Personal injury claims can provide a vital source of compensation to victims
who suffer injuries in
car accidents caused by the negligent or careless acts of others. While these claims
allow victims to prove that another party – such as a driver who
drove distracted, while intoxicated, violated a traffic law, or committed
another act of negligence – should be held liable for the damages
they suffered, it is not always the case that victims will be able to
secure the full amount of compensation they need to be made whole –
especially if there are insurance issues involving coverage.
When personal injury claims don’t provide the necessary compensation
victims need and deserve, there may be other options for making the difference.
One option is to seek payment through a Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
claim filed with a victim’s own insurance provider (or a victim
driver’s insurance if the personal filing a claim was injured as
a passenger). PIP can be an important safety net for those who have this
coverage, which is why it is important to understand how it works in Texas.
Our Houston car accident attorneys at The Daspit Law Firm work closely
with clients to educate them about their rights, insurance issues relevant
to their cases, and how insurance coverage like PIP can make the difference
when it matters most. Below, we have answered a few common questions we
receive about PIP insurance:
What is Personal Injury Protection (PIP)?
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is a type of insurance coverage that pays for medical bills and
lost income caused by car accidents. As no-fault coverage, PIP pays regardless
of who is at fault – something that can prove beneficial to victims
who require funds to cover expenses and pressing financial strains while
their personal injury claim is pending. PIP coverage, like any other insurance
coverage, can be purchased in various amounts, typically in increments
of $2,500, $5,000, or $10,000.
Who is covered by PIP?
Because Texas law requires all insurance companies to offer PIP coverage
to customers who purchase auto insurance, many motorists in the state
have this coverage. However, some may opt out of purchasing PIP insurance,
especially when they have financial limitations that already make it difficult
to purchase minimum auto liability coverage. When a person does purchase
PIP coverage, they and any passengers will be covered by the policy (in
accordance to its policy limits) in the event of an accident, no matter
who is at fault. For example, the total amount of coverage – say
$20,000 – covers each injured party in the collision. If you and
two passengers suffer injuries in a wreck, you and both injured passengers
could receive up to $20,000 for resulting damages.
Is PIP coverage worth it?
Just as we stress the importance of purchasing uninsured motorist (UM)
coverage to act as a safety net in the event of injuries caused by drivers
who don’t carry any insurance, we also believe in the importance
of carrying PIP insurance. That’s because PIP coverage can not only
ease financial burdens when you or your passengers suffer injuries in
wrecks (including wrecks you caused and wrecks caused by other drivers),
it can also provide an essential source of compensation in cases where
the policy limits of an at-fault driver’s liability insurance is
not enough to cover all of your damages. This may be the case when you
suffer serious or catastrophic injuries, or when you accumulate medical
expenses and lost wages that exceed an at-fault driver’s policy
– which is often the case when at-fault drivers only have state-mandated
minimum liability insurance, or are otherwise underinsured. When the unexpected
happens, PIP coverage can supplement your damages, and make the difference
when it matters most.
What does PIP pay?
Personal Injury Protection coverage pays you and any injured victims up
to the policy limits, per victim. Although it does not cover all damages
recoverable in personal injury cases (such as emotional injuries and non-economic
damages), it can pay for the following:
- Medical treatment expenses
- Costs of related ambulance, hospital, and / or nursing services
- Funeral / burial expenses (in cases of wrongful death)
- 80% of lost income caused by your injuries
Learn More About Pursuing the Full & Fair Compensation You Deserve
If you have questions about your legal rights after any car accident, including
those involving PIP coverage, our team at The Daspit Law Firm is available
24/7 to help.
Contact us today to request a FREE consultation.
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