Passenger vehicle crashes in Maryland can be bad, but truck crashes can be exponentially worse. If you were hurt in a truck crash and did not cause the accident, you could be overwhelmed with medical bills and much more.
This article explains who may be required to cover medical bills in a trucking accident. If you have been in a tractor-trailer crash and have injuries and damages, a Maryland truck accident lawyer at Pinder Plotkin can help you.
You’re Responsible for Medical Bills After a Truck Accident…
First, understand that you’re required legally to pay medical bills and expenses related to motor vehicle accidents in Maryland. Therefore, you must ensure that your medical providers are paid for their services. That said, where the funds come from after a truck accident depends on who was at fault.…But the At-Fault Driver Is Ultimately Responsible for Medical Payments
Fortunately, Maryland has a fault-based system of auto insurance. This means any damages and losses that you incur in a motor vehicle accident are the responsibility of the liable driver or company. If the truck driver caused the accident, the trucking company’s insurance provider would most likely pay your expenses. Your Maryland truck accident attorney will represent you before the insurance company in an attempt to reach a fair financial settlement. If the insurance company doesn’t offer fair compensation, your attorney may file a personal injury lawsuit against the trucking company. Also, Maryland law allows you to purchase Personal Injury Protection (PIP). This is a form of ‘no fault’ add-on coverage on your insurance policy. You can waive this coverage, even if the trucker caused the wreck. PIP pays for a few thousand dollars of your initial medical bills and lost income. This coverage offers a cushion while waiting for a financial settlement. Assuming the trucker or trucking company is liable for the accident, their insurance companies would reimburse your auto insurance provider when the case settles. Also, your health insurance may initially pay most of your medical expenses. It would also be reimbursed by the at-fault driver’s or entity’s insurance company.Who Can You Sue After a Maryland Truck Crash?
As noted earlier, the at-fault driver is ultimately responsible in Maryland for paying your medical bills after a truck accident. However, unlike most passenger vehicle crashes, tractor-trailer accidents can have multiple liable parties, not just drivers. Possible liable parties in Maryland truck crashes include:- The tractor-trailer driver
- The trucking or manufacturing company
- The company that manufactured the truck
- The manufacturer of truck parts
- The company that loaded or shipped the cargo