Who Pays For The Ambulance After A Car Accident?
In many states, at-fault drivers who cause accidents are responsible for paying the medical expenses of anyone who was injured in that collision, including the cost of emergency treatment and transportation to a hospital in an ambulance. Florida, however, is a no-fault state, which means that the issue is a bit more complicated and most injured motorists will first need to file a claim with their own insurers to cover these costs.
Ambulance Services
When a person is injured in a car accident and needs medical attention, an ambulance may be his or her best chance of receiving timely treatment. The faster a seriously injured motorist makes it to the hospital, the greater his or her chances of recovery. Emergency medical care and transportation via ambulance can, however, be extremely expensive, making it especially important for accident victims to have a firm understanding of what their insurance covers in the event of a car accident.
What Medical Services Does Personal Injury Protection Insurance Cover?
Because Florida is a no-fault auto insurance state, car accident victims must initially file a claim with their own insurers to recover compensation after a crash. In Florida, all drivers are required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance of up to $10,000. These policies cover 80 percent of a claimant’s medical expenses after a crash, including the cost of both emergency and non-emergency medical care, such as:
- Medical treatment;
- Medications and equipment;
- Diagnostic services;
- Surgery and hospital expenses; and
- Rehabilitation costs.
The cost of transportation to a hospital via an ambulance also falls under this category. It is, however, important to note that insurers will only pay for ambulance transportation when it is deemed medically necessary. Basically, an ambulance will only be covered if a person suffers an injury that requires immediate medical attention, like a broken bone, a concussion, or an internal injury. Unfortunately, ambulance rides are notoriously expensive, which means that even a relatively minor accident can quickly exceed the limits of a PIP policy.
Filing a PIP Claim in Florida
One of the most important factors when filing a PIP claim in Florida is the timeline. For instance, obtaining compensation for treatment for any injuries sustained in a car accident must happen within two weeks of the car crash. Waiting longer than the two week period will typically lead to the denial of the claim for compensation. If an accident claim ends up exceeding a person’s PIP coverage, then he or she can seek compensation from the other driver’s insurer, or try to hold the driver personally liable in court.
Reach Out to Our Experienced Car Accident Lawyer for Help
If you were hurt in a car accident you may be facing hefty medical bills, including the cost of obtaining emergency medical treatment or transportation in an ambulance. Fortunately, injured parties are often able to recover compensation from their insurers for these losses. To learn more, please call 954-566-9919 and set up a meeting with one of the dedicated Fort Lauderdale auto accident lawyers at Boone & Davis today.
Sources:
leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.736.html
flhsmv.gov/insurance/
