Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage in Texas extends to collisions with any object, not just other vehicles. Whether your car hits another vehicle, a tree, or a guardrail, PIP coverage can help with your medical expenses and lost wages. As a no-fault insurance benefit, PIP provides coverage regardless of who caused the accident. If you were hurt in a crash someone else caused and have questions about your options for compensation, contact Law Offices of Troy A. Brookover today to meet with a San Antonio personal injury attorney.
What PIP Covers
After a collision, PIP coverage can prove essential. Picture this: you swerve to avoid a deer on a rainy San Antonio evening and collide with a roadside barrier. Your airbag deploys and you suffer whiplash, leaving you with medical bills and missed work days. In this scenario, your PIP coverage would help cover your expenses, regardless of fault.
When you have PIP coverage in Texas, it provides financial protection for several essential costs:
- Medical treatment: From emergency room visits and surgeries to X-rays and rehabilitation services, PIP helps cover the cost of necessary medical care after an accident.
- Lost income: If your injuries prevent you from working, PIP can help replace part of your lost wages during your recovery period.
- Essential services: For those who don’t earn wages but provide vital household services, PIP can cover the cost of hiring help for tasks like childcare or home maintenance while you recover.
It’s worth noting that PIP coverage extends beyond just the policyholder. Your policy protects:
- You and your family members in your household
- Passengers in your vehicle at the time of the accident
- Anyone driving your car with your permission
This comprehensive coverage helps injury victims manage their immediate medical needs and financial obligations while they pursue more substantial personal injury claims. PIP’s no-fault nature means you can access these benefits quickly without waiting for vehicle insurance companies to determine liability.
What PIP Does Not Cover
While PIP provides broad coverage for medical expenses and lost wages, it’s important to understand its limitations. Your PIP policy will not cover:
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
- Property damage to other vehicles or objects
- Medical expenses that exceed your policy limits
- Long-term disability care
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Additionally, if you explicitly rejected PIP coverage when purchasing your auto insurance policy in writing, you won’t have access to these benefits. Many drivers unknowingly waive this coverage to reduce their premiums, only to regret that decision after an accident.
Other Options for Compensation
When PIP coverage isn’t enough to fully address your losses, several other avenues for compensation may be available. These include:
- Liability insurance claims: If another driver caused your accident, you can file a claim against their liability insurance policy.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage: This protection helps when the at-fault driver either lacks insurance or doesn’t have enough coverage to pay for your losses.
- Health insurance: Your personal health insurance can help cover medical expenses after you exhaust your PIP benefits.
- Medical payments (MedPay) coverage: Another type of optional coverage your auto insurance policy may include is MedPay, which is a type of no-fault insurance covering medical costs.
- Collision coverage: While PIP won’t pay for vehicle repairs, your collision insurance can help restore or replace your damaged vehicle.
Each of these options serves a distinct purpose in providing an opportunity to receive fair compensation after an accident. However, insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether. That’s why having an experienced San Antonio car accident lawyer can make a crucial difference in securing the compensation you deserve.
Request a Free Consultation Now
Determining Fault
PIP provides benefits regardless of who caused the accident. This means you won’t have to prove someone else is at fault for the collision before you can receive compensation from PIP.
However, determining fault remains crucial for securing additional compensation through other insurance claims. Even if your collision was with an object and not another vehicle, someone else could be responsible. For example, a vehicle manufacturer could be held liable if your brakes malfunction and cause you to hit something. Or if another driver crosses into your lane and forces you to swerve into the guardrail to avoid being hit, they could be at fault.
Many collisions involve multiple contributing factors, and more than one party may share responsibility. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you determine who is liable for the crash and pursue additional compensation from them.
Need to Discuss Your Accident? Contact Our Experienced Attorneys Today
Our team brings comprehensive legal knowledge, decades of experience, and a proven track record of success to every case we handle. We also work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t pay any legal fees unless we win your case. Take the first step toward protecting your rights and paving the way to a brighter future. Call us today or use our contact form for a free case review.
Or
