Who Pays for My Injuries After a Car Accident?

If you are injured in a car accident, who pays for your treatment depends on who caused the accident and what insurance coverage you have.

Your own car insurance usually does not pay for your injuries as the driver. However, if another driver caused the accident, you may be able to claim compensation from their insurer. You may also get help from personal accident insurance, medical insurance or PERKESO, depending on your situation.

Here is how each option works.

If Another Driver Caused the Accident

If another driver caused the accident, you may be able to make a third-party bodily injury (TPBI) claim against their insurer.

This applies even if you only have basic third-party car insurance. The other driver’s policy generally covers their legal responsibility for injuries caused to other people.

Depending on your injuries and supporting documents, you may claim for:

• Medical expenses: Hospital bills, medicine, surgery and rehabilitation costs.
• Lost income: Money you could not earn while recovering.
• Future loss of income: If your injuries affect your ability to work in the future.
• Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional effects of your injuries.
• Other related losses: Other costs that may be recognised under the law.

However, compensation is not automatic. The insurer or court will consider the accident, your injuries and the evidence provided.

If you were partly responsible for the accident, your compensation may be reduced based on your share of the blame.

If You Caused the Accident

When you caused the accident and were also injured, your standard car insurance usually will not cover your own medical expenses.

Motor insurance mainly provides protection for third-party liability and damage to your insured vehicle, depending on your policy. It does not automatically provide personal injury benefits to the policyholder.

However, you may still have other ways to manage your medical expenses:

• Personal Accident (PA) insurance.
• Medical or hospitalisation insurance.
• PERKESO, if the accident was work-related or happened during a qualifying journey to or from work.

Therefore, check your other insurance policies before assuming that you must pay all your medical expenses yourself.

Can Personal Accident Insurance Pay for Your Injuries?

Yes, if you have a Personal Accident (PA) policy that covers the accident.

Unlike a third-party injury claim, PA benefits do not usually depend on another driver being at fault. You may still be able to claim even if you caused the accident, as long as the policy conditions are met.

Depending on your plan, PA insurance may provide:

• Accidental death benefits.
• Permanent disability benefits.
• Medical expense reimbursement.
• Hospitalisation benefits.
• Temporary disability or income benefits, if included.

However, not every PA plan provides all these benefits. Some plans pay a fixed amount for certain injuries. Others reimburse medical expenses up to a set limit.

Also, check who is covered. A PA benefit included with your car insurance may only protect the policyholder or named individuals. It may not cover everyone travelling in the car.

Can Medical Insurance Pay for Car Accident Treatment?

Your medical or hospitalisation insurance may help pay for treatment after a car accident.

For example, if you are admitted to hospital because of an accident, your medical policy may cover eligible treatment costs.

However, coverage depends on your policy. Check:

• Whether accident injuries are covered.
• Which hospitals and treatments are included.
• Whether you need to use a panel hospital.
• Your annual limit and room and board limit.
• Any exclusions or waiting periods.

Medical insurance and third-party injury claims are separate. If another driver caused the accident, you may still have the right to claim against their insurer, even if your medical insurance has paid for some treatment.

However, the way overlapping payments are handled depends on your policy and the law.

Can PERKESO Pay for Your Injuries?

PERKESO may provide benefits if you are an eligible employee covered under the Employment Injury Scheme.

This scheme covers certain work-related accidents, including:

• Accidents while carrying out your work duties.
• Accidents while travelling between home and your workplace.
• Accidents during journeys directly related to your work.
• Accidents while travelling between your workplace and an authorised place for a meal break.

However, taking a personal detour or making an unauthorised stop may affect your eligibility.

Depending on your case, PERKESO may provide:

Benefit	What it covers
Medical benefit	Eligible treatment at PERKESO panel clinics or government healthcare facilities
Temporary Disablement Benefit	Financial support during qualifying medical leave
Permanent Disablement Benefit	Benefits if your injury causes permanent disability
Rehabilitation	Eligible physical or vocational rehabilitation

If your accident happened while travelling to or from work, inform your employer and contact PERKESO to check your eligibility.

Keep your police report and medical documents as supporting evidence. A normal journey for personal reasons does not automatically qualify for protection.

What If the Other Driver Has No Insurance?

If the driver who caused the accident does not have valid motor insurance, you may still have other options.

You may pursue a claim directly against the person responsible. However, getting compensation may be difficult if they cannot afford to pay.

For eligible injury or death claims involving an uninsured vehicle, the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) may also consider providing assistance.

However, MIB assistance is subject to its rules and eligibility requirements. Payment is not guaranteed, and MIB does not cover vehicle repair costs.

If this happens, make a police report and keep your medical records and accident documents. You can also contact MIB to check whether your case qualifies.

Read our guide on what you can claim if you are hit by an uninsured driver.

What Should You Do After an Accident?

If you are injured, get medical attention first. Once it is safe, take these steps to support your claim:

• Get medical treatment. Keep your hospital bills, medical reports, prescriptions and receipts.
• Make a police report. Drivers involved in an accident must report it within 24 hours under the Road Transport Act 1987. If your injuries prevent you from doing so, get help and make the report as soon as you are able.
• Keep evidence. Save accident photos, dashcam footage and witness details. Get the other driver’s information if possible.
• Inform the insurer. Contact your own insurer and get the other driver’s insurance details if another vehicle was involved.
• Check your other coverage. Review your PA insurance, medical policy and PERKESO eligibility.
• Keep income records. If you cannot work because of your injuries, keep your payslips, employer letters and medical leave certificates.

If your injuries are serious or the parties disagree about who caused the accident, consider getting legal advice before accepting a settlement.

A full and final settlement may affect your right to claim further compensation for the same injuries.

Know Who Can Help Pay for Your Injuries

After a car accident, do not assume that your own motor insurance will pay for your treatment. If another driver caused the accident, their insurer may be responsible for eligible injury compensation.

If you caused the accident, your PA insurance, medical policy or PERKESO may provide other forms of help.

Check your coverage and keep your medical records and accident documents. These can help you identify the right source of financial assistance and support your claim.