I Caused a Car Accident and I’m Hurt. Can I Still Get Treatment?

You made a mistake behind the wheel, and now you’re dealing with the consequences of a car accident.

Maybe you rear-ended someone in traffic. You misjudged an intersection. You lost control on a slick Northeast Ohio road. Whatever happened, you believe you were responsible for the crash.

But now your neck hurts. Your back is sore. You’re having headaches, or your shoulder and knee are starting to bother you.

So, what happens when you caused the car accident but you’re injured, too?

Here’s the most important thing to understand:

You can still seek medical treatment after an at-fault car accident.

Fault may affect how insurance claims are handled, but it doesn’t determine whether you were physically injured. At Euclid Medical Group, we provide car accident injury evaluations and care for patients in Euclid, eastern Cuyahoga County, Greater Cleveland, and surrounding Northeast Ohio communities.

If you’re hurting after a crash, don’t automatically assume you have no options simply because you caused the collision.

Can You Get Medical Care If a Car Accident Was Your Fault?

Yes. An at-fault driver can receive medical treatment for injuries sustained in a car accident.

The forces involved in a collision affect the occupants of every vehicle involved.

Even if you caused the accident, sudden impact can force your head, neck, spine, shoulders, knees, and other areas of your body through rapid or unnatural movements.

You could experience:

• Whiplash and neck pain
• Lower back pain
• Upper back pain
• Shoulder injuries
• Knee injuries
• Headaches
• Muscle strains
• Ligament sprains
• Joint pain and stiffness
• Numbness or tingling
• Reduced range of motion
• Concussion symptoms

The question of who caused the accident doesn’t change the physical forces your body experienced during the crash.

I Caused a Car Accident. Who Pays for My Injuries?

This is one of the most common questions an injured at-fault driver may have.

The answer depends on your individual insurance policies and coverage.

Auto liability insurance generally helps address covered injuries and property damage that you cause to other people. Your own medical expenses may fall under different insurance coverage.

That’s where Medical Payments Coverage, or MedPay, may become important.

What Is MedPay in Ohio?

MedPay is optional automobile insurance coverage that may help pay eligible medical expenses after a motor vehicle accident.

Unlike liability insurance, applicable MedPay benefits generally aren’t based on determining who caused the collision.

That means MedPay may potentially help with eligible medical expenses even when you were the at-fault driver, subject to your policy’s terms, exclusions, and coverage limits.

For someone who caused an accident and doesn’t have another at-fault driver’s insurance to pursue for medical expenses, knowing whether MedPay is included in their own policy can be particularly important.

How Does MedPay Help an At-Fault Driver?

Consider this example.

You’re driving through Cuyahoga County and accidentally rear-end another vehicle. The collision is determined to be your fault.

During the impact, your body moves suddenly against your seat belt and seat. By the next morning, you’re experiencing significant neck and lower back pain.

Your liability insurance may address covered injuries you caused to the occupants of the other vehicle.

But what about you?

If your automobile policy includes Medical Payments Coverage, you may have benefits available for eligible accident-related medical expenses, up to the limits and according to the terms of your policy.

This is why an injured driver shouldn’t automatically assume:

“The accident was my fault, so my insurance won’t help with my injuries.”

Check your actual coverage first.

How Do I Know If I Have MedPay Coverage?

Your auto insurance declarations page is a good place to start.

Look for language such as:

• Medical Payments
• Medical Payments Coverage
• Medical Expense
• MedPay

If you’re still unsure, contact your insurance agent or carrier.

Ask:

“Do I have Medical Payments Coverage for injuries I sustained in this accident?”

You can also ask:

• What is my MedPay limit?
• What medical expenses are eligible?
• How do I submit accident-related medical bills?
• Are there deadlines or notification requirements?
• What documentation does the insurance company need?

Don’t rely on assumptions about your coverage. Get the information directly from your insurer.

Do I Need Another Driver to Be at Fault to Use MedPay?

Generally, no.

One of the primary features of MedPay is that applicable coverage is generally available without determining fault.

That can make it relevant for several types of accidents, including crashes where you may be responsible.

Your individual policy determines exactly what is covered, so always verify benefits with your insurance company.

What If There Wasn’t Another Vehicle Involved?

You don’t need another driver to experience a car accident injury.

Single-vehicle crashes happen throughout Northeast Ohio.

A driver might:

• Slide off a snowy or icy road
• Lose control in heavy rain
• Strike a guardrail
• Hit a pothole or road hazard
• Collide with a stationary object
• Hit a deer

Any significant collision can expose your body to sudden forces capable of causing injury.

If you’re hurt in a single-car accident, check your own auto policy to determine whether you have applicable medical coverage.

What If I Don’t Have a Personal Injury Claim?

You can still seek medical care.

Receiving medical treatment does not require you to have a personal injury lawsuit against somebody else.

If you caused the accident, there may not be another driver against whom you have an injury claim. That doesn’t prevent you from getting evaluated for neck pain, back pain, headaches, joint pain, or other accident-related symptoms.

The method used to pay for that care is a separate issue and will depend on your individual insurance coverage and circumstances.

Why Might an At-Fault Driver Delay Treatment?

A person who caused an accident can have a very different emotional response than someone who was hit by another driver.

Instead of immediately thinking about their injuries, they may be thinking:

“I can’t believe I did this.”

“Is the other driver okay?”

“How much is this going to cost?”

“What’s going to happen to my insurance?”

“I don’t have any right to complain because this was my fault.”

Those thoughts can lead people to ignore their own symptoms.

But responsibility for a collision and the need for medical care are separate issues.

You can take responsibility for causing an accident and still take responsibility for your own health.

Can Car Accident Symptoms Show Up Later?

Yes. Not every injury is immediately obvious following a collision.

After the initial stress of an accident passes, you may begin noticing symptoms such as:

• Increasing neck stiffness
• Back pain
• Muscle soreness
• Headaches
• Shoulder or knee discomfort
• Reduced mobility
• Numbness or tingling
• Dizziness
• Difficulty concentrating

Pay attention to new, persistent, or worsening symptoms rather than dismissing them because you felt okay immediately after the crash.

Serious symptoms may require emergency medical attention. Seek appropriate emergency care for severe headache, loss of consciousness, confusion, significant weakness, difficulty breathing, or other potentially life-threatening symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions About At-Fault Driver Medical Treatment

Can I go to a doctor if I caused the car accident?

Yes. Being at fault does not prevent you from seeking evaluation and treatment for injuries you sustained in the collision.

Can an at-fault driver use MedPay in Ohio?

Potentially. MedPay is generally designed to provide applicable medical benefits regardless of fault. Your individual policy determines your coverage, limits, exclusions, and eligible expenses.

Does Ohio require drivers to carry MedPay?

MedPay is generally optional rather than part of Ohio’s required liability coverage. Review your policy or contact your insurer to determine whether you purchased it.

Can I get treatment without filing a personal injury lawsuit?

Yes. Seeking medical care does not require you to pursue a lawsuit against another driver.

Can I get treatment after a single-car accident?

Yes. A person can sustain significant injuries even when no other vehicle is involved. How the resulting medical expenses are covered will depend on your individual insurance policies.

Should I get evaluated if I’m only sore after the crash?

Persistent, worsening, or new pain following an accident should not automatically be ignored. A healthcare provider can evaluate your symptoms and determine whether additional care is appropriate.

At-Fault Car Accident Injury Care in Euclid and Cuyahoga County

If you’re injured after causing a car accident, you don’t have to ignore your pain because you feel responsible for what happened.

At Euclid Medical Group, we provide car accident injury evaluations and care for patients from Euclid, eastern Cuyahoga County, Greater Cleveland, and surrounding Northeast Ohio communities.

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 caused the crash, take a moment to check your auto insurance policy. Look specifically for Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay) and contact your insurance carrier to find out whether benefits may apply to your accident-related medical expenses.

Most importantly:

Being at fault doesn’t make your injuries any less real.

You may have caused the collision, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore neck pain, back pain, headaches, stiffness, or other symptoms afterward.

If you’re hurting following a car accident in Euclid or Eastern Cuyahoga County, contact Euclid Medical Group to schedule an injury evaluation.