Hurt in a Car Accident That Was Your Fault? What Ohio Drivers Should Know
Hurt in a Car Accident That Was Your Fault? What Ohio Drivers Should Know
When people think about getting medical care after a car accident, they often picture a driver who was hit by someone else.
But what happens when you caused the crash and you’re the one who is hurting?
Maybe you rear-ended another vehicle. Perhaps you made a mistake at an intersection, lost control on a slick Northeast Ohio road, or were involved in a single-car accident. Now you’re experiencing neck pain, back pain, headaches, stiffness, or another symptom.
You may be wondering:
Can I still get medical treatment if the accident was my fault?
Yes. An at-fault driver can still seek medical care for injuries sustained in a car accident.
At Core Medical Group, we provide car accident injury care for patients throughout Northeast Ohio. Being responsible for a collision doesn’t mean you weren’t injured, and it doesn’t mean you should ignore pain or other symptoms after the crash.
You may also have insurance coverage available through your own automobile policy to help with eligible medical expenses.
Does Being At Fault Affect Your Right to Get Medical Care?
Fault and medical treatment are two different issues.
Determining fault helps establish responsibility for damages caused by an accident. It doesn’t determine whether you experienced an injury.
During a collision, your body may be subjected to sudden acceleration, deceleration, twisting, or impact. These forces can affect the driver who caused the accident just as they can affect passengers and people in another vehicle.
An at-fault driver may experience injuries or symptoms such as:
- Whiplash
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Upper or lower back pain
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee pain
- Muscle strains
- Joint pain
- Headaches
- Numbness or tingling
- Limited range of motion
- Soft tissue injuries
- Concussion symptoms
If you’re hurting after a crash, don’t automatically dismiss those symptoms because you were responsible for the collision.
Who Pays for My Treatment If the Car Accident Was My Fault?
This depends on the insurance coverage you have.
Ohio drivers generally carry liability insurance to address covered injuries and property damage they cause to other people. Liability coverage is not generally intended to pay for the at-fault driver’s own injuries.
However, you may have additional coverage on your auto policy that can potentially help with your medical expenses.
One of the most important coverages to look for is Medical Payments Coverage, commonly called MedPay.
What Is MedPay After an Ohio Car Accident?
MedPay is automobile insurance coverage that can help pay eligible medical expenses resulting from a motor vehicle accident, subject to the terms and limits of the policy.
What makes MedPay particularly relevant to an at-fault driver is that applicable coverage is generally available regardless of who caused the collision.
For example, suppose you accidentally rear-end a vehicle while driving in Northeast Ohio.
Your liability coverage may apply to covered injuries you caused to people in the other vehicle.
Meanwhile, the force of the crash leaves you with neck and shoulder pain.
If your own auto insurance policy includes applicable MedPay coverage, you may have benefits available for eligible medical expenses associated with your injuries, even though you caused the accident.
Coverage varies significantly between policies. Always verify your specific benefits with your insurance carrier.
Can I Use MedPay If I’m the At-Fault Driver?
Potentially, yes.
MedPay generally differs from bodily injury liability coverage because determining fault is not necessarily required for applicable medical benefits.
That means an injured driver may potentially use their own MedPay coverage following an at-fault accident, subject to the policy’s coverage limits, exclusions, and other terms.
Don’t assume you don’t have coverage simply because the police report or insurance company considers you responsible for the crash.
Check your policy first.
How Can I Tell If I Have MedPay?
Start with your auto insurance declarations page.
Look for:
- Medical Payments Coverage
- Medical Payments
- Medical Expense Coverage
- MedPay
If you can’t determine whether you have it, contact your insurance company or agent.
Some helpful questions include:
- Do I have MedPay on my auto insurance policy?
- What is my MedPay coverage limit?
- Does my coverage apply to my injuries from this accident?
- How are medical bills submitted?
- Is there a deadline for reporting or submitting medical expenses?
- What documentation will you need?
Your insurer can explain how your specific policy applies to your accident.
Do I Need a Personal Injury Claim to Get Accident Treatment?
No.
This misconception may prevent at-fault drivers from getting evaluated when they’re injured.
Medical treatment after a car accident isn’t limited to people pursuing a claim against another driver.
You don’t need to have a lawsuit against someone else simply to receive medical care.
If you caused the collision, there may not be another at-fault driver’s insurance policy available to pay your medical expenses. However, your own MedPay, health insurance, or other payment options may potentially apply depending on your circumstances.
How your treatment is paid for and whether you medically need treatment are separate questions.
What If I Was Hurt in a Single-Car Accident?
At-fault driver injuries aren’t limited to crashes involving another vehicle.
Northeast Ohio drivers may be injured after:
- Sliding off a snowy or icy roadway
- Losing control in heavy rain
- Hitting a deer
- Striking a guardrail
- Hitting a stationary object
- Swerving to avoid another vehicle or road hazard
A single-car accident can still expose your body to significant forces.
Even without another driver involved, you may experience neck pain, back pain, joint injuries, headaches, or other symptoms afterward.
Your ability to use auto insurance for your own medical expenses will depend on the coverage included in your policy.
What If I Felt Fine Right After the Accident?
Don’t assume that feeling okay immediately after a crash means you’re definitely injury-free.
The stress and excitement surrounding an accident can make it difficult to recognize every symptom immediately. Pain and stiffness may also become more noticeable later.
You might notice:
- Increasing neck stiffness
- Back pain the following morning
- Persistent headaches
- Shoulder soreness
- Knee or hip pain
- Muscle tenderness
- Difficulty moving normally
- Numbness or tingling
- Dizziness or concentration problems
Pay attention to new, persistent, or worsening symptoms after an accident.
Some symptoms can indicate a potentially serious injury and require emergency medical attention. Seek appropriate emergency care for symptoms such as loss of consciousness, severe or rapidly worsening headache, confusion, difficulty breathing, significant weakness, or other potentially life-threatening problems.
Don’t Let Guilt Stop You From Addressing an Injury
Causing a car accident can come with a lot of emotions.
You may feel embarrassed about what happened. You might be worried about the other people involved. You may be angry with yourself for making a mistake.
Some drivers even convince themselves that because the crash was their fault, they should simply tolerate their own pain.
But feeling responsible for the accident doesn’t change what happened to your body.
You can take responsibility for causing a collision while still taking care of your health.
Ignoring pain doesn’t undo the accident.
Frequently Asked Questions About At-Fault Car Accident Injury Care
Can I get medical treatment if I caused a car accident in Ohio?
Yes. Being responsible for a collision does not prevent you from seeking evaluation and treatment for your own injuries.
Will my auto insurance pay for my injuries if I’m at fault?
It depends on your coverage. Liability insurance generally addresses covered injuries you cause to others. MedPay may potentially help with your own eligible medical expenses regardless of fault if you have that coverage.
Is MedPay available after an at-fault accident?
Potentially. Medical Payments Coverage is generally designed to provide applicable benefits regardless of who caused the collision. Your individual insurance policy determines whether coverage applies.
What if I don’t know whether I have MedPay?
Check the declarations page of your auto insurance policy or contact your insurance carrier or agent and ask specifically about Medical Payments Coverage.
Can I get car accident injury care without an attorney?
Yes. You don’t need to have a personal injury lawsuit or attorney simply to seek medical evaluation and treatment. Consult a qualified attorney if you have questions about your specific legal rights following an accident.
Can I be injured even if my car wasn’t badly damaged?
Vehicle damage alone doesn’t determine whether an occupant sustained an injury. If you develop new or persistent symptoms following a collision, consider getting evaluated.
Car Accident Injury Care at Core Medical Group
If you’re experiencing pain after an accident you caused, don’t assume you have to deal with it on your own.
At Core Medical Group, we provide car accident injury evaluations and care for patients throughout Northeast Ohio.
Depending on your condition and individual needs, appropriate care may include chiropractic care, physical rehab, diagnostic evaluation, and other accident injury treatment options.
If you were responsible for the collision, check your auto insurance policy for Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay). You may have benefits available that you didn’t realize could apply to your own accident-related medical expenses.
Then focus on the question that matters most for your health:
Were you injured?
You don’t have to be the driver who was hit to be hurt in a car accident.
If you’re experiencing neck pain, back pain, headaches, stiffness, or other symptoms following a Northeast Ohio crash, contact Core Medical Group to schedule an injury evaluation.
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At fault in an Ohio car accident? Learn about MedPay and injury treatment options from Core Medical Group for injured Northeast Ohio drivers.
