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Motorcycle accidents are all too common and the injuries are usually very significant. Some of the more common injuries from motorcycle accidents include:
- head injuries,
- fractured or broken bones, especially at joints such as the hip or shoulder,
- road burns,
- disfigurement, and
- biker’s arm (severe nerve damage in the arm resulting in paralysis).
Medical treatment often includes extensive hospitalization, surgeries, skin grafts, rehabilitation, physical therapy and other long term treatment such as pain management care.
Who Pays for Medical Bills in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is a “no-fault” state, which means that in car or truck accidents, injured occupants or drivers make claims for medical bills under their respective car insurance policies. Making such a claim does not depend on who caused the accident. Medical bills incurred as a result of a car or truck accident will get paid by the injured occupants or drivers’ own car insurance. In order to make a claim, the insurance company must be contacted and a claim opened.
What is the Policy Limit?
In car and truck accidents in Pennsylvania, the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsiblity Law (MVFRL) requires that insurance policies offer a minimum of $5,000.00 in medical benefits. More coverage may be purchased. There is no copay or coinsurance scheme.
Who Pays for Medical Bills in Motorcycle Accidents in Pennsylvania?
Motorcycle accidents are treated differently than car or truck accidents. Under the MVFRL, medical bills and other “first party” benefits, such as wage loss or funeral benefits, are not available to motorcycle riders who get into accidents. This means that if a motorcycle rider gets into a bike accident, regardless of whose fault the accident was, the rider cannot make a claim for medical benefits under his or her motorcycle insurance policy. Instead, the injured rider can make a claim to recover medical bills from the negligent party, the person who caused the accident.
When a rider gets into an accident and incurs medical bills, the rider may make a claim under his or her private medical insurance. In certain circumstances, the health insurance plan may have a right to seek reimbursement of its payments from the insured rider. The law of health insurance subrogation in any motorcycle or car accident is complex and a qualified, experienced motorcycle and car accident lawyer will be able to determine the right of reimbursement.
Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you’d like to have your case reviewed by our Philadelphia, Pennsylvania motorcycle accident lawyers, call 215.925.4451. Our lawyers are available for a free, no obligation legal consultation.
*This website does not provide legal advice. Every case is unique and it is important to get a qualified, expert legal opinion prior to making any decisions about your case. See the full disclaimer at the bottom of this page.
The motorcycle accident lawyers at Schwartz & Blackman handle cases in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey area:
- PA: Berks County, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Philadelphia County, Allentown, Lehigh Valley, Norristown, Philadelphia
- NJ: Atlantic County, Burlington County, Camden County, Gloucester County, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Camden, Cherry Hill, New Jersey shore cities