Personal Injury Protection Claims

Personal Injury Protection, also known as PIP or no-fault insurance, covers medical expenses regardless of who is liable for an accident. It can include lost wages in some states, too. It is optional in many states but it is often required in states that follow a “no fault” insurance scheme. Regardless of who caused the accident, PIP enables individuals to recover compensation for medical expenses and lost wages.

There are certain states where it is mandatory to get PIP coverage. They are Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Utah. Of these, 11 are “no-fault” states. 

In the year 2019, more than 6 million road accidents were reported in which more than 36,000 people lost their lives. The outcome of road accidents can be devastating and may lead to severe consequences. An accident involving a truck can be even more life threatening because of its heavy weight and size. The concept of PIP coverage is confusing for many people. If health insurance provides coverage for medical and surgical expenses, many wonder why they should also buy personal injury protection. 

We have outlined some important things to know about PIP. This information will help you evaluate whether you need it or not. For more information, you can discuss your concerns and legal options with experienced attorneys.

What is Personal Injury Protection (PIP)?

Before deciding what insurance plan is right for you, it is helpful to have some information about the options. PIP is a type of insurance that covers vehicle accidents regardless of who was responsible. There are instances when you may be at fault or share a percentage of fault. In no-fault states, you can still file a personal injury protection claim and receive monetary reimbursement for medical expenses and property damage even if you were at fault.

In at-fault states, the responsible party’s liability insurance covers the costs of the other person’s medical expenses. Many at-fault states apply a contributory negligence scheme, where you may receive a lesser amount of damages if you share a percentage of fault for an accident. In no-fault states, PIP coverage will help you recover compensation for your losses regardless. 

PIP is not a substitute for liability insurance, which is required by every state except for New Hampshire and Virginia. Liability insurance pays for injuries caused to another party, such as the driver and passengers of another vehicle. 

Be it medical or surgical expenses, lost wages, or physical rehabilitation, you may be covered with PIP. 

What does Personal Injury Protection Cover?

It is helpful to understand what PIP covers and what it does not before you proceed. A PIP covers compensation for the following: 

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Rehabilitation costs
• Household services
• Death benefits

PIP insurance will help you cover medical expenses and hospital bills after an accident. An injury may restrict your ability to work and live normally. When you are unable to work, it can affect your ability to earn a living. 

PIP will provide financial support after an accident. You will be able to pay your bills and other accident related expenses. A PIP will aid you financially and help you recover compensation for rehabilitation costs. 

Purchasing auto accident personal injury protection is a good idea because it can help you manage expenses caused by the accident. It is also good in some states because the law requires it for registered drivers. Some people might ignore this need, thinking that they will not need protection or that their health insurance will pick up the costs of any injuries.

But our experience has shown that when someone finds themselves in difficult situations after facing a collision, it can be crucial to have PIP in order to bear heavy financial burdens. It is always better to be on the safer side by carrying PIP. 

What to do if you already have health insurance?

Many people have the misconception that both PIP coverage and medical health insurance coverage will pay for expenses resulting from an accident; however, that is not the case. Only PIP insurance covers much more than medical bills.

Health insurance will only pay for medical and surgical expenses after an accident. They will not provide you additional compensation for lost wages or other damages. Different states have different mandatory minimum PIP coverage amounts. You will have to refer to each state’s laws to learn what the requirements are. For instance, in Florida, the minimum PIP requirement is $10,000. Your policy limit, state minimum requirements, and deductibles will impact the total cost of PIP coverage. 

If you live in a no-fault state, you should consider having PIP insurance coverage. You must reach your PIP coverage limits before turning to health insurance. PIP will help you recover much more than the amount you will get with health insurance. 

It is essential to understand that PIP coverage will be more helpful after a car accident because it also covers additional monetary compensation. Therefore, the value of carrying PIP insurance coverage is that you can recover more compensation for your accident related expenses than just health insurance alone. 

How to File A PIP Claims?

The PIP claim process is similar to that of other insurance claims. To begin the process, you can start with filing a claim either online or over the phone. It is crucial to follow the procedure and timelines established by the insurance agency in order to receive your compensation. 

For instance, in some states, the insurer must approve the medical treatment and care within a few days of the accident. The amount you may get also differs depending on your state laws and amount of coverage purchased. For instance, Florida residents will only receive compensation for up to 80% of their medical bills. 

You should keep these things in mind and submit all the necessary paperwork within the required timeline.

If you have any questions, you can consult a Miami Injury Lawyer to understand how you should proceed. He will guide you throughout the process and handle any necessary communication with the insurance company.