Who Pays Medical Bills After a Crash in Miami?

Being injured in a car accident in Miami is stressful enough, but dealing with medical bills afterward can be overwhelming, piling up quickly. 

If you’re hurt in a car crash, you might be wondering: “Who pays medical bills after a car accident in Miami, Florida?” 

The answer depends on several factors, including your insurance coverage, the severity of your injuries, and whether another party was at fault. 

At The Morgan Law Group, our Miami car accident attorneys help injured victims understand their rights, deal with the insurance companies, and pursue full compensation for their medical bills and other losses after an accident.

Who Pays Medical Bills After a Car Accident in Miami?

Florida has a no-fault insurance system, which means that after a car accident, each driver’s own insurance policy covers their medical expenses – regardless of who caused the crash. This is called Personal Injury Protection (PIP), and it is mandatory under Florida law.

Here’s how it works:

• Florida drivers are required to carry a minimum of $10,000 in PIP coverage.
• PIP covers 80% of your medical bills and 60% of lost wages, up to the policy limit.

So if you’re asking, who pays medical bills after a car accident, the short answer is: your own insurance policy pays first, regardless of fault. 

Note: This is just the starting point. In serious accidents, medical expenses often exceed the $10,000 limit provided by PIP. That’s when things get more complicated.

Medical Bills After a Car Accident in Miami 

The cost of medical care after a crash can add up fast. 

Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be billed for:

• Emergency room visits
• Hospital stays
• Surgeries
• Diagnostic tests (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans)
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Prescription medications
• Specialist visits
• Follow-up care and long-term treatment

PIP will only cover a portion of these costs. If your medical bills exceed the PIP limit, the rest of the payment for medical bills after a car accident may have to come from other sources:

• Health Insurance: After PIP is exhausted, your health insurance may begin covering additional medical expenses, depending on your plan. You may still be responsible for co-pays, deductibles, or out-of-network charges.
• MedPay Coverage: Some Florida drivers also purchase Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay), which can cover some or all of the costs not paid by PIP. MedPay is optional, but it can help cover PIP deductibles and the 20% not covered by PIP.
• Letters of Protection: If you don’t have health insurance or can’t afford care, you may work with medical providers under a Letter of Protection. This means the provider agrees to wait for payment until your personal injury claim is resolved.

Unfortunately, some crash victims pay out-of-pocket for treatment if insurance doesn’t cover their needs. This can lead to financial hardship or debt collections, especially if you’re unable to work after the accident.

How Are Medical Bills Paid After a Car Crash in Miami?

When your car accident injuries are severe and another party caused the crash, you may be able to recover the remainder of your medical expenses by filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. 

Filing a PIP Insurance Claim

You must first file an insurance claim with your own insurance provider to get the initial PIP benefits. Florida insurance law requires that you seek medical treatment within  14 days of the accident to be eligible for PIP coverage.

Determining if Injuries Meet the “Serious Injury Threshold”

Florida’s no-fault system limits your ability to sue unless your injuries are legally serious. 

You may step outside the no-fault system and sue the at-fault driver if you’ve suffered:

• Significant and permanent loss of a bodily function
• Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability
• Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Death (in wrongful death claims)

If your injuries meet these criteria, you can pursue compensation from the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability insurance.

Filing a Claim Against the At-Fault Driver

Your car accident attorney can file a claim or lawsuit against the negligent driver. 

This can help you recover compensation, not only for unpaid medical bills, but other car accident damages, such as:

• Future medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages beyond PIP coverage
• Other out-of-pocket costs

The at-fault driver’s insurance company may attempt to deny liability or downplay the value of your damages. Having a car accident attorney in Miami negotiate on your behalf increases your chances of recovering full compensation.

What if the At-Fault Party is Uninsured/Underinsured?

Despite the presence of uninsured/underinsured drivers, Florida does not require drivers to carry bodily injury liability coverage unless they have certain prior violations. This means the at-fault driver in your accident might be uninsured or underinsured.

Miami-Dade County has more than 5% of uninsured drivers. If you got involved in a crash with a driver who is uninsured/underinsured, who pays medical bills after the car accident? 

If you carry uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) insurance, it may step in to pay for:

• Medical expenses beyond PIP
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering

UM/UIM coverage in Florida is optional, but strongly recommended. If you don’t have it, you may have to rely on your PIP insurance or pursue the at-fault driver directly in court, which may not lead to recovery if they lack assets.

Even when the other driver has car insurance, their coverage might not be enough to fully cover your damages. In those cases, your own UM/UIM policy can help make up the difference.

Can a Miami Car Accident Attorney Help with My Medical Bills?

Absolutely. A qualified car accident attorney does more than file legal documents; they help protect your physical, financial, and legal interests every step of the way. 

• Evaluating all insurance options: Your attorney will examine every available insurance policy (yours and the other driver’s) to identify all possible sources of compensation.
• Coordinating with medical providers: Your lawyer may be able to negotiate Letters of Protection with doctors and specialists, allowing you to get treatment without upfront costs while your case is pending.
• Negotiating medical liens: Hospitals and insurance companies may place liens on your settlement for reimbursement. Your attorney can often negotiate these liens down, helping you keep more of your settlement. 
• Pursuing additional damages: Once your PIP benefits run out, your car accident attorney will build a strong claim against the at-fault party to recover any remaining medical expenses, lost income, and damages for pain and suffering.
• Managing the legal process: From filing paperwork to dealing with insurance adjusters to preparing for trial if needed, your attorney handles the entire legal process so you can focus on healing.

Working with a car accident attorney in Miami is one of the best ways to ensure your medical bills are properly handled and that you’re not left with crushing debt after a crash.

Let’s Help You Get Paid for Car Accident Medical Bills 

After a car crash in Miami, the question of who pays medical bills after a car accident in Miami can be confusing and stressful. 

While Florida’s no-fault PIP system provides initial coverage, it’s rarely enough to cover all your expenses. Additional coverage like MedPay, health insurance, or UM/UIM may help, but if your injuries are serious, you may be entitled to recover full compensation from the at-fault driver. At The Morgan Law Group, we are committed to helping injured individuals get the care and compensation they deserve.

If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, don’t let medical bills threaten your recovery.  Call our Miami office today at (305) 504-7642 or contact us using our online form, and let our attorney help you explore your options and get the legal help you need.