Who Pays for Medical Bills After a Truck Accident?

Being injured in a truck accident is overwhelming. Between the pain, doctor visits, and time off work, one big question looms: Who pays for medical bills in a truck accident? If you’re in Maryland, the answer depends on multiple factors, including insurance policies, liability laws, and the severity of your injuries. But the first source will usually be your good ole’ friend PIP – a friend you probably didn’t even know you had.

At Southern Maryland Law, we understand how frustrating and confusing this process can be. The good news is that there are ways to cover your medical expenses and protect your financial future. Below, we explain PIP insurance, break down the different options available, and explain how Maryland’s laws impact your ability to seek compensation.

How Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Helps Cover Immediate Medical Bills

Maryland law requires auto insurance companies to offer Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. This is part of your own insurance policy that covers you if you are in an accident – even when it wasn’t your fault.

PIP helps pay for medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who caused the accident. The standard PIP coverage is $2,500, but some policies offer higher limits. You can get more PIP, and since it is cheap, we recommend you do that.

Learn about how to pay for medical care after any sort of truck accident or car accident case here.

PIP pays for your medical care (and also lost wages) up to the limits of your coverage. You submit a claim for it with your own insurance, and then submit medical bills, and they pay the provider directly, or sometimes they pay you so you can pay the bills. If you retain us, we will handle this entire process to make sure everyone gets paid and nobody is coming after you later.

PIP coverage can help with:

• Emergency room visits,
• Hospital stays,
• Surgeries,
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy, and
• Lost wages due to injury recovery.

However, if you waive PIP coverage when purchasing your policy, you cannot access these benefits. Review your policy or speak with an attorney to understand your options if you’re unsure about your coverage.

Who Pays for Medical Bills in a Truck Accident?

While PIP offers short-term relief, it often isn’t enough to cover the full extent of medical expenses in serious truck accidents. Ultimately, the at-fault party is responsible for covering your medical bills, but the process of recovering compensation is more complicated than it may seem.

In a nutshell, the adverse driver’s insurance company will give you one check covering all of your damages – medical bills, lost wages, and your non economic damages (sometimes called “pain and suffering”). You have to cover your own expenses until the case is over. So you can use PIP and your own health insurance.

Potentially Liable Parties in a Truck Accident

Commercial trucking is a highly regulated industry, from driver training and hours on the road to required vehicle checks and maintenance. Unlike regular car accidents, truck accidents often involve multiple parties who may be responsible, including:

• The truck driver. If the driver was negligent (e.g., speeding, distracted, or fatigued), their insurance may be responsible for your medical bills.
• The trucking company. Many trucking companies are liable for their drivers’ actions, especially if they fail to enforce safety regulations or pressure drivers to meet unrealistic schedules.
• The truck manufacturer. The manufacturer could be responsible if a mechanical failure, such as faulty brakes or tires, contributed to the accident.
• Other third parties. Additional parties may share liability if hazardous road conditions or another driver’s actions caused the crash.

Determining liability will inform who pays for medical bills in a truck accident. It requires a thorough investigation, as insurance companies will often fight to minimize their payouts. This is why having an attorney on your side is essential.

How to Recover Compensation for Medical Bills

If another party was responsible for your truck accident, you have legal options to recover your medical expenses. If you are injured in a truck accident, you should seek the advice of an attorney immediately. The consultation is free. These cases get complicated. Don’t try to handle them on your own. That said, here are the main ways to seek compensation.

To get your PIP, you usually have to ask your own insurance company to set up a PIP claim. They will guide you on how to fill out the application and make a claim. It isn’t particularly hard, but it is tedious and you can mess it up. So be careful doing it (or hire us and we will do it for you free of charge. We don’t charge extra to handle PIP claims.)

Filing a Claim Against the At-Fault Party’s Insurance

If another driver or trucking company caused the crash, their insurance should cover your medical bills. However, insurers often try to delay or deny claims. To strengthen your case, gather as much evidence as possible as early as possible, including accident reports, witness statements, and medical records.

Using Your Health Insurance

If your PIP coverage runs out or you don’t have it, your health insurance can help cover the remaining medical expenses. However, remember that if you later receive a settlement, your insurer may require reimbursement for what they paid. This is known as a lien, and federal law allows every health insurer to make a lien on your personal injury case. Read all about liens at that link. This is just one of many reasons these cases get complicated and you don’t want to handle it on your own.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

If the at-fault party lacks sufficient insurance coverage, your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can help pay your bills. Maryland requires insurers to offer this coverage, but it’s optional for drivers, so check your policy to see if you have it. We wrote a detailed explanation of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage here.

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

If insurance doesn’t fully cover your damages, you may need to file a lawsuit. A personal injury claim can help recover compensation for:

• Past and future medical expenses,
• Lost wages,
• Pain and suffering, and
• Rehabilitation costs.

An experienced truck accident attorney can help you navigate the legal system, determine who pays for medical bills in a truck accident, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Don’t try to litigate against a trucking company by yourself. That is way too complicated.

Maryland’s Contributory Negligence Rule and Its Impact on Your Claim

Maryland follows a pure contributory negligence rule, meaning that you may be barred from recovering compensation if you are found even 1% at fault for the accident. Insurance companies often try to use this to avoid paying claims.

This rule makes it especially important to work with a Waldorf truck accident lawyer who can build a strong case proving you were not responsible for the crash. Evidence such as traffic camera footage, witness testimony, and expert accident reconstruction can help establish fault.

Why You Need an Attorney for a Truck Accident Claim

Truck accident claims are far more complex than typical car accident cases. Between dealing with multiple insurance companies, trucking regulations, and Maryland’s strict contributory negligence law, navigating the legal system alone can be overwhelming.

Having an experienced truck accident attorney can help you:

• Investigate the accident thoroughly,
• Identify all liable parties,
• Handle insurance negotiations,
• File a lawsuit if necessary, and
• Maximize your compensation.

At Southern Maryland Law, we have been helping truck accident victims in Waldorf and Lexington Park for decades. We understand the challenges you face and are here to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Don’t Let Medical Bills Overwhelm You

​​After a truck accident, worrying about medical bills should be the last thing on your mind. While PIP and health insurance can offer immediate relief, holding the at-fault party accountable is crucial for financial recovery.

Contact Southern Maryland Law today if you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and help you take the next steps toward getting the compensation you need. You focus on healing—we’ll handle the rest.

With over 60 years of experience in Waldorf and a reputation for treating our clients like family, we know what it takes to get results. Unlike larger firms, we prioritize personal attention and real solutions tailored to your unique situation. When you choose Southern Maryland Law, you’re not just getting a lawyer—you’re gaining a trusted advocate who will stand by you every step of the way.

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