Another driver sped through a four-way stop or made a left-hand turn right into your door. Not only did they wreck your car, but they left you seriously hurt. You understand that insurance in Georgia should protect you from medical losses after a crash, so you seek medical treatment, which you absolutely should.
Unfortunately, what many drivers don’t realize is that the medical bills related to a serious collision can quickly spiral out of control and may eventually exceed the insurance coverage available.
Big injuries lead to big bills
People with brain injuries, multiple fractures or spinal cord injuries may incur tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of medical bills after a crash. Surgery, rehabilitative care and physical therapy are often necessary in addition to emergency trauma care right after the collision. The care needed for a spinal injury, for example, could easily exceed half a million dollars just in the first year.
The other driver might not have enough insurance. In fact, they might even have a policy that has lapsed. If they do have coverage, the state only mandates $25,000 worth of bodily injury liability protection for a crash with one injured party. If more than one person gets hurt, you may have to split $50,000 worth of coverage among everyone.
When there isn’t enough coverage, you may be able to make a claim against your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Beyond that, you may have to consider filing a lawsuit.
The person who hurts you is the one responsible for your losses
You shouldn’t have to absorb tens of thousands of dollars worth of medical costs because someone else drove drunk or didn’t use their turn signal.
Everyone has a requirement to carry insurance to drive, and if they don’t carry enough to reimburse the people that they hurt in a crash, then they still have liability for the injuries and property damage they cause. A personal injury lawsuit could lead to a judgment that awards you the remainder of your expenses, effectively protecting you from those increasing medical costs.
Taking the right steps after a car crash, including getting timely medical care, will help you get the treatment and the compensation you need.