insurance or might carry insufficient coverage. The good news is that you can still recover damages if you have UM/UIM coverage. This coverage is designed to provide compensation when the at-fault party is uninsured or underinsured. It can also pay for damages if you’re injured in a hit-and-run accident where the at-fault driver isn’t identified.
Some states require UM/UIM unless you reject it in writing. Even if your state doesn’t require it, it’s recommended that you add it to your car insurance policy (if you have one). 

No-fault insurance

In some states with no-fault insurance systems, you may turn to your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage to pay for medical bills. No-fault systems are designed to streamline the claims process and ensure that you receive compensation promptly.

Additionally, you can use MedPay (if you have it), which is an optional add-on if you have car insurance. File a MedPay claim with your own auto insurance carrier, which will cover your medical expenses, regardless of fault, up to the policy limit.

When filing a PIP or MedPay claim, provide all required documentation, such as medical bills and records. It also helps to consult with a car accident attorney to explore your legal options and understand your rights.

Health insurance

If you have health insurance, it can be used to cover some medical expenses resulting from a car accident. Be prepared to pay any deductibles, co-pays, or out-of-pocket expenses as specified by your health insurance policy.

If you’re a passenger injured in a crash, get a Law.com verified Premier Car Accident Attorney on your side. They can ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process. Plus, they can investigate your crash and negotiate for the compensation you deserve.

Premier Attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no fees unless they win your case. To get started, contact a lawyer near you and set up a free consultation.