After a bicycle accident, your main priority should be your health. Bicycle accidents, more than auto accidents, are likely to result in serious injuries. Like most Americans, you know that medical bills aren’t cheap. So, can you rely on insurance coverage to pay your medical bills even if the accident wasn’t your fault?
Health Insurance Doesn’t Care About the Cause of the Injury
Some people worry that their health insurance will not pay their bills if they were in an accident. They think they have to wait for a settlement or for the auto insurance coverage to kick in. When you arrive at the hospital, you will be treated as you would for any injury or illness. The hospital or medical provider will rely on your healthcare plan. Healthcare insurance policies will generally cover different injuries and illnesses, regardless of the cause.
Now, there are cases where health insurance does not kick in first, but the driver’s auto insurance will kick in instead. The medical insurance will then pay what is left over. If the medical insurance pays first, however, they may seek action against the driver’s auto insurance provider.
Auto Insurance and Home Insurance Coverages May Help with Damages
Some auto insurance policies will also cover you if you are in an accident while cycling. Not to mention, if the other party is at fault, you may have a claim against the driver’s insurance policy. Your renter’s insurance or homeowner’s coverage does cover your bicycle, even when you aren’t at home. If the bike is damaged, you may be able to recover the loss.
Lawsuits Are the Key to Recovering Lost Damages
If your health insurance pays for your medical care, you can still file a lawsuit. You can sue for the full price of the hospital bills, in addition to pain and suffering or lost wages. Now, if your health care coverage paid for your medical care, you do have to pay the insurance company back. You would pay the insurance company the amount that it paid the hospitals. Generally, the health insurance company will put a lien on any settlement.
If you were injured in a cycling accident, you may deserve compensation. Even if your insurance paid for your medical bills, this doesn’t mean that you can’t still file a lawsuit. With the help of a lawyer, like a bicycle accident lawyer in Indianapolis, IN from Ward & Ward Law Firm, you can determine whether you have a case worth pursuing.