Galveston Personal Injury Protection Claim Lawyer

Help With Personal Injury Protection Claims in Galveston

Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, is coverage on your own auto policy that helps pay medical bills and lost income after a crash, no matter who caused it. It should be simple to collect. Often it is not. A Galveston PIP claim lawyer at The Daspit Law Firm can help you get the benefits you paid for and pursue the at-fault driver for the rest.

We offer free consultations 24/7 at (281) 748-2044. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you, and we can meet at your home or hospital room. Se habla español.

How PIP Coverage Works in Texas

Texas is an at-fault state, which means the driver who causes a crash is responsible for the harm. PIP is an added layer of no-fault protection. Under Texas Insurance Code §1952.152, every auto policy sold in Texas must include at least $2,500 in PIP coverage unless the policyholder rejects it in writing. You can read the full rules in Texas Insurance Code Chapter 1952.

Who PIP Covers

PIP generally covers you, members of your household, and passengers riding in your insured vehicle. It can also apply if you are hit as a pedestrian. Each covered person has their own PIP limit.

What PIP Pays For

•      Reasonable medical expenses, including ambulance, hospital, doctor, and therapy bills

•      80% of lost income for people who were earning money at the time of the crash

•      Reasonable costs of essential services, such as childcare or household help, for people who were not earning an income

•      Funeral expenses in a fatal crash, within policy limits

PIP does not pay for pain and suffering, mental anguish, or vehicle damage. Those losses are usually pursued through a claim against the at-fault driver. Property damage to your car is handled under separate parts of the policy, such as collision coverage, or through the other driver's liability insurer.

PIP vs. a Liability Claim vs. UM/UIM Coverage

After a crash on I-45, Seawall Boulevard, or FM 3005, there may be three or more sources of payment. Knowing how they fit together helps you avoid leaving money behind.

•      PIP: your own no-fault coverage, paid quickly for medical bills and lost income

•      Liability claim: a claim against the at-fault driver's insurance for your full losses, including pain and suffering

•      Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage: your own coverage when the at-fault driver has no insurance or flees the scene

•      Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage: your own coverage when the at-fault driver's limits are too low

Texas minimum liability limits are $30,000 per person, $60,000 per crash, and $25,000 for property damage. A single hospital stay at UTMB Health in Galveston can go well past $30,000, which is why PIP and UM/UIM often matter. Our page on recovering from insurance companies explains more about coverage gaps.

Common PIP Claim Problems

Even though PIP is your own coverage, the insurer is still a business with a reason to pay less. Problems we often see include:

•      Claims delayed while the insurer requests more and more records

•      Medical bills cut as "not reasonable" or "not related" to the crash

•      Lost wage claims denied for self-employed workers or people paid in cash

•      Arguments that the policyholder rejected PIP, without a signed written rejection

•      Confusion over which policy applies when you were a passenger or in a rideshare

Texas generally requires insurers to pay PIP benefits within 30 days after receiving satisfactory proof of the loss. If your insurer is stalling, a lawyer can press the issue. Rideshare crashes add more layers of coverage, covered on our Uber and Lyft accident page.

How to File a PIP Claim After a Galveston Crash

•      Report the crash to your insurer promptly and ask that a PIP claim be opened

•      Get medical care right away and follow your treatment plan

•      Save every bill, receipt, and explanation of benefits

•      Ask your employer for a letter showing missed time and pay rate

•      Keep a simple log of symptoms, appointments, and mileage to medical visits

•      Do not sign a broad medical authorization or settlement release before speaking with a lawyer

Soft tissue injuries can take days to show up, and insurers often question them. Our article on common signs of whiplash explains what to watch for.

Why Work With The Daspit Law Firm on Your PIP Claim

Founding attorney John Daspit worked as an insurance defense lawyer before he started representing injured people. He knows how claim files are built and how adjusters look for reasons to reduce payments. That insight helps on the PIP side and on the larger liability claim.

We often handle both at the same time. PIP benefits can help you pay bills now while we build the full Galveston car accident claim against the driver who caused the wreck. If you were hurt in another kind of incident, see our main Galveston personal injury page.

Get Help With Your PIP Claim Today

If your PIP claim has been delayed, cut, or denied, or you simply want to know what your policy covers, call (281) 748-2044 any time or contact our Galveston team online. The consultation is free, and there is no fee unless we win. This page is general information, not legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PIP required in Texas?

Insurers must include at least $2,500 of PIP on every Texas auto policy, but drivers can reject it in writing. If you never signed a written rejection, you likely have PIP coverage. Check your declarations page, or ask us to review your policy during a free consultation.

Does PIP pay if the crash was my fault?

Yes. PIP is no-fault coverage, so it pays covered medical expenses and lost income regardless of who caused the crash. Your PIP benefits are not reduced because you were partly or fully at fault. You still have to meet the policy terms, such as giving timely notice.

Can I use PIP and still file a claim against the other driver?

Yes. PIP from your own policy and a liability claim against the at-fault driver are separate. Many people use PIP to cover early bills while their larger injury claim is pending. The liability claim can include losses PIP does not cover, such as pain and suffering.

Does PIP cover my passengers?

In most cases, yes. PIP on your policy usually covers passengers riding in your insured vehicle, and each injured person has their own benefit limit. Passengers may also have PIP through their own household's policy, so the order of coverage can vary.

What should I do if my PIP claim is denied?

Ask the insurer for the denial reason in writing and keep copies of everything you sent. Then speak with a lawyer. Denials are often based on disputed medical bills, missing wage proof, or a claimed PIP rejection. We can review the file and push the insurer to pay what the policy owes.