Not at Fault Accident – Hospital Bill Exceeds PIP and Bodily Injury Coverage – What Are My Options?

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Hi guys…

I was recently involved in an accident in Florida where the other driver was at fault. I had to go to the ER, and now I’m facing a situation where the hospital bill is significantly higher than my insurance coverage and the at-fault driver’s liability limits.

Here are the details:

  • My Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is $10,000.
  • The at-fault driver’s Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) limit is also $10,000.
  • The hospital bill is approximately $22,000.
  • I also have TRICARE and uninsured motorist coverage.

The at-fault driver’s insurance company has offered me $10,000, but they want me to sign a Bodily Injury Release. If I sign this to get the $10,000, will I be able to seek additional compensation for pain and suffering, or will the ER bill absorb the entire amount?

Also, how is it that drivers can get away with such low insurance limits, and what steps can I take to ensure I receive the compensation I need to cover the remaining expenses?

Any advice or experience with similar situations will not go unappreciated…

Thanks :blush:

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Hey there,

I’m really sorry to hear about your situation. Dealing with the aftermath of an accident can be incredibly stressful, especially when medical bills start piling up.

Here are a few options you might consider:

  1. Health Insurance: If you have health insurance, it should cover your medical expenses once your PIP and bodily injury coverage are exhausted. You might need to coordinate with your health insurance provider to ensure they cover the remaining costs.

  2. MedPay Coverage: If you have Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage on your auto insurance policy, it can help pay for medical expenses regardless of who is at fault.

  3. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: If the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your expenses, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can step in to cover the gap.

  4. Personal Injury Lawsuit: You might consider consulting with a personal injury attorney. They can help you explore the possibility of filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recover the remaining costs.

  5. Payment Plans: Some hospitals and medical providers offer payment plans or financial assistance programs. It might be worth discussing your situation with them to see if they can provide any relief.

  6. Negotiation: Sometimes, medical providers are willing to negotiate the amount owed, especially if you can demonstrate financial hardship.

I hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck in resolving this situation.

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There will be a major reduction in this bill. The bill will be lowered for PIP, and Tricare will probably get it lowered even more. After everything is said and done, there probably won’t be any money left over and the whole 10K bodily injury coverage will be accessible.

Call your PIP provider and get a “Explanation of Benefits” once they have settled the account, just to be safe. Tricare allows you to accomplish the same thing.