Can I Seek Compensation for Medical Expenses After a Car Accident?
If you or somebody you love has been injured in a vehicle accident caused by the actions of a negligent driver in North Carolina, you should be able to recover various types of compensation for your losses. This includes coverage of any medical bills that you sustain as a result of the vehicle accident. Here, we want to discuss the types of medical bills you may be able to recover compensation for as well as other types of compensation that could be available for your vehicle accident claim.
Types of Medical Bills You May Incur After a Car Accident
In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, the number one priority is seeking medical treatment. Unfortunately, individuals often sustain significant injuries in a vehicle accident, but we also want to point out that even relatively minor injuries can lead to major medical bills for a North Carolina car accident victim.
Luckily, if another party caused your car accident, you should be available to recover various types of medical expense compensation. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Coverage of all emergency medical bills (ambulance, emergency room, etc.)
- Payment for any hospital stay
- Coverage of all follow-up doctor visits
- Any physical therapy or rehabilitation needed
- Payment for prescription medications or medical devices
- Compensation for any in-home care necessary
- Reimbursement for any travel expenses if you have to go back and forth to medical facilities
In the state of North Carolina, every driver is required to carry bodily injury liability coverage with a minimum requirement of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident. The unfortunate reality is that this is a rather low amount, particularly for anyone who sustains a severe injury. Crash victims may need to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recover compensation above and beyond what their insurance pays.
One downside of vehicle accident cases in North Carolina is that this state follows a “contributory negligence” system. This means that if you, as a car accident victim, share any of the fault for the accident, then you will be unable to recover compensation from the other driver’s insurance carrier. This is much different from how most other states handle these situations, where comparative fault systems allow compensation recovery for anyone who is up to 50% at fault for the incident.
If you have been accused of partial liability for a car accident, we encourage you to reach out to an attorney immediately.
Other Types of Compensation Available
In addition to coverage of these medical expenses, crash victims may be able to recover additional types of compensation for their losses. In some instances, crash victims are unable to work while they recover from their injuries. In these cases, they should be able to recover lost income for the time frame that they are unable to make it to their job.
Additionally, it is crucial for crash victims to be able to recover compensation for their property damage expenses. North Carolinians rely on their vehicles, so this property damage compensation needs to come quickly so you can repair or replace a vehicle after an accident.
Call us today to speak with a Raleigh car accident attorney.