Last updated: January 12, 2020
Getting medical bills paid after a car, truck or pedestrian accident can be a nightmare. The stress of navigating the maze of car insurance PIP claims often compounds the physical injuries.
Injured individuals who need to open a PIP claim to get medical bills paid are often confused about what to do and how to do it. The following are the three most common sources of confusion and misunderstanding about getting medical bills paid after a car accident in Delaware.
1. Making a Delaware PIP Claim After a Car Accident – Whose Insurance Company Pays?
Delaware is a no fault state. This means that in general, insured residents of Delaware who are injured in car accidents in their own Delaware vehicle will make a PIP claim under their own car insurance policy, up to the amount of benefits purchased. Delaware car accident insurance requires a minimum of $15,000 of PIP benefits. Learn more about Delaware PIP law here.
However, it is important to note that in some instances, the PIP claim will be made under another policy. For example, Delaware law requires that an injured passenger of a Delaware registered vehicle, involved in an accident in Delaware, make a PIP claim with the car insurance company of the car they were riding in at the time of the accident.
2. Opening a PIP Claim in Delaware
Once the appropriate car insurance company is notified of the claim, the injured individual will be required to fill out various forms, such as a PIP benefit claim form, medical record authorization form, etc. It is important that these forms be filled out promptly and returned to the car insurance company PIP adjuster, who is specially assigned to handle the payment of medical bills.
TIP: Car insurance companies are notorious for delaying or otherwise denying payment on valid claims. Therefore, it is important to be thorough when listing the injuries on the benefit claim form. Some individuals rush through the forms and forget to list a major injury. This may cause problems when it comes time to submit a bill for payment. For instance, an individual making a PIP claim may innocently forget to list a knee injury on the claim form. Later, when treatment is necessary for the knee, the car insurance company may use the claim form to delay or deny payment.
3. Keep Copies of All Medical Bills and Medical Expenses Related to the Car Accident Injuries
Delaware PIP claims work differently than health insurance. There is no co-pay or deductible. Therefore, someone submitting medical bills for payment will not pay any co-pay or deductible. However, it is still important to keep copies of all medical bills and EOBs (explanation of benefits) because insurance companies can and do make mistakes. EOBs are forms sent by car insurance companies each time they pay a medical bill. In addition, there are always miscellaneous out of pocket expenses. A prescription and medical supplies such as a brace, can add up quickly.
Making a PIP claim can be complex. If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Delaware and need to get medical bills paid, you should contact a car accident lawyer in Delaware to discuss your options.
Related content:
- Recovering Medical Bills in a Delaware Car or Truck Accident Case
- Pain and Suffering Damages in a Car/Truck Accident Case in Delaware
- Recovering Lost Wages After a Delaware Car/Truck Accident
Delaware Car Accident Lawyer with Over 30 Years of Experience
Since 1982, firm founder, Martin Knepper, has served residents of Delaware in all personal injury matters, including car accidents and truck accidents. Contact our accident lawyers today and ask for a free consultation. (302) 658.1717
Our lawyers serve residents throughout the Delaware area, including: Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Middletown, and Smyrna. We also represent residents of other states such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia who are injured in car or truck accidents while in Delaware. For more information, please contact us.
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