A serious car accident can cause serious injuries. If this describes you, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and other losses. Call Marzzacco Niven & Associates at (717) 616-2954 to speak with a Lancaster car accident lawyer during a free consultation.
We have over 120 years of combined experience handling car accident claims in Lancaster, PA. Our legal team has recovered tens of millions in compensation to help clients address their medical bills and other expenses. Reach out to us today.
Why Choose Marzzacco Niven & Associates After a Car Accident in Lancaster, PA?
When medical bills are piling up, and the insurance company is dragging its feet, you need a Lancaster car accident attorney who can help you set things right.
Here is what sets Marzzacco Niven & Associates apart:
- Local Knowledge: We understand insurance laws, the local courts, and the tactics insurers use to underpay claims in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
- Client-First Representation: We treat every client like a neighbor, with personalized attention and a strategy built around your specific situation.
- Top Ratings: We have hundreds of five-star reviews on Google and have been recognized by leading legal organizations, such as Best Lawyers and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Contact us today to schedule a free case review with an experienced Lancaster personal injury lawyer. We’re here to help you.
Pennsylvania’s No-Fault Insurance System
Pennsylvania uses a hybrid insurance system that combines no-fault benefits with traditional liability claims. The first source of compensation for your medical bills is usually your own auto insurance, regardless of who caused the crash.
1. First-Party Medical Benefits (PIP)
Pennsylvania law requires every driver to carry first-party medical benefits, sometimes called personal injury protection (PIP). The minimum required coverage is $5,000, though many drivers purchase higher limits.
These benefits pay your medical bills as they come in, no matter who was at fault for the accident. First-party medical benefits generally pay covered medical expenses regardless of who caused the crash, subject to the terms and limits of your policy. Your medical providers should bill your auto insurer first, before any other coverage.
2. Your Health Insurance
Serious injuries often exhaust PIP limits. Once your first-party benefits run out, your private health insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare steps in to cover continuing treatment.
However, you may still owe co-pays and deductibles, and your health insurer may assert a lien against your eventual settlement to recover what it paid. An experienced attorney can often negotiate these liens down.
3. The At-Fault Driver’s Liability Insurance
The driver who caused your crash is financially responsible for the harm they caused. Pennsylvania requires drivers to carry minimum bodily injury liability coverage of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident.
Importantly, your right to recover certain damages from the at-fault driver depends on the tort option you selected on your own auto policy. Drivers who choose full tort have the right to pursue compensation for pain and suffering. Drivers who choose limited tort generally cannot recover pain and suffering damages unless their injuries qualify as serious or another exception applies.
4. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage
If the at-fault driver carried no insurance or too little to cover your losses, your own UM/UIM coverage can pay for outstanding medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other covered damages.
UM/UIM coverage is one of the most valuable protections a Pennsylvania driver can buy.
5. A Personal Injury Claim or Lawsuit
When your injuries are serious, and the insurance company refuses to pay, a personal injury lawsuit may be the best path to full compensation. A successful car accident claim process may provide money for past and future medical expenses, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and more.
What if I Can’t Afford Medical Treatment After an Accident?
Many personal injury law firms work with local physicians and medical providers who will treat accident victims on a lien basis. That means the provider agrees to wait and be paid from your eventual settlement or award.
This arrangement lets you get the care you need now without upfront costs standing in the way of your recovery.
Call a Lancaster Car Accident Lawyer Today for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in a car accident in Lancaster, PA, medical treatment is a critical piece to getting your life back on track. An experienced Lancaster car accident attorney can help you understand the insurance and legal options available to recover money for your healthcare.
Contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates today for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced attorney. We will identify every source of recovery available to you and fight for every dollar you are owed.