You can suffer serious injuries in a car accident in Baltimore, MD. But even if you only have minor injuries, you could face significant medical expenses. An ambulance ride and visit to the emergency room could cost tens of thousands of dollars, even if doctors only take an X-ray before releasing you.
The options you have for paying your medical bills will depend on your insurance situation. They will also depend on the circumstances of your accident. If you suffered injuries due to someone else’s negligent driving, you could pursue an injury claim against the at-fault driver.
Table of Contents
How WGK Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Auto Accident in Baltimore
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers was established in 1977 and is one of the oldest personal injury law firms in Maryland. Our Baltimore car accident attorneys offer clients more than 80 years of combined legal experience fighting for fair injury compensation. Since our law firm was founded, we’ve obtained tens of millions of dollars in compensation for our deserving clients.
If you hire us after a car accident in Baltimore, Maryland, you’ll be able to take the time you need to recover from your injuries. In the meantime, our award-winning legal team can help by:
- Internally investigating your accident to fully evaluate your damages and to collect evidence
- Hire experts when needed to bolster your compensation claim
- Demand and negotiate for an adequate settlement agreement on your behalf
- File a lawsuit against the at-fault party if they refuse to offer a fair amount
Car accident injuries can come with extraordinary costs due to medical bills and the inability to work. To discuss your injuries and the accident compensation you can seek for them, contact WGK Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation at (410) 837-2144.
How Many People Are Injured in Baltimore Car Accidents?
According to the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), Baltimore averaged about 18,000 total crashes per year from 2017 to 2021. These crashes included 1,273 accidents involving pedestrians or bicyclists.
This leaves an average of roughly 16,700 car accidents per year. These car accidents caused about 4,500 non-fatal injuries and 30 fatal injuries each year, according to MDOT.
Not all of these accident victims incurred medical bills. Some only suffered minor injuries that required no medical treatment or therapy. But anything more serious than scratches and bruises could cost thousands of dollars in medical bills.
A study in 2022 found that costs for a broken leg would range from $8,700 to over $46,000. These costs include:
- Medical bills
- Absenteeism costs, including lost wages
- Disability costs from an inability to perform job duties after returning to work
According to this study, almost two-thirds of your expenses will come from medical expenses.
How To Pay Your Medical Bills After a Car Accident in Baltimore
After a car accident, you may need emergency treatment. You do not have the luxury of budgeting the medical expenses to pay for injuries from a crash. And studies show that almost half of all Americans do not have enough savings to afford a $400 emergency expense.
You will need to figure out how to pay your doctor’s bills after a car accident. If you cannot, you may need to choose between paying your doctor or covering your living expenses.
Your options for who will pay your medical bills after a car accident include:
You
You could pay for your medical bills out of your own pocket. You might have to choose this option when you have no claim against an at-fault driver. If you caused an accident and you have no health insurance, you may need to pay for your medical bills using your income and savings.
Your Health Insurance Provider
Health insurance will pay your medical bills after an accident. But using your health insurance can cost you additional money because most health policies have a copay or deductible that you must pay to receive medical services. Also, your health insurance policy will not reimburse you for the time you miss from work.
Your Auto Insurance Provider
Maryland requires insurers to offer personal injury protection coverage (PIP) with your auto insurance policy. You can waive this coverage, but many car owners choose to include PIP in their policies.
PIP provides up to $2,500 in benefits after a car accident. This coverage pays your medical bills and 85% of your lost income. After a minor accident, you can use the PIP benefits in your auto insurance policy to cover your expenses. But you might not have enough coverage for severe injuries that cause you to miss substantial time from work.
The At-Fault Driver
Maryland uses a fault-based system of auto insurance. If the other driver caused the accident through negligence, you can file a claim against their liability coverage.
The other driver’s liability coverage will pay your medical bills and lost income. Most importantly, you can also use a liability claim to recover compensation for non-economic damages such as pain, suffering, and disability.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers
You could face mountains of medical bills after a car accident. Worse yet, your injuries might prevent you from earning a living and paying for medical treatment.
To discuss your options for pursuing injury compensation for your injuries, contact WGK Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with an experienced Baltimore car accident attorney.
