I've paid my premiums for my auto insurance coverage so I should be covered for all my medical bills and treatment if I get injured in a car accident in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, correct? The short answer is not always. Under Pennsylvania Law all automobiles registered in the state must have at least $5,000.00 in medical coverage for accident related treatment per injured person. These medical benefits are called first party benefits The reason your medical provider asks for your health insurance information is because such coverage is secondary if your treatment costs exceed your medical coverage under the auto insurance policy covering your Pennsylvania auto accident. This means that once you have exhausted the the medical coverage under your auto insurance policy the medical provider must then submit any additional charges to your health insurance carrier. One should also not assume that health insurance will seamlessly pick up the balance since all health insurance plans have different requirements and the physicians or medical providers with whom you are receiving treatment may not be part of your health provider's network. Nowadays, $5,000.00 does not go as far as it used to as when the law was enacted over 25 years ago and it is recommended that you choose higher medical treatment limits such as $10,000.00 or more for little extra cost in many cases. This will avoid gaps in coverage and ensure continuity of necessary treatment, including physical therapy,  required consultations from specialists, imaging and testing. Your auto insurance medical benefits will also cover you if you happen to be involved in a car accident outside the state of Pennsylvania and require treatment .

 What Happens When My Auto Insurance Medical Limits Are Exhausted And I Still Need Treatment But Have No Health Insurance?

 You have the right to get those additional medical bills paid by the at fault party's insurance carrier, subject to the requirements of the Pa. Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law of Pennsylvania. Generally speaking, there are constraints in the amount of accident related charges that will be paid and the medical providers are bound as such and must accept what is reasonable for the type of treatment rendered.

What if I Am A Passenger Injured In An Accident While In Someone Else's Car And I Have No Auto Insurance ?

Hopefully the car in which you were a passenger has auto insurance. If so, you will have coverage subject to the limits of their coverage on that car. It does not matter if the driver of the car you occupied was not at fault, you are covered regardless. If the car you were a passenger in did not have auto insurance, then you have no auto insurance coverage and it is best to contact a car accident lawyer in Pennsylvania to discuss your legal options. Many folks don't realize, however. that even if they do not own a car of their own and have no auto insurance, as long as they reside in a household with a relative in Pennsylvania who owns an insured car they are covered even in someone else's automobile who is not a family member. If you or someone you know has been injured contact the Brod Law Firm today online or call 1-888-435-7946.