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What is Personal Injury Protection?
Car accidents can lead to life-threatening injuries that can cause overwhelming financial burdens because of the associated medical bills, lost wages, and living expenses. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) from auto insurance policies kicks in to protect victims against these potential costs.
Texas injury lawyers explain that PIP is no-fault medical payment coverage available for car accident victims to enable them to pay their medical and related expenses. The coverage is available regardless of who was at fault for the accident to ensure access to medical treatment and financial assistance.
Is PIP Insurance Mandatory in Texas?
The law in Texas requires insurers to offer PIP coverage, but motorists are not required to accept it. Drivers can decline PIP by signing a waiver, but if they don’t, the coverage will be added to their auto policy automatically.
Since Texas is an at-fault state, drivers must carry minimum liability because they can be sued for economic and non-economic damages after an accident. Car accident attorneys in Houston say that PIP is often a critical safety net because it covers expenses such as lost wages and funeral expens es.
What Does Personal Injury Protection in Texas Include?
Houston car accident lawyers highlight that PIP insurance provides 100% coverage for medical costs related to a car accident up to the policy limit. Medical expenses recoverable through the PIP insurance may include emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, diagnostic testing, medical assistive devices, and physical therapy and rehabilitation.
However, you must prove that the injuries resulted from the car accident. PIP may also compensate you for up to 80% of your lost income if you were in active employment during the accident. You must provide proof of income and show the loss was due to accident-related injuries.
If you were not employed, PIP may provide coverage for substitute services for household duties that you can no longer perform. It may also compensate you for funeral expenses if you lost a loved one in the accident. The insurance also provides coverage up to the policy limit. If your costs are higher, you may need to find additional cover.
Who is Covered by PIP Insurance?
Car accident lawyers in Houston explain that individuals covered by Personal Injury Protection depend on state laws and policy specifications. Generally, the policy provides coverage for:
- The insured driver
- Passengers in the vehicle at the time of the accident
- Members of the named driver’s household who are injured as cyclists or pedestrians when hit by a car
Reviewing your specific policy to determine exactly who your PIP policy plan covers is vital. Seek legal counsel to help you make a decision that can help you maximize your and your loved one’s coverage in case of an accident. Policy terms and limits may vary based on individual insurers.
What is the Difference Between Bodily Injury Coverage and PIP?
While PIP insurance covers the injuries you and your passengers suffer in an accident, bodily injury liability coverage pays for other people’s injuries you cause. In Texas, you’re still required to carry bodily injury liability coverage for injuries over the state’s threshold for bodily injury lawsuits.
With bodily injury coverage, you reduce the risk of having your assets seized to compensate the people you injure in an accident. The law requires you to have a minimum limit of $30,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person and up to $60,000 per accident. You also must have at least $25,000 of coverage for property damage.
Are There Limitations and Exclusions to PIP Insurance?
PIP may have specific limitations and exclusions depending on your insurer’s terms and conditions:
- Statute of limitations: PIP claims must be filed within a specific time frame after the accident, also known as a statute of limitations. Failure to observe the deadline can result in a denial of the claim.
- Coverage limitations: Each auto insurance policy limits an insurer’s coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs. Check your policy’s limits beforehand to plan for additional coverage, if necessary, adequately.
- Exclusions: Driving under the influence, intentional acts that lead to an accident, and injuries sustained while committing a crime are some situations that may fall outside the scope of PIP insurance coverage.
What Types of Accidents Does PIP Insurance Cover?
Texas injury attorneys mention that part of understanding PIP insurance is knowing where it applies. Generally, you can claim coverage after a wide range of auto accidents, including:
- Collisions with other vehicles
- Pedestrian or bicycle accidents involving cars
- Single-car accidents
Before and when filing a claim with your PIP insurance provider, ensure you take the following steps:
- Report the accident to the authorities
- Seek medical treatment even if you think you were not injured
- Notify your insurance provider
- Gather supporting documents
- Consult skilled car accident lawyers in Houston
- Submit your claim
- Communicate openly
- Keep records
An Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Helping You Navigate PIP Insurance
Personal Injury Protection is a vital auto insurance shield that provides necessary protection in the event of an accident. However, the coverage it gives may be limited compared to other policies. Houston car accident lawyers can provide more legal insights to help you understand your options and make an informed decision.
The legal team at the Alfred Firm is extensively experienced in handling various personal injury claims, including those related to auto accidents. Whether you were at fault or not, we can help you recover compensation for your medical and other related expenses. We can also help you pursue other damages depending on the case specifics. We do the work while you focus on healing and recovery. Call us at 713-489-1875 for a FREE consultation.
