Being involved in a car accident can be a frightening experience. In the moments after an accident, adrenaline can take over and you might find that you feel okay while at the scene. However, once the initial shock from the accident wears off, you may find that you are injured or that you are in pain. If you have been injured and you need medical treatment, it is important for you to know where payments for treatment might come from.
Ontario residents are lucky enough to have a good deal of their medical treatment covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). If you attend a hospital emergency department after your accident, for example, then your treatment there will likely be covered.
However, some forms of treatment are not covered by OHIP. If you need further treatment for injuries you have suffered in a car accident, and this treatment is not covered by OHIP, then you should contact your car insurance provider.
Your own insurer is responsible for paying “no-fault” accident benefits which can include medical and rehabilitation benefits. If you are injured in a car accident, your insurer must pay for medical treatment that is “reasonable and necessary” – no matter who was at fault for the accident.
There are both monetary and time limits to the amount of treatment for which your own insurer is required to pay. These limits depend upon the severity of your injuries. If you were not at fault for the accident, and you have exhausted the medical benefits that are available from your own insurer, it may be possible to seek payment for additional treatment from the insurer for the at-fault driver in a claim or a lawsuit.
A personal injury lawyer can help you understand and apply for medical benefits. If you have been injured in a car accident, please feel free to contact me or any member of our Personal Injury Group and we will do our best to assist you.
Cale Harrison, Lawyer
Personal Injury and Litigation Group
Disclaimer: This article is provided as an information resource and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified legal professional and should not be relied upon to make decisions. In all cases, contact your legal professional for advice on any matter referenced in this document before making decisions. Any use of this document does not constitute a lawyer-client relationship.