Pedestrian accidents are far too common in Minnesota and across the nation, and oftentimes they can result in significant injuries. These injuries can lead to large medical bills, and you might be wondering if you are on the hook to pay them or if they are someone else’s responsibility. In today’s blog, we explain who is expected to pay for medical expenses after a pedestrian accident in Minnesota, and what you should do if you ever find yourself the victim of a pedestrian accident.
Pedestrian Accidents And Medical Bills
As we’ve mentioned on the blog in the past, Minnesota is considered a No-Fault state, meaning that in the event of a car accident, you’ll file an insurance claim through your automobile insurance provider. But what if you weren’t driving, and instead were struck by a driver while you were walking as a pedestrian? Would you be able to file a claim through their insurance?
Thankfully, you won’t have to deal with the other person’s insurance company because your automobile insurance includes coverage known as “personal injury protection” or PIP. This provides coverage for individuals injured in an automobile accident, and even though you were not driving, being struck by a vehicle means the incident is classified as an automobile accident.
If you don’t have automobile insurance, you’re not out of luck. If you don’t have coverage, you will be able to collect through a relative that has automobile insurance if you live with that person. If you don’t live with a relative that has automobile insurance, you can file a claim with the insurance company of the owner of the vehicle that struck you.
Compensation amounts can vary for each individual case, but your PIP benefits will pay for the following expenses if you are struck as a pedestrian:
Medical Expenses – Your insurance provider will cover necessary medical expenses up to $20,000 after your accident.
Lost Wages – The policy also can cover up to $20,000 in lost wages.
Services And Mileage – If you need to travel to and from appointments, your policy can reimburse you for travel expenses to medical appointments. They can also pay for the cost of some assistive services if you can no longer perform some essential daily duties, like cooking, driving or caring for your children.
PIP is required as part of an automobile policy in Minnesota, and you need at least $40,000 in PIP coverage, hence the two $20,000 allotments above. You can purchase a policy that has more than the minimum amount, depending on what your insurance provider is offering.
What If My Injuries Exceed $40,000?
So while most people have $20,000 in medical bill coverage and $20,000 in lost wage protection, what if your bills or your lost wages add up to more than those amounts? In those instances, you’ll want to connect with a personal injury firm like Hey Workers. That’s because you’ll need to file a personal injury lawsuit with the at-fault driver, and these cases can be extremely complex, which is why you’ll want a professional in your corner.
In these cases, you’ll be filing a claim against the driver’s liability policy. Your lawyer will work with you to put forth the strongest case possible that showcases the full extent of your injuries and asks for a fair compensation amount. We’ll also be able to analyze any potential settlement offer to ensure you don’t end up accepting any lowball offer from the insurance company. We’ll get you the compensation you deserve while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
So if you need help collecting compensation after a pedestrian accident, or you need to file a claim against a driver because you were struck while walking or running, reach out to the experienced injury attorneys at Hey workers to see what we can do for you.
