Is Personal Injury Protection Worth It?
It’s very important to add personal injury protection (PIP) coverage to your insurance policy if given the option (it’s mandatory in many states), and it is definitely well worth it.
Many people contact us asking if personal injury protection is really worth it, and our answer is always a resounding YES! In some states (such as Texas), you are actually required to take out PIP coverage unless you sign a waiver to let it go.
If you live in a tort state (as opposed to a no-fault state) and are injured in an accident, understand that you will not have immediate access to insurance money unless you have personal injury protection coverage. Car accident injury claims can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to resolve, and until a claim is fully-resolved, no payouts are made to the victim. This can leave many families with mounting medical bills, and no way to pay them.
PIP and Medical Bills
Without an attorney on your side, you’re basically at the mercy of the insurance company when it comes to your injury and property damage claims. Luckily, PIP claims are not based on fault, so even if you’re likely liable for the accident, you can still make a claim and receive immediate compensation to pay for your medical expenses.
Personal injury protection is too important to waive if you’re in Texas, and for a number of reasons. PIP can help pay for things like doctor’s visits, consultation fees, surgical and medical treatment, eye and dental treatment, medication, nursing services and even ambulance rides. Secondly, should you have someone else in the car, they will also be covered by PIP. If someone dies in the accident, PIP will even cover things such as funeral expenses.
PIP and Lost Wages
In the event of an accident, you may miss a few days, weeks, or even months of work (if you ever return to work at all). Personal injury protection insurance also helps in this area, as you’ll be able to recover compensation for lost wages as well. That being said, your insurance company may require you to produce evidence in the form of pay stubs, case files, etc., before they will release any money to you. They get to determine what’s a “reasonable amount” with regard to payout, which is why it’s always important to have an attorney on your side after an accident involving an injury, as their job is to make sure you get 100 percent of what you’re entitled to.
In conclusion, PIP insurance can help you take care of the bills that pop up immediately after an accident as you consider filing a personal injury lawsuit to collect money damages. In addition, it enables you to keep your own money where it belongs: in your pocket.
Category: Lawyer's Advice
