Is paying for medical expenses after an accident an admission of guilt?
The driver of the first car stepped out. Seeing that the woman inside the other car was badly hurt, he immediately called for help.
Accidents are unavoidable.
Emergency services came to take the woman to the nearest hospital. The man followed to check on her.
At the hospital, he found out that she needed an operation. He immediately wanted to offer to pay for the medical bills. But then he paused.
Could his offer to pay for her hospital costs be used against him at the police investigation or in Court? If he offers to pay for her medical, hospital or other expenses from her injuries, wouldn’t that be an admission of fault by him?
Can you pay for medical expenses without admitting guilt?
No. An offer to pay or the payment of medical, hospital or other expenses occasioned by an injury is not admissible in evidence as proof of civil or criminal liability for the injury. Offering to pay for these expenses cannot be used against you.
This principle is plainly stated in the Rules of Court.[1] It’s known as the Good Samaritan Rule of evidence. The reason for this Rule is to promote and encourage humanitarian acts or charitable responses rather than discourage or penalize them. Otherwise, someone who may just want to help might hold back for fear that doing so will be taken as a sign of guilt.
Yes, you can pay for medical expenses without admitting guilt. It’s called the Good Samaritan Rule.
So, if you’re ever involved in an accident, if you want to be a good neighbor to someone fallen by the roadside, do not be afraid. Go and do likewise.
References
[1] Section 27, Rule 130 …
An offer to pay or the payment of medical, hospital or other expenses occasioned by an injury is not admissible in evidence as proof of civil or criminal liability for the injury.
The driver killed both parents of my niece, and now she is still confined in the hospital with the huge bill to pay, are we able to collect payment for the driver even if we filed a case already? Or do we wait until the preliminary hearing? Thank you
Sorry for your loss.
Yes, you could accept payment from the driver in the meantime, but both parties would be well served to be clear on whether or not they make a waiver of claims or defenses against the other.
Can you demand a payment for the driver who caused serious accident to the victim?
Yes.