In our previous blog post, we discussed the legal matters surrounding how medical bills may be paid for after a car accident in Mesa takes place. Our discussion now turns to medical bills being covered by a combination of the two options initially discussed: negligent driver’s insurance and the injured victim’s health insurance.
Avenue #3: A Combination of the Two
The third avenue for paying for the medical bills that result from a car accident is a combination of health insurance and the at fault driver’s auto insurance. These types of cases are most beneficial to the injured victim because of a law called the “collateral source rule.” The collateral source rule prohibits the admission of evidence that the injured victim has been or will be compensated by some source other than the damages awarded against the defendant.
For instance, if you’re injured in a car accident caused by a negligent driver and your medical bills were paid for by workers’ compensation or by your health insurance company, this information is generally not admissible. So, since doctor, hospitals, and specialists don’t need to be paid twice for services rendered, the additional money goes to help compensate you, the injured victim. The purpose of this law is to prevent the at fault party from reducing their financial responsibility for the injuries they caused.
Obviously, you can tell from the information above that personal injury cases can get pretty complicated – especially when you consider that each case is completely different. That’s why, if you or a loved one has been seriously injured, you should consider hiring a top car accident attorney. An experienced personal injury attorney knows the law inside and out and can help ensure that you are fully compensated for your injuries and pain and suffering.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Breyer Law Offices to schedule a free, no obligation consultation. We’ll give you honest, upfront answers about your case and how you can receive full compensation for your medical treatment. Don’t wait. Call us today.