After a car accident, it’s crucial to seek medical attention right away. Of course, healthcare isn’t cheap. Even a minor injury can result in thousands in medical bills.
The average cost of an overnight hospital stay is $3,025 in the U.S. and $2,745 in Minnesota, with an average hospital stay of 4.5 days. An ambulance ride can cost up to $1,000 or more. This doesn’t even include follow-up care, surgery, doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, and other medical bills.
As the bills start to pile up, you may feel overwhelmed, wondering how they will get paid and what to do if you need additional care. Here’s how to handle your medical bills during the claims process.
Minnesota’s No-Fault Insurance and PIP Coverage
Minnesota is a no-fault insurance state. After an accident, your own insurance policy pays for your damages. All motorists are required to carry at least $40,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage per person per accident. This includes $20,000 in coverage for medical expenses and $20,000 for non-medical expenses.
PIP pays for your necessary medical expenses as well as lost wages and “replacement services” like childcare and house cleaning you can’t perform. You can start the PIP claim process by notifying your insurance company of the accident.
PIP insurance covers reasonable medical care such as:
- Surgery
- Prescription medication
- Hospitalization
- Physician visits
- Medical services
- Transportation to medical care
- Prosthetic devices
- Rehabilitation
PIP coverage can be stacked or unstacked in Minnesota. Stacked coverage is more expensive, but it offers greater coverage. If you have two or more cars with stacked PIP coverage, your coverage is multiplied by the number of vehicles you own. For instance, if you have $20,000 in stacked PIP coverage and three insured vehicles on the same policy, you have $60,000 in PIP coverage available.
It’s easy for medical bills to exceed $20,000, especially if you suffered a serious injury.
In Minnesota, you can step outside the no-fault system and file a personal injury lawsuit or third-party claim against the at-fault driver if:
- You incurred $4,000 or more in medical expenses, or
- You suffered permanent injury, permanent disfigurement, or at least 60 days of disability
If you can step outside no-fault rules, your liability claim against the other driver allows you to recover damages that exceed your PIP coverage. You can also pursue compensation for damages your policy doesn’t cover, such as pain and suffering.
Other Options for Paying Medical Bills After an Accident
Many accident victims rely on their health insurance to help pay medical costs after an accident. Be aware that many insurance companies have a subrogation clause that gives them a legal claim against any settlement you may obtain for your injuries.
Minnesota law also requires at least $25,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage per person and $50,000 per accident. UM/UIM coverage provides additional coverage for medical bills, lost earnings, and other financial damages if you are in an accident with a driver with no car insurance or inadequate coverage.
You may have another form of insurance coverage to help with medical bills: Medical Payments coverage. It can supplement PIP coverage by paying medical bills that exceed your PIP limits.
A Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You Navigate Paying Medical Bills
A personal injury lawyer can help by not only calculating the total damages you suffered but also handling your insurance claim. Your lawyer will help you understand your coverage and make sure your insurance company treats you fairly. An experienced lawyer will also help you pursue compensation beyond your policy limits from the at-fault party.
If you are entitled to step outside the no-fault system, you will need to prove the other party was at fault for your crash. Your lawyer will gather evidence to build the strongest claim possible and hold the negligent driver responsible.
Contact the Minnesota Car Accident Law Firm of Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys For Help Today
For more information, please contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have three convenient locations in Minnesota, including Minneapolis, St. Cloud, and Edina.
We proudly serve Hennepin County, Stearns County, and its surrounding areas:
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – Minneapolis
825 Nicollet Mall, Suite 615
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(800) 292-1979
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – St. Cloud
1010 W St Germain St # 320
St Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 255-1000
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – Edina
5200 Willson Rd #203
Edina, MN 55424
(952) 697-5560
