Personal injury insurance is a type of coverage that can provide financial protection in the event of an accident or injury. In California, this type of insurance is often included as part of a larger car insurance policy and can help cover the costs associated with medical treatment, lost wages, and other expenses related to an injury. But what exactly does personal injury insurance cover, and how does it work?
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at personal injury insurance in California. Whether you’re a California resident or just planning to visit, understanding personal injury insurance can be an important part of staying protected on the road.
Liability Insurance Is Mandatory in California
There are usually two facts that all motorists can agree on. These are:
1. Insurance is something that no one enjoys, especially when it comes to paying for it.
2. Nobody wants to be in an accident.
These two facts are connected because you must have liability insurance for every street-legal motor vehicle in California. You would not want to find yourself in a situation where you were involved in an accident but weren’t covered. Personal injury insurance protects you if someone is at fault. Liability insurance covers the possibility that you are at fault for causing an injury to another person.
Personal Injury Insurance Outside California (In “No-Fault States”)
Personal injury insurance is also known as personal injury protection insurance or PIP. It protects you against the costs of a traffic accident, regardless of fault.
All drivers in 13 states (e.g. Kentucky, Florida, and Kansas) must have PIP. Personal injury coverage is usually required in addition to liability insurance. These states have mandatory PIP coverage. This is done to reduce the number of personal injury lawsuits, the court time required by them, and the amount of compensation that can be sought. Most PIP insurance covers:
- The cost of individual medical treatment
- Compensation for lost earnings
- Funeral expenses for death to those covered by the insurance policy.
You cannot sue another driver if your accident results in you being injured in an accident if you live in a state that requires compulsory PIP insurance. This type of insurance is also known as no-fault insurance. PIP insurance is mandatory in no-fault states.
Personal Injury Insurance (PIP or Med-Pay) In California
Personal injury insurance (PIP) is an option in California and all states, other than the 13 mentioned. It is an option, but not a requirement. If you decide to purchase PIP insurance in California, you can take your insurance with you when you travel to another state. It all depends on the insurance company.
PIP can be attractive for many reasons. However, it should not be considered a good option for everyone.
The Advantages of Personal Injury Insurance (PIP or Med-Pay)
There are many reasons to have proper personal injury insurance. Here are some highlights.
Personal Injury Insurance Will Provide Extraordinary Compensation, Regardless of Who Is Responsible for Your Accident
No matter the reason for the accident, Med-pay coverage will be activated and cover the above items. It doesn’t matter if the accident was caused by you.
Personal Injury Insurance Will Provide Extraordinary Compensation, Regardless of Who Is Responsible for Your Accident
PIP (Med-Pay) will be paid much faster than waiting for the personal injury claim to be resolved much later. If a lawsuit is filed, a personal injury case could take several months to resolve.
It Will Pay, Even If You Lose the Case
If the evidence that you have to prove the fault of the other driver is not sufficient to convince an insurer or judge, your case may be dismissed. This could result in a severely injured victim being left out of pocket and struggling for financial support. You won’t be left behind with PIP.
Other Benefits of PIP
Personal injury insurance is an excellent option if you are injured by:
- An uninsured driver
- An underinsured driver
- A hit-and-run driver
These two situations can be resolved by purchasing underinsured or uninsured accident insurance. Although they are more complicated than PIP, many drivers don’t know that they have this type of insurance. In some cases, it is only when a personal injury attorney has examined an accident victim’s insurance coverage (check your “declarations page now”) that it is discovered that they do or don’t have insurance to cover them if they are injured by an uninsured/underinsured driver.
If the hit-and-run driver causes injury, it is impossible to do anything unless they are caught by police and brought to justice. Even if that happens, it would still be necessary for the at-fault driver to have adequate liability insurance. It doesn’t matter what the law or enforcement authorities charge the hit-and-run driver, it won’t help you as the victim. Do yourself a favor, and get personal injury coverage (med-pay and uninsured, as well as underinsured) today!
It Also Covers Your Passengers
This not only covers you but also any passengers in your car or riding your bike. You should look into personal injury insurance as soon as possible if it provides you with the peace of mind that your loved ones will be covered.
Need More Advice? Contact a California Personal Injury Attorney Today!
At Tenina Law, we understand that dealing with the aftermath of an accident or injury can be overwhelming and confusing. That’s why our team of experienced personal injury lawyers is dedicated to fighting for your rights and helping you navigate the legal system. We know that your top priority is getting the medical care you need and recovering as quickly as possible. That’s why we take care of all the legal details and paperwork, so you can focus on getting better.
Other Services We Offer
Don’t let insurance companies and other parties take advantage of you. Contact Tenina Law today to schedule a free consultation with one of our personal injury attorney. We’ll review your case, answer your questions, and help you understand your rights and options. Trust us to fight for the compensation you deserve and help you move forward with your life.
