|
What Is Covered By No-Fault Insurance?
No-Fault insurance provides for payment of Chiropractic and other medical expenses, wage loss, medical mileage, replacement services and, in some cases, retraining, regardless of who was at-fault in causing the accident.
Am I Covered By No-Fault Insurance?
If you are a named insured on an automobile insurance policy; a resident-relative of a person who has automobile insurance (such as a parent); a passenger in a vehicle insured in Minnesota; or, a pedestrian struck by an automobile, you most likely have a right to no-fault benefits.
Will No-Fault Pay My Chiropractic Bills?
No-Fault insurance is very similar to private health insurance. Minnesota law provides that as long as your injury arises out of the maintenance or use of a motor vehicle, your own automobile insurance company pays your Chiropractic and medical expenses.
Is There a Cap On No-Fault Benefits?
You are entitled to a maximum of $20,000 for Chiropractic treatment, other medical treatment, and medical mileage expenses.
You are entitled to a maximum of $20,000 in wage loss and replacement services (such as household help).
If a person entitled to No-Fault benefits dies from injuries within one year of the accident date, surviving dependants are entitled to loss of income benefits, replacement services, and funeral benefits.
What About My Lost Wages And Disability?
In addition to paying Chiropractic and medical bills, your insurance company must pay for lost wages. Wage loss is paid at 85% of gross wage, up to a maximum of $250 per week.
What If I'm Not Able To Do Things Around My Home?
If you need to hire people because of your injuries, your insurance company must pay for those charges up to $200 per week.
How Do I Begin The Process To Collect No-Fault Benefits?
After you report the automobile accident to your insurer, your agent will send you an application for benefits. Once you complete the form and return it to your insurance company, they will begin paying your medical providers directly. Please note that claims for No-Fault benefits must be filed within 6 months of the accident.
What If My Insurance Company Doesn't Pay?
Your No-Fault insurer is required to pay your benefits and mileage expenses within 30 days after the bills have been submitted.
Can My No-Fault Benefits be Terminated?
Unfortunately, some insurance companies attempt to terminate No-Fault benefits to save costs. Generally, this happens when:
The insurance company has you undergo an Independent Medical Examination and the doctor concludes that further Chiropractic and/or medical care is not necessary; or,
You do not receive Chiropractic or medical treatment for a period of 12 consecutive months.
NOTE
If you are scheduled for an Independent Medical Examination, it is important that you contact an attorney immediately to fully understand your legal rights.
What If I Continue Chiropractic Or Medical Treatment After The Independent Medical Examination?
If the amount of your bills do not exceed $10,000, you have the legal right to request that medical expenses and other No-Fault benefits, that have not been paid by the insurance company, be submitted for arbitration.
How Do I Make A Claim Against the At-Fault Driver?
The Minnesota No-Fault Law sets forth thresholds that need to be met before an individual can be compensated for pain, suffering, loss of earning capacity, and other general damages. A claim for general damages can be made when any one of the following occurs:
You have a permanent injury;
You have permanent disfigurement (such as scars);
The sum of medical and/or Chiropractic treatment exceeds $4,000;
Disability of 60 days or more; or,
The injuries cause death.
What If The At-Fault Driver Was Not Insured Or Was Under-insured?
In cases where the driver of the other vehicle did not have automobile insurance or his insurance does not fully compensate you for your losses, you can collect damages from your own insurance policy under the "uninsured motorist" and/or "under-insured motorist" coverage. These types of coverage are mandatory in Minnesota.
How Much Will It Cost To Retain An Attorney?
Work is performed on a contingency-fee basis and a fee charged a recovery is made. There is no charge for a consultation.
What If I Don?t Have A Case?
There is a fee only if a recovery is made.
Do I Need An Attorney?
You should contact an attorney if you are unclear or uncertain about your rights and the benefits available to you under the Minnesota No-Fault Act;
You should contact an attorney immediately if the collision was caused by an alcohol impaired driver. These types of cases have "notice" requirements that an attorney will need to serve in order to preserve your claim.
You should contact an attorney if there is a dispute over who was at-fault in causing the accident.
You should contact an attorney if you have been scheduled for an Independent Medical Examination.
How Should I Proceed?
If you've been injured in a car accident, call my office today to arrange for a free consultation.
| 
