Community Chat

[chrystaltree]

I'm sure no one has auto insurance "through the government".  Your grandaughter's parents can handle this on their own, you don't have to be concerned about any of this.  Your son will get one of those attorney's that specializes in auto accidents and the attorney will guide him through the process.  Your grandaughter wasn't seriously injured that's the important thing here.

[AuntG]

Poster above me is Wrong. However, I think it will be worked out by the insurance companies so that your family doesn't have to hire additional legal representation.

[Mj12]

---

@Ditzydori wrote:


Is this the right course of action? I never heard of car insurance from the government. Medical, yes. But not car. Can anyone shed some light?

---

The only thing I can think of is this - was the driver driving a Government-owned vehicle?  There are thousands upon thousands of Goverment-insured Government-owned vehicles on the road (Federal, State and Local).  

[Ms tyrion2]

---

@bathina wrote:

I think this would be handled through your son's health insurer and not your son's auto insurer. This was reported as an accident when your granddaughter showed up at the ER, her health insurance would initially pay the bills and then go after the driver's auto insurance for reimbursement of the cost of medical treatment and your son's deductible payment.

He should probably call his health insurance company for verification. He could also get a lawyer if he believes your granddaughter is entitled to compensation for pain and suffering (which is a payment above and beyone the full cost of her medical treatment).

---

Your auto insurance can cover you as a pedestrian  if you have medical payments coverage and/or uninsured motorist coverage. The advantage to using the med pay is there is no deductible or co pay like there is with health insurance.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with contacting the other person's auto insurer directly.

[Mom2Dogs]

It never ceases to amaze me that those that post here  sometimes get  snarky remarks when a question is asked or post an issue that is happening in their lives.

....I don't come here to get FIRM legal, medical, etc advice.  I come here to ask questions, vent, learn, chat, etc.... I don't think those of us that post are expecting public forums to solve our problems...we are just connecting with others and need to vent at times, or just post what is happening in our lives.

[Ditzydori]

Very well said Momtodogs.

Thanks again for all of your very informative and helpful replies.

[PamfromCT]

First, you don't make a move without an attorney representing you.  A case like this will be taken on contingency, at no charge to you.  Your attorney will take over all communications with the other party's insurance company, both verbal and written.  One example:  The offender's company will want you to release all victim's medical records.  Your attorney will only release records pertinent to the accident.  When the case settles, your GD will be compensated for all her costs,and perhaps some compensation for pain and suffering. The attorney will deduct for legal expenses and then receive one-third of compensated amount, which is established by law.  Your GD should never communicate with the insurance company of the other party, nor release any medical files to this person's insurance company.  

I li speak from experience.  While doing everything right, I was slammed from the rear, while my car was stopped, by a distracted driver going about 40 miles per hour.  Fortunately I always wear my seat belt.  The damage to my car was underneath and later fixed, while his car has to be towed.  I am 74 years old, with back problems well under control at the time through months of PT and months of warm water pool therapy.  Won't get into what I have been through with CT scans, MTIs, visits to so many specialists.  Over a year of this, and I am thankful that signs of neuropathy in my legs and one arm are gone.  Throughout this, my attorney managed all communication.  Now at the end, all I want is compensation for all my co-pays.  That will make me happy.

I am grateful my GC were not in my car at the time.  I am grateful I was not much more seriously hurt.  I now the man who hit me is sorry, and I am sure he learned a lesson from this.  I hold no ill will toward him.

[bathina]

---

@Ms tyrion2 wrote:

---

@bathina wrote:

I think this would be handled through your son's health insurer and not your son's auto insurer. This was reported as an accident when your granddaughter showed up at the ER, her health insurance would initially pay the bills and then go after the driver's auto insurance for reimbursement of the cost of medical treatment and your son's deductible payment.

He should probably call his health insurance company for verification. He could also get a lawyer if he believes your granddaughter is entitled to compensation for pain and suffering (which is a payment above and beyone the full cost of her medical treatment).

---

Your auto insurance can cover you as a pedestrian  if you have medical payments coverage and/or uninsured motorist coverage. The advantage to using the med pay is there is no deductible or co pay like there is with health insurance.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with contacting the other person's auto insurer directly.

---

I think you need Personal Injury Protection to have medical bills paid through auto insurance. Regardless, I'd start with my own insurers rather than calling the driver's insurance. IMO, it's less of a hassle dealing with the companies you've purchased a policy from. Of course so much of this depends on state insurance laws.

[Ms tyrion2]

---

@bathina wrote:

---

@Ms tyrion2 wrote:

---

@bathina wrote:

I think this would be handled through your son's health insurer and not your son's auto insurer. This was reported as an accident when your granddaughter showed up at the ER, her health insurance would initially pay the bills and then go after the driver's auto insurance for reimbursement of the cost of medical treatment and your son's deductible payment.

He should probably call his health insurance company for verification. He could also get a lawyer if he believes your granddaughter is entitled to compensation for pain and suffering (which is a payment above and beyone the full cost of her medical treatment).

---

Your auto insurance can cover you as a pedestrian  if you have medical payments coverage and/or uninsured motorist coverage. The advantage to using the med pay is there is no deductible or co pay like there is with health insurance.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with contacting the other person's auto insurer directly.

---

I think you need Personal Injury Protection to have medical bills paid through auto insurance. Regardless, I'd start with my own insurers rather than calling the driver's insurance. IMO, it's less of a hassle dealing with the companies you've purchased a policy from. Of course so much of this depends on state insurance laws.

---

Personal injury protection coverage is for states that have No Fault laws. Medical Payments coverage is for all others.

[Lipstickdiva]

I know this isn't a funny situation and OP thank goodness your granddaughter is okay.  But reading some of these replies is making me laugh and shake my head.  The advice is all over the place.  I'd be more lost after I asked for help here than before. 

I work for a law firm and we handle these types of matters but please know you can make a move without contacting an attorney first.  We get calls from people who have the mindset that they cannot do anything without contacting an attorney and in some instances we wonder why they are calling us.  You wouldn't believe some of the calls.  SMH