Paying Medical Bills After a Hit-And-Run Crash in Indiana

Category: Car Accidents

Article by Heath A. Tuley

As a hit-and-run accident attorney in Indiana, The Tuley Law Firm is here to help you through the legal process of recovering damages if the driver who hit you flees the scene. Call us at (812) 625-2053 to get all of your questions answered.

 

Typically, an at-fault driver is responsible for paying the medical treatment costs of the driver and passengers they hit. But what happens if the at-fault driver flees the scene before the police arrive? An injured hit-and-run victim may have to turn to their own automobile or health insurance to pay for crash-related medical bills and lost wages. Unfortunately, these providers may be unwilling to cover costs that should rightfully be paid by someone else.

Here, you can learn the options for paying for medical care after a hit-and-run car accident, how to maximize insurance coverage for your losses, and how an Evansville car accident attorney can help you recover.

Ways to Cover Medical Costs After a Hit-and-Run

Hit-and-run accidents can be devastating to victims, especially if the driver is never found. Medical providers won’t wait for you to receive a settlement or locate the driver before sending you a treatment bill. Fortunately, there are ways to pay for mounting medical costs both in the long and short term:

• Your health insurance. Your health insurance policy could cover your medical expenses after a hit-and-run accident, such as emergency room visits, hospital bills, surgeries, doctor appointments, physical rehabilitation, and other necessary treatments. However, you will have to pay co-pays and deductibles out of your own pocket, and the amount your insurer provides will depend on the specifics of your policy.
• Your UM coverage. Uninsured motorist (UM) insurance is specifically designed to cover medical expenses and other damages resulting from accidents involving uninsured or hit-and-run drivers. This optional coverage pays for medical expenses for an injured hit-and-run victim up to the policy’s limit, typically $25,000 per person.
• Your UIM coverage. While similar to UM coverage, underinsured motorist coverage comes into play if the at-fault driver in a hit-and-run car accident is identified but does not have sufficient insurance coverage to compensate you for your injuries. Car insurance providers in Indiana are required to offer UM and UIM coverage when you purchase a policy—and if you turn it down, you must do so in writing.
• Your PIP coverage. Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, also known as “no-fault” insurance, provides benefits for medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs, regardless of who is at fault in the accident—including hit-and-run scenarios. It’s mandatory in no-fault states.  In Kentucky, for example, PIP coverage of $10,000 per person is mandatory.
• MedPay. Indiana law does not require Medical Payment coverage (MedPay), but adding it to your car insurance offers advantages. It covers immediate medical bills for you or your passengers in your vehicle after an accident, regardless of who is at fault. It can be used to pay for out-of-pocket expenses, deductibles, co-pays, and other crash-related costs up to the policy’s limits.
• Medicare/Medicaid. If you are covered by Medicare or Medicaid, these government healthcare plans can pay for some (or all) of the costs of your hospital stays, doctor visits, surgeries, prescription medications, and other necessary treatments resulting from the accident. Like private insurance, they will have to be paid back if you receive a settlement from the hit-and-run driver.
• Your collision coverage. If you have no UM/UIM coverage, you can submit a claim based on your collision coverage. While collision coverage pays the cost to repair or replace your vehicle, having this cost taken care of can leave you more room in your budget for medical bills. What the insurance company can pay you in compensation will be based on your policy’s terms, conditions, details, and limits.

Common Insurance Problems After a Hit-and-Run

Hit-and-run car accidents complicate the process of filing insurance claims and pursuing compensation after a crash. Without a known at-fault party, your car insurance provider will do everything possible to avoid paying your policy limits. Your best option is to have our personal injury attorneys deal with your insurance company on your behalf.

Victims often face challenges when dealing with insurers after a hit-and-run, including:

• Proving uninsured motorist coverage. Insurers may require evidence of a hit-and-run, such as a police report, witness statements, or physical damage to the vehicle. In some cases, insurers may dispute the validity of the hit-and-run claim, leading to delays or denials of coverage. Victims may struggle to meet the burden of proof required to access uninsured motorist benefits.
• Disputes over coverage limits or policy exclusions. Insurance policies may have limitations on uninsured motorist coverage, including maximum benefit amounts or specific exclusions. Disagreements between the insured and the insurer regarding policy interpretation can arise, potentially delaying your rightful compensation. Understanding the terms and conditions of your insurance policy is crucial.
• Delays in claims processing. Hit-and-run accidents often involve complex investigations and may require time to gather evidence and assess damages. Insurers may conduct thorough investigations to verify the circumstances of the accident before processing the claim. Processing delays prolong the time it takes for victims to receive compensation for medical expenses and other damages.
• Increases in insurance premiums. Filing a claim for a hit-and-run accident may result in an increase in insurance premiums for the insured. Insurers may view hit-and-run claims as indicative of increased risk, leading to higher rates for the policyholder. Victims may face financial repercussions beyond the immediate costs of the accident, including ongoing higher insurance premiums.
• Inadequate coverage. Hit-and-run accidents are bad enough when they involve two cars. Still, they can be deadly if the driver strikes a motorcyclist, bicyclist, or pedestrian. Insufficient insurance payouts may leave victims with unpaid medical expenses and damages, forcing them to cover expenses out of pocket or seek alternative financial assistance.

Contact an Indiana Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you are injured by any negligent driver in Indiana, seeking a personal injury lawyer’s advice is always smart. However, the complications of a hit-and-run accident make having a good injury attorney’s advice and representation imperative from the beginning.

In the best-case scenario, a knowledgeable accident lawyer may be able to help you and the police find the driver who injured you. If the driver is identified, your attorney can gather details and investigate the accident to strengthen your injury or wrongful death lawsuit.

Even if the hit-and-run driver is never identified, you may still be able to receive compensation for the auto accident. A personal injury attorney can help you seek other potential sources of compensation after an accident and handle the negotiations with your insurance company on your behalf. Nothing is a higher priority than your health and your future. If you’ve been injured and the driver who injured you cannot be found, get advice from Tuley Law immediately. We offer a free consultation and only collect fees once you receive a settlement.

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