If you\u2019ve recently had a crash, you need to know what to expect with car accident medical bills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Between emergency care, surgical procedures, prescriptions, and follow-up appointments, healthcare is frequently the biggest expense following a road accident. Medical bills can quickly reach five- and six-figure sums, and they typically come alongside lost wages and property damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve been injured on the road, you need to start thinking about recovering these costs from the party that caused your collision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are various kinds of healthcare costs that can arise after a collision on the road. The more serious your accident is, the more expensive your bills tend to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Emergency Care and Ambulance Rides<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve been in a serious accident, the first set of bills often comes from emergency services. According to statistics from Verywell Health<\/a>, the average ambulance ride requiring advanced life support in the U.S. costs $1,300. However, the bill can be much higher than this if you need to travel a long distance to get to the hospital from the crash scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hospital stays can quickly get expensive, especially if you require intensive care. An inpatient stay in a Pennsylvania hospital will set you back an average of $2,989 per day, according to the most recent data from KFF<\/a>. This makes it one of the more expensive American states when it comes to hospital stays, though it\u2019s still cheaper than New York ($3,714) and California ($4,337).<\/p>\n\n\n\n A range of surgeries may be necessary in your case, depending on the nature and extent of your injuries. They include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Imaging like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans are crucial for identifying injuries. Unfortunately, they\u2019re also notoriously expensive. Each scan can cost several hundred to several thousand dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rehabilitation and Therapy<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order for you to make the best possible recovery, you may need physical therapy, occupational therapy, or even psychological counseling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Follow-Up Care and Specialist Visits<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sadly, in more serious cases, medical bills will keep rolling in for years. You may require various types of ongoing care, such as checkups with specialists or visits to a pain management clinic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pennsylvania is a no-fault state, meaning your own insurance covers initial medical costs regardless of who caused the accident. This coverage falls under Personal Injury Protection (PIP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Pennsylvania, every driver is required to carry at least $5,000 in PIP coverage. While this provides a safety net, $5,000 is rarely enough to cover significant injuries. If you require greater coverage than this, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party in your case in order to recover it; we cover this in more detail below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your injuries are severe and PIP doesn\u2019t cover all your expenses, you may file a claim against the at-fault driver. Their insurance may pay for medical costs, lost wages, and other damages up to the limits of their policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, your ability to sue may be curtailed by the type of insurance you have. If yours is a \u201climited tort\u201d policy, you may not be allowed to sue for pain and suffering damages, unless your injuries are classified as \u201cserious.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re not sure how these rules will apply in your case, you should consider scheduling a free initial consultation<\/a> with a Philadelphia car accident attorney.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the other driver doesn\u2019t have enough insurance\u2014or any at all\u2014your own uninsured\/underinsured motorist (UM\/UIM) coverage can step in. This optional coverage is invaluable when you\u2019re dealing with an at-fault driver who lacks adequate insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHospital Stays<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Surgeries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Diagnostic Tests<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Filing a Claim Against the At-Fault Driver<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Uninsured\/Underinsured Motorist Coverage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Role of a Personal Injury Attorney<\/h2>\n\n\n\n