How Will I Pay My Medical Bills After Being Injured by an Uninsured Driver?
Posted on: June 7, 2025
Accidents involving uninsured drivers present a serious financial concern for those who suffer injuries. Without an insurance company to provide compensation for medical expenses, you might be left wondering how to handle mounting hospital bills, ambulance fees, prescription costs, and follow-up treatments. Becoming informed about your legal options helps you approach these situations with clarity and purpose.
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is a provision that can be included in your own auto insurance policy. It is designed to protect you in the event you are injured in a crash caused by a driver who does not carry liability insurance.
If you have UM coverage, you can file a claim with your own insurance company. The amount available depends on the limits you selected when the policy was purchased. Even if the at-fault driver cannot pay out of pocket, your UM coverage can help cover medical treatment, lost wages, and other injury-related costs.
Can My Own Health Insurance Be Used to Pay Bills?
Health insurance can be a source of payment after a collision with an uninsured driver. Your medical provider may submit bills to your health insurance plan once it is clear that no auto liability policy will cover the expenses. Deductibles, copays, and network limitations will still apply, so there may still be out-of-pocket costs.
In many cases, your health insurance will not pay unless all auto-related coverage options have been exhausted. This includes personal injury protection (PIP) and any applicable UM coverage. Understanding the order in which these policies apply can prevent unnecessary delays in receiving medical treatment.
What Role Does Personal Injury Protection Play in New Jersey?
New Jersey requires drivers to carry personal injury protection (PIP) as part of their auto insurance policy. This coverage is designed to pay for medical expenses resulting from an accident, regardless of who was at fault. If you were injured by an uninsured driver, your PIP benefits may still apply.
PIP typically covers hospital visits, doctor appointments, diagnostic tests, rehabilitation, and, in some cases, lost income. The limits on your PIP coverage determine how much is available. Once those limits are met, you may need to rely on other insurance or pursue legal options to recover remaining expenses.
Can I Sue the Uninsured Driver?
In theory, it is possible to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. However, these cases can be difficult when the driver has no insurance, as they often lack the financial resources to pay a judgment. Even if a court awards damages, collecting the funds can prove challenging and time-consuming.
Before pursuing litigation, it may be worth evaluating whether the uninsured driver has assets that could be used to pay a settlement or verdict. A car accident lawyer can determine if this path is likely to be productive. In many situations, the more practical course of action involves using your own coverage.
Passengers Insured by Uninsured Drivers
Passengers injured by an uninsured driver may have additional options depending on the circumstances. If the passenger has their own auto insurance policy, they may be able to file a claim under their PIP or UM coverage. If not, the insurance policy of a family member living in the same household might apply.
In some cases, the passenger may qualify for benefits under the policy of the vehicle’s owner or driver. This all depends on the insurance contracts and legal relationships between the parties involved. Medical expenses can sometimes be recovered through more than one policy, depending on the situation.
Our Experienced Freehold Car Accident Lawyers at Ellis Law Offer Free Legal Consultations
Pursuing compensation for injuries caused by car accidents can cause considerable frustration and financial strain. The Ellis Law legal team can evaluate your coverage and legal options during a free legal consultation. To schedule a free consultation, call our Freehold, New Jersey office at 732-308-0200 or submit our online form. Our Freehold car accident lawyers represent clients in Asbury Park, East Brunswick, Toms River, Middletown, Jersey City, Long Branch, Neptune, Hudson County, Union County, Essex County, Monmouth County, Marlboro, and Ocean County, as well as Brooklyn and New York City.
