What is Medical Payments Coverage?

If you were recently involved in an accident in Sterling Heights, Michigan, you are probably trying to determine what you need to do and who you need to contact in order for you to be paid the necessary compensation to cover your medical bills and vehicle repairs. While both may not apply to your particular incident as some accidents only result in vehicle damage, if you did sustain an injury, your medical payments coverage may kick in depending on whether you have this type of coverage on your policy.
Although it is not required to be purchased, medical payments coverage can in fact help pay the costs of medical bills that your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance doesn’t cover or your health insurance. According to esurance.com, medical payments coverage will provide compensation for:

  • Passengers who are hurt while you or a family member were driving.
  • You if become injured as a passenger in another individuals’ car.
  • You if are struck by a vehicle while walking or riding your bike.
  • Your condition requires you to have extended nursing services or hospitalization.
  • Medical payments coverage also acts as a safeguard by “filling the gap between your PIP limits and actual fees up to the limits of your medical payments coverage.”

While these PIP and health insurance are the two types of coverage that are expected to pay for your medical care, depending on the injury, you may not have enough.
Some common medical treatments that are required after engaging in an accident include:

  • X-rays
  • Casts
  • Treatment plans consisting of several visits to the doctor
  • Therapy
  • Chiropractic visits
  • Surgery

And if you are familiar with the health care system, then you know just one single doctor’s visit isn’t exactly cheap.
If you would like to learn more about the role your insurance company is expected to play after an accident, we encourage you to speak with a licensed and qualified accident attorney in Sterling Heights, Michigan. They can inform you on what to expect when dealing with an insurance company, what your accident might be worth, and the steps you need to take to ensure you are paid the compensation your accident has qualified you to receive.
 

Is Michigan a no-fault or at-fault state when it comes to auto accidents?

 
One of the reasons why it is vital that you have adequate insurance coverage and know what you are entitled to after an accident is because state laws affect how an accident claim is handled and who is expected to pay.
Michigan currently follows the no-fault insurance laws which means those who are involved in an accident are responsible for paying for the damages/injuries brought on, regardless of fault. This law prevents a driver from filing a lawsuit against another driver who was liable for causing the accident and helps avoid any hold up in receiving funds to cover your vehicle repairs and possible medical bills. In some cases, drivers wind up disputing who actually caused the accident, so with the no-fault law, this essentially not an issue anymore.
However, bear in mind that if a person suffers from a serious injury or a life is taken as a result of an accident, a lawsuit can still be filed, but it is generally only under these circumstances that it will be accepted.
Knowing your insurance policy in and out and what your limits are will make the claims process a bit easier for you. However, if you find that you aren’t being paid the money your policy terms state and you engaged in a minor crash or serious collision in Sterling Heights, Michigan, let us find you an accident lawyer nearby who can be of some assistance with the matter.