Ashton & Price, LLP

Health Care Reform: More Coverage for Seriously Injured in Car Accidents

The recent health care reform bill enacted by Congress will stand to benefit severely injured victims of car accidents. Those who have sustained a personal injury from a car accident will no longer have to rely on potentially insufficient auto insurance coverage. The Sacramento personal injury lawyers at Ashton & Price have been aggressive advocates for personal injury and wrongful death victims in California since 1996.

Controversy continues to surround the recent health care reform bill enacted by Congress in March of this year. For many, there are some clear advantages to its passing, however. The legislation includes a requirement that by 2014 all Americans must buy health insurance or pay an annual fine. Meeting this goal may seem like a daunting task, but once reached, it has the potential to help many people who suddenly face critical medical emergencies.

One particular group who stands to benefit are victims of severe car accidents.

In many cases, auto insurance companies provide compensation for people injured in crashes. Although states like California mandate that all drivers carry a minimum amount of financial responsibility to pay for injuries to other parties, many people continue to recklessly operate their vehicles as uninsured motorists.

Even when the law-abiding citizens who maintain the lowest level of auto liability coverage are involved in accidents, injured victims may not be able to appropriately settle with the insurers if their medical costs exceed the policy limits. For example, California liability minimums are $15,000 for one person and $30,000 for multiple people. If a driver causes a collision with another motorist who is badly injured or killed, the $15,000 cap could easily be surpassed. The policyholder would then be personally responsible for paying any outstanding accident-related expenses for the other driver.

But what if the at-fault driver does not have the money to cover the remaining medical bills, as is often the case? What happens when the person who was seriously hurt has no medical insurance?

The new federal health care plan will give injured car accident victims in these dire situations one more option for help.

The reform bill makes health care more affordable through state government-based exchanges with subsidies. This in turn leads to more accessible medical insurance, especially for the formerly uninsured. As a result, anyone who experiences sudden and acute bodily harm, such as in a vehicle crash, will not have to rely on potentially insufficient auto insurance coverage or low-income drivers to get the care they need.

While the health care reform legislation is being implemented, it is recommended that motorists in states like California consider purchasing more comprehensive auto insurance policies with higher payout limits to protect themselves from personal financial liability. In the near future, though, car accident victims will have somewhere to transfer the burden of expensive medical treatment following a serious injury.

If you or a loved one was recently injured in a vehicle crash and you have questions about who to go to for assistance, contact a California personal injury attorney. A local lawyer will know the standard procedures for dealing with auto and medical insurance companies and may be able to help you receive compensation for your pain and suffering, lost wages and medical expenses.

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