When will the insurance company pay for a car accident victim’s medical care in Maryland?
Annapolis, MD—Maryland is considered a fault state, and therefore, an accident victim should be able to recover compensation for their injuries and losses from the at-fault party’s insurance company. A state that identifies as a “fault” state requires its drivers to compensate an accident victim for things like vehicle damage, medical expenses, etc. when they are liable for causing the crash. Thankfully, when a motorist is complying with Maryland’s insurance laws, their carrier will step in to help cover these costs.
How much will the insurance company pay for medical expenses after a car accident?
The answer depends on how much insurance coverage the at-fault party purchased. If the driver only purchased enough coverage to ensure they were in compliance with Maryland’s minimum insurance requirements, then a victim may only be entitled to collect up to $60,000. Maryland currently requires motorists to carry bodily injury liability coverage with the following limits:
- $30,000 minimum per person/$60,000 minimum per accident
While this might be enough for some car crash victims, especially those that didn’t suffer severe injuries, it may not be enough to cover a victim’s care and lost wages if their injuries are severe or catastrophic.
What if an at-fault party’s insurance limits aren’t enough to cover a victim’s medical expenses?
When a driver’s insurance limits are too low and cannot satisfy a victim’s medical expenses, they are considered underinsured. If a person engages in a motor vehicle accident with an underinsured driver in Annapolis, MD, they are then left with the burden of covering their medical expenses, that is unless they purchased certain types of insurance coverage.
For example, if a driver added Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance to their policy, this would reimburse them for medical expenses and lost income. PIP is beneficial to have as it will provide compensation regardless of who caused the accident.
Medical Payments Coverage
Medical payments coverage will also help an accident victim pay for their medical care if they are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist in Annapolis, MD.
Should an accident victim consult with an Annapolis, MD car accident lawyer following a collision?
Most car crash victims don’t know how to properly value their case and often walk away with a settlement that is much lower than what they should have received. This is one reason why victims should consult with an attorney directly after their accident. An Annapolis, MD car accident attorney will determine what a person’s case is worth and where they can recover compensation from.
They can also assist a victim who is provided with a low-ball settlement offer from the insurer. If an individual was recently involved in an accident in Annapolis and would like to have an attorney provide them with a case evaluation, they can contact Murnane & O’Neill at (410) 761-6800.
Murnane & O’Neill is located at:
7425 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd.
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
Phone: (410) 761-6800
Website: www.murnaneandoneill.com
