Bus accidents are far rarer than car accidents, but they do still happen. In 2019, 13,000 people suffered injuries due to a school bus accident, according to the National Safety Council. And that’s only one type of bus.
Sorting through who is at fault for a bus accident can be complicated because it could be the fault of any of the following parties:
- Bus driver
- Local municipality
- Bus maintenance company
- Bus parts manufacturer
- Another driver
So while you wait for investigators to sort things out, how do you pay your medical bills so you can make a speedy recovery? Learn about your options to avoid severe financial impacts and to ensure your bills don’t start piling up to the point where you start having to deal with collections agencies.
Paying Medical Bills After a Bus Accident
After any accident, the most important thing you should focus on is getting well. Delaying medical care can increase the severity of your injuries or make them last long-term. So even if you’re unsure how you’ll pay for that care, get a doctor immediately for a check-up to evaluate your health after a bus accident.
Try to avoid stressing about financials at this point. This can add another layer of complication to your injuries and lead to the need for counseling and further medical bills.
Instead, look to these options for paying your medical bills:
- Your car insurance company – This insurance should cover you as a passenger of another vehicle, including a bus. Once the investigation concludes who is at fault for the accident, your insurance company will seek reimbursement for the money it pays out through a process called subrogation. That way, you also won’t face increased rates for your insurance company due to your claim.
- Health insurance – Some health insurance companies might have an issue with paying for injuries due to someone else’s negligence. But they’ll seek that reimbursement through subrogation just like a car insurance company would. The catch to this is that you’ll still have to pay your copays and deductibles before receiving care.
- Insurance company of the at-fault party – This might be the bus operator’s insurance policy or the policy of the driver who collided with the bus. Ideally, you should be able to get your medical bills paid without a lawsuit, but sometimes the insurance company refuses to pay and you find yourself still needing to pursue a personal injury case to offset your many expenses.
Personal Injury Protection Coverage for Bus Accidents
Personal Injury Protection coverage (PIP) is not required in Indiana since the state uses a traditional fault system. However, if you have personal injury protection coverage on your auto insurance policy, this can be a great way to pursue medical bill payments.
This coverage provides payment for medical bills for drivers and passengers in your vehicles regardless of who is at fault for the accident. But the great part is, it also provides coverage for lost wages, childcare expenses, housekeeping costs, and much more if you are unable to meet your normal obligations due to your injuries.
For this coverage to provide payment for your injuries after a bus accident, you’ll need to have purchased the coverage in advance of the bus accident. You cannot retroactively add it after a bus accident.
Call Today for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been involved in a bus accident or have a child who was injured in a school bus accident, contact Stewart & Stewart as soon as possible. We’ll help you determine the best party for paying your medical bills and aid you in determining the best course of action after an accident.