Accident victims with severe injuries are often left unsure about a number of things. From uncertainty surrounding physical recovery to concerns over how to seek compensation from the at-fault party, there are often more questions than answers. A common question following cab collisions is, “Do I need to pay my health insurance claims after being involved in a taxi accident?”

This is a legitimate concern since missed work and increasing medical bills are enough to strain anyone’s finances. This is a difficult question to answer because of New York’s complex accident and fault laws.

Medical Bills & No-Fault Insurance in New York

Whether you were involved in an accident with a cab or another type of vehicle, New York follows a no-fault rule regarding accident and car insurance. What this means is that regardless of who is responsible for an accident, each driver’s own insurance company covers their medical expenses. Passengers in vehicles are also covered by that driver’s insurance policy. In situations where only one vehicle is involved, such as pedestrian accidents or collisions with people on bicycles, scooters, or skateboards, the driver’s insurance company would be responsible for covering medical expenses for the other involved parties.

Typically, this coverage pays for a maximum of $50,000. New Yorkers can purchase additional coverage if they so choose, but it is not required. Serious injuries can easily exceed this payment threshold, especially when your income is limited due to missing work. What happens if medical bills exceed policy limits? You would be responsible for covering the difference unless you can secure compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.

New York allows accident victims who have suffered serious injuries to bypass the no-fault system. You may have experienced a serious injury if you have any of the following:

  • Dismemberment

  • Fracture

  • Permanent loss of an organ or member

  • Significant disfigurement

  • Severe limitation of a bodily system

Additionally, even temporary injuries can qualify as serious if they prevent you from engaging in everyday activities for at least 90 of the 180 days following the accident.

This list is not exhaustive, and given the varying nature of medical conditions from person to person, injured accident victims often need clarification regarding what qualifies as a serious injury.

Personal injury lawsuits allow injured drivers to sue the insurance company of the at-fault driver to receive the compensation they need to limit the out-of-pocket costs of recovery.

No-fault insurance, also known as Personal Injury Protection, provides some coverage for medical expenses, but it does not cover non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

Does Health Insurance Cover Taxi Accidents?

Health insurance does usually cover medical expenses associated with taxi accidents after no-fault insurance limits have been exhausted, but how do insurance companies pay accident medical bills?

Public and private health insurance providers have limits on the amount of money they will pay toward members’ medical costs. Accident victims who decide to pursue a lawsuit should know that insurance carriers may seek reimbursement for the costs they covered related to the accident.

There are a couple of billing situations you should be aware of. Anyone who may obtain a settlement with the at-fault party should keep an eye out for healthcare providers performing balance billing. This is when they try to send you a bill directly for any amounts that were written off or negotiated down.

Another possible scenario is that your health insurance company may try to be reimbursed for money it paid for accident-related treatment if you win a settlement. This practice is called subrogation.

If you are concerned that healthcare providers are taking advantage of you or treating you unethically, contact a car accident attorney for guidance.

Learn More About Your Rights After a Crash

Determining who is responsible for paying medical bills after a crash is complex in New York because of the no-fault rule and injury threshold exception. This is made even more difficult when vehicles like taxis are involved in the collision. Finding answers that specifically relate to your accident case is best done by consulting with a car accident attorney. They will be able to provide personalized advice about your case.

The Mark E. Seitelman Law Offices is happy to answer any questions you may have and help you understand what your legal rights are after an accident. Scheduling a consultation is simple and free, so contact us today.