Do I need personal injury protection? If you own a vehicle in California, you may have pondered this question time and again. While California law requires every person with a driver’s license to have liability insurance coverage, there is no law about personal injury protection. But might you need it?
California is a fault state, which means that drivers are held financially liable for the accidents they cause. However, liability is not always easy to establish, and without it, you may not get compensated.
Please contact our Los Angeles Car Accident Attorneys with El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers if you have been injured in a car accident.
What Is Personal Injury Protection?
Personal injury protection (PIP) is sometimes called Med-pay. It is an insurance policy that covers your medical expenses if you get into an accident, regardless of who was at fault. While policies will vary from provider to provider, you can typically expect cover on the following:
- Personal medical treatment for you and your passengers.
- A percentage of your lost wages
- Funeral expenses for anyone mentioned in the policy
Personal injury protection is mandatory in 13 states in the United States, including Florida and Kansas. However, California is not one of these states because it handles injury cases on a fault basis. This means that you are not legally required to carry the policy.
If you decide to take out a PIP cover in California, you should note that it may be valid in other states as well. Remember to discuss this provision with your insurance provider.
Benefits of PIP Insurance
As already mentioned, a PIP policy covers your medical expenses and those of your passengers, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. Many people take it out because it eliminates the stress of having to file a personal injury claim. Besides this, here is why PIP insurance may be worth your while:
- It pays out regardless of who is at fault.
- It covers your passengers.
- It pays out faster than third-party insurance.
- It covers accidents when the at-fault driver is underinsured or uninsured.
- It covers hit and run accidents.
- It pays out regardless of the outcome of your personal injury lawsuit.
Disadvantages of PIP Insurance
PIP insurance premiums can be a costly addition to your monthly budget. With all the expenses involved in everyday life, it can be difficult to rationalize this additional cost. Additionally, the payout from your PIP policy will likely be less than what you could get from a personal injury claim.
Unlike personal injury settlements, PIP insurance covers don’t involve compensation for pain and suffering. This means that you will only receive payment for medical expenses and lost wages, but not the emotional distress or mental trauma caused by your injuries.
All in all, PIP coverage is a guaranteed payout in the event of an accident, though it may not cover all your injury-related losses.
Talk to a Los Angeles Car Accident Attorney
El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers is a leading personal injury law firm. Our Los Angeles Car Accident Attorneys are dedicated to helping you get the best outcome from your case. If you have questions about your insurance coverage, contact us today online or at 888-542-6021 to schedule a consultation.