After a car crash in Maryland, one of the first concerns many people have is how their medical bills will be paid. Treatment for crash-related injuries may necessitate emergency room visits, follow-up care, physical therapy and even long-term rehabilitation. These costs can quickly become overwhelming, especially if the injuries are serious enough to keep a crash victim from working.
If you have recently been injured in an accident, know that understanding how Maryland law handles medical expenses after a wreck can help you plan your next steps and protect your financial stability.
What Maryland’s fault-based system means for you
Maryland follows the fault-based system for car accidents. This means that the driver who caused a particular crash and their insurance company are generally responsible for paying the damages of those injured. If another driver is found to be at fault for your accident, you may file a claim against their liability insurance to cover medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. However, these claims can take time to resolve, leaving you with expenses in the meantime.
To help bridge this gap, many Maryland drivers carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. PIP benefits are available through your own insurance policy and can cover medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, regardless of who was at fault. Unlike in some states, PIP is optional in Maryland, but insurers are required to offer it, and many drivers choose to add it to their coverage. Using PIP benefits can provide immediate relief while your claim against an at-fault driver is pending.
If your expenses exceed what insurance will cover, your health insurance may also play a role in managing your financial concerns. Health insurance providers often cover crash-related treatment, although they may later seek reimbursement from any settlement or award you receive. This process, called subrogation, allows your health insurer to recover costs once the at-fault party has paid damages.
Because every crash is different, and insurance companies often prioritize their bottom line over the recovery of crash victims, navigating this process can be difficult. Working with a skilled legal team can help you to better ensure that all available sources of compensation are pursued and that you are not left paying out of pocket for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence.