Does Fault Matter When Getting Treatment After a Car Accident?
Does Fault Matter When Getting Treatment After a Car Accident?
You were involved in a car accident, and you believe you caused it.
Now you’re experiencing neck pain, back pain, headaches, stiffness, or another symptom. But instead of scheduling an evaluation, you hesitate.
Can you even get treatment if the car accident was your fault?
Yes.
Being responsible for a collision does not prevent you from seeking medical care for injuries you sustained in the accident. The question of who caused the crash and the question of whether you were injured are two separate matters.
At Ohio Healthcare Partners, we provide car accident injury evaluations and care for patients throughout Northeast Ohio. If you’re experiencing pain after a collision, don’t assume that being the at-fault driver means you have to ignore your injuries.
Depending on your automobile insurance policy, you may also have your own coverage available to help with eligible medical expenses after a crash.
Can You Get Medical Treatment After Causing a Car Accident?
Yes. At-fault drivers can seek medical treatment for their own accident injuries.
A collision can subject everyone inside a vehicle to significant physical forces.
Your seat belt may restrain your body while your head and neck continue moving. Your knees can strike the dashboard. You may brace against the steering wheel or experience rapid twisting or movement of the spine.
None of those forces disappear because you caused the accident.
An at-fault driver can experience:
- Whiplash
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee pain
- Headaches
- Muscle strains
- Sprains
- Joint stiffness
- Numbness or tingling
- Reduced range of motion
- Soft tissue injuries
- Concussion symptoms
If you develop new or persistent symptoms following a crash, your role in causing the accident shouldn’t be the reason you ignore them.
If the Accident Was My Fault, Will Insurance Cover My Treatment?
That depends on the insurance coverage you purchased and the circumstances of your accident.
Auto liability insurance generally applies to eligible injuries and property damage you cause to other people.
Your own injuries are different.
One type of automobile insurance coverage that may be especially important for an injured at-fault driver is Medical Payments Coverage, commonly known as MedPay.
What Is MedPay?
MedPay is optional automobile insurance coverage that may help pay eligible medical expenses resulting from a motor vehicle accident, subject to the terms and limits of the policy.
The important part for an at-fault driver is this:
Applicable MedPay benefits are generally not dependent on who caused the accident.
Suppose you accidentally rear-end another vehicle while driving in Northeast Ohio.
Your liability coverage may address eligible injuries you caused to people in the other vehicle. But the collision also leaves you with significant neck, back, or shoulder pain.
If your policy includes applicable Medical Payments Coverage, you may have benefits available for eligible medical expenses related to your own injuries.
Because auto policies vary, always confirm your individual benefits with your insurance company.
Can MedPay Be Used When You Caused the Crash?
Potentially, yes.
Unlike liability coverage, MedPay is generally designed to provide applicable medical benefits without first determining that another driver caused your injuries.
This can make it particularly relevant when:
- You rear-ended another vehicle
- You were cited after a collision
- You caused an intersection accident
- You lost control of your vehicle
- You were injured in a single-car crash
- There is no other at-fault driver’s insurance available for your injuries
Whether a particular medical expense is covered will depend on your individual policy.
How Do I Find Out If I Have MedPay in Ohio?
Check your automobile insurance declarations page.
Look for terms such as:
- Medical Payments
- Medical Payments Coverage
- Medical Expense
- MedPay
If you’re unsure, contact your insurance carrier or agent and ask directly.
A helpful question is:
“Does my auto insurance policy include Medical Payments Coverage for my own injuries after an accident?”
If you have MedPay, also ask about your coverage limit, eligible expenses, documentation requirements, and the process for submitting medical bills.
Don’t assume you’re ineligible simply because you caused the collision.
Can I Get Treatment Without Suing Another Driver?
Yes.
Getting medical treatment and filing a personal injury lawsuit are not the same thing.
You don’t need another driver to be responsible for the accident before you can seek medical evaluation for your own injuries.
For at-fault drivers, this distinction is especially important.
You may not have another driver’s liability insurance available to pay your medical expenses, but that doesn’t mean you cannot receive treatment. Your own auto insurance coverage, health insurance, or other payment options may potentially apply depending on your circumstances.
What About Single-Car Accidents?
You can be injured in a car accident even when no other vehicle is involved.
In Northeast Ohio, single-car accidents can happen for many reasons.
You might:
- Slide on snow or ice
- Lose control in heavy rain
- Hit a deer
- Strike a guardrail
- Leave the roadway
- Hit a stationary object
- Swerve to avoid a road hazard
A collision with a guardrail can hurt your neck just as a collision with another vehicle can. Your back doesn’t know whether you hit another car or a stationary object.
If you’re injured in a single-vehicle accident, review your own automobile policy to determine whether you have MedPay or other applicable coverage.
What If My Pain Didn’t Start Until Hours After the Crash?
Car accident symptoms aren’t always obvious immediately.
At the scene, you may be focused on calling police, checking on other people, exchanging insurance information, arranging a tow, and figuring out how you’re going to get home.
Later that evening or the following morning, you may notice:
- Neck stiffness
- Lower back pain
- Shoulder soreness
- Headaches
- Knee pain
- Muscle tenderness
- Difficulty moving normally
- Numbness or tingling
- Dizziness
- Difficulty concentrating
New, persistent, or worsening symptoms following an accident shouldn’t automatically be dismissed.
Certain symptoms may require immediate emergency attention. Seek appropriate emergency care for loss of consciousness, severe or worsening headache, confusion, significant weakness, difficulty breathing, or other potentially serious symptoms.
Should I Feel Guilty About Getting Treatment If I Caused the Accident?
Guilt is one reason some at-fault drivers put off addressing their injuries.
You may be worried about the people in the other vehicle. You may feel embarrassed about what happened. You might even believe that because you caused the accident, you shouldn’t be concerned about your own pain.
But these are separate issues.
Taking responsibility for an accident does not mean neglecting your health.
You can acknowledge that you made a mistake while also recognizing that your body experienced the same collision.
Getting evaluated doesn’t erase responsibility for what happened.
It simply means you’re paying attention to your health.
Frequently Asked Questions About At-Fault Driver Treatment in Ohio
Can I see a healthcare provider if the car accident was my fault?
Yes. Being responsible for an accident does not prevent you from seeking medical evaluation or treatment for your injuries.
Who pays my medical bills if I caused the accident?
It depends on your insurance coverage. Liability insurance generally addresses covered injuries you cause to others. Your own MedPay, health insurance, or other available payment options may potentially apply to your medical expenses.
Does MedPay cover an at-fault driver?
MedPay is generally designed to provide applicable medical benefits regardless of fault, subject to your policy’s terms, exclusions, and coverage limits.
Is MedPay required for Ohio drivers?
MedPay is generally optional coverage. Review your auto insurance declarations page or contact your insurer to determine whether it is included in your policy.
Do I need a lawyer before getting car accident treatment?
You do not need to have a lawsuit or personal injury claim simply to seek medical treatment. If you have questions about your specific legal rights following a collision, consult a qualified attorney.
Can I receive treatment after a one-car accident?
Yes. Single-car crashes can cause significant injuries. Your available insurance benefits will depend on your individual policies and circumstances.
What if I caused the accident but wasn’t cited?
A traffic citation and your need for medical care are separate issues. If you’re experiencing new or persistent symptoms after a collision, consider getting evaluated.
Car Accident Injury Care at Ohio Healthcare Partners
If you’re hurting after an accident you caused, don’t make the mistake of assuming that medical care is only available to the other driver.
At Ohio Healthcare Partners, we provide car accident injury evaluations and care for patients throughout Northeast Ohio.
Depending on your injuries and individual needs, appropriate care may include chiropractic care, physical rehab, diagnostic evaluation, and other accident injury treatment options.
If you believe you were responsible for the collision, check your auto insurance policy for Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay) and speak with your insurer about your available benefits.
Most importantly, remember:
Fault answers who was responsible for the crash. It doesn’t answer whether you were injured.
If you’re experiencing neck pain, back pain, headaches, stiffness, numbness, tingling, or other symptoms after an Ohio car accident, contact Ohio Healthcare Partners to schedule an injury evaluation.
