When a car accident happens, it can result in injuries. This will often require medical treatment and sometimes, rehabilitation. Consequently, most car accident victims will file a personal injury claim to get reimbursement for these losses. Others will fall back on personal injury protection or PIP to cover their medical bills and lost income.
Personal injury protection vs bodily injury is a common debate among car accident victims. Are the two terms synonymous? When do they apply? Here, we answer these questions and more.
If you have incurred injuries in an auto accident caused by someone else’s negligent actions, talk to a Huntington Beach Personal Injury Lawyer at El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers about filing a compensation claim.
What Is Personal Injury Protection?
Personal injury protection or PIP is a no-fault insurance program available to vehicle owners. In some states, it is a legal requirement for every driver to carry the policy.
Essentially, the coverage covers medical expenses and lost wages related to a car accident injury. It could also pay for death benefits in the event of loss of life.
If you get injured and have PIP insurance, you should inform your medical provider. The cover will then be used to pay 80% of all your medical bills. It could pay less, however, if you have a deductible on your policy.
PIP insurance is a no-fault program. This means that you can receive benefits, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. It is a legal requirement in no-fault states.
What Is Bodily Injury?
Bodily injury can be used in two different contests. In criminal cases, such as aggravated assault, the term can be used to describe the physical harm suffered by an individual. It can also be an aspect of insurance claims and policies.
In this context, it could refer to a clause of your insurance policy that covers physical injuries sustained in an accident. Bodily injury coverage can be included in several policies.
A person in business, for instance, can take up the clause to cover customers who get injured on their property. You can also get the policy to protect yourself from lawsuits if you injure someone in a car accident.
Difference Between Personal Injury Protection and Bodily Injury
The main difference between personal injury protection and bodily injury is how they work:
- While PIP covers your medical expenses, bodily injury coverage covers the other party’s expenses
- PIP kicks in regardless of who was at fault for the accident
- Your bodily injury coverage comes into play when your negligence causes a crash
Finally, your bodily injury coverage can be used to cover all the other party’s losses. Personal injury protection, on the other hand, only pays a portion of your medical expenses.
Talk to a Huntington Beach Personal Injury Lawyer
The main difference between personal injury protection and bodily injury is how they are used in a legal context.
Personal injury protection or PIP is an insurance policy that covers your medical expenses in an accident. The bodily injury clause in driver’s insurance covers the person who did not cause the accident but was injured as a result.
If you have been injured in a car accident or have more questions regarding personal injury protection vs bodily injury, contact El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers to consult an expert Huntington Beach Personal Injury Lawyer.