If you were injured in a car crash in Bushwick, your medical bills can add up quickly, especially if your injuries are serious. In New York, all drivers are required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) as part of their car insurance coverage. PIP is designed to cover your own medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who caused the crash. However, with rising healthcare costs, it’s not uncommon for accident victims to exceed their PIP limits. When that happens, there are other potential sources of coverage.

Understanding PIP Coverage in New York

Under New York’s no-fault insurance system, your car insurance policy must include at least $50,000 in PIP coverage. This pays for economic losses—like hospital bills, medical treatment, and lost income—without requiring you to prove that someone else was at fault. Whether your car was rear-ended on Flushing Avenue or you were struck while driving near Myrtle–Wyckoff, your PIP benefits are available to you right away.

However, $50,000 can be used up quickly. A few days in a Brooklyn hospital or a single surgery may leave you with little to no PIP coverage left. Some hospitals in the city charge $3,000 to $6,000 per day for inpatient care, not including diagnostic tests, surgeries, or rehabilitation.

You May Have Additional PIP or Optional Coverage

Your auto insurance may offer Additional PIP (APIP) or Optional Basic Economic Loss (OBEL) coverage, which provides higher benefit limits. These are add-ons you must elect when purchasing your policy. If you opted for this supplemental coverage, it may help bridge the gap once your basic $50,000 PIP limit is exhausted.

While these options increase your premium, they can be critical after a serious injury. If you purchased APIP or OBEL coverage before your crash, your lawyer can help file claims for these added benefits.

Health Insurance May Help Cover Excess Medical Costs

After PIP is maxed out, your health insurance typically becomes the next payer for your medical bills. If your health insurance pays for treatment that was related to the accident, they may assert a medical lien on your injury settlement. This means your health insurer may seek reimbursement from any compensation you receive from the at-fault driver or their insurance.

An experienced Bushwick car accident lawyer can help ensure these liens are handled properly and may even negotiate them down so you keep more of your settlement.

You May Be Able to Negotiate With Healthcare Providers

If you don’t have health insurance—or if you’re facing significant out-of-pocket expenses—your lawyer may be able to negotiate directly with hospitals or doctors. Some providers may agree to delay payment until your personal injury claim is resolved and accept a lien on your future settlement.

Others may offer payment plans if you are unable to pay upfront. These arrangements are more likely to succeed if you have legal representation showing that a recovery is likely.

Seeking Compensation from the At-Fault Driver

If another driver caused your crash—whether they were speeding down Broadway or failed to yield on Knickerbocker Avenue—you may be eligible to pursue a third-party claim for full compensation. New York law allows you to step outside the no-fault system if you’ve suffered a “serious injury” under Insurance Law § 5102(d). This can include:

  • Fractures
  • Significant disfigurement
  • Permanent loss of use of a body part or organ
  • Injury that prevents you from performing your usual daily activities for at least 90 days out of the first 180 days after the accident

If you qualify, you can file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance to recover medical expenses not covered by PIP, lost wages, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

Additionally, your auto insurer may seek subrogation—a process where they recover what they paid in PIP benefits from the at-fault driver’s insurer. This won’t affect your recovery but underscores why liability matters in serious cases.

Contact the Bushwick Car Accident Lawyers at Rubenstein & Rynecki Today to Discuss Your Medical Bills and How They Relate to Your Car Insurance Coverage

When you need help from a lawyer in the aftermath of a motor vehicle crash, contact the experienced Bushwick car accident lawyers at Rubenstein & Rynecki. We are standing by and ready to help. To schedule a free consultation, contact us online or call 718-522-1020. Located in Brooklyn, New York, we proudly serve clients throughout New York City, including The Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.