Personal injury protection or PIP insurance is one of the basic coverages offered by car insurance providers. It helps pay for the expenses you accrue because of your injuries after an auto accident.
But besides knowing what personal injury protection is, here are some other facts you might want to learn about PIP and how it can benefit you here in Georgia.
What Exactly does Personal Injury Protection Cover?
Personal injury protection insurance typically covers the various expenses caused by the injuries you or your passengers suffer from after a car accident. While the extent of the coverage may vary depending on the insurance provider and policy limits, it can generally pay for costs such as:
- Hospital stays
- Medical treatments
- Doctor’s appointments
- Medications
- Wages lost while recovering
- Replacement services (for example, you had to hire a nanny to care for your child because you were disabled)
- Funeral and burial services
PIP insurance does not cover your pain and suffering damages. It also does not pay for non-injury expenses, even if they are still accident-related. For instance, if your car got damaged in the crash, you would have to use your collision coverage to pay for the repairs. You could also file a claim with the other driver’s property damage liability insurer.
The Difference Between Med-Pay and PIP Insurance
Medical Payments or Med-Pay insurance is another coverage that pays for injury-related costs. However, as its name suggests, Med-Pay only covers medical and funeral expenses.
On the other hand, PIP insurance will cover other injury-related expenses like lost wages, in addition to your medical expenses, per your policy limits. However, you could carry both Med-Pay and PIP for additional medical coverage.
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Personal Injury FAQs
Can I Pursue Punitive Damages in My Atlanta Personal Injury Case?What Types of Personal Injury Cases Are Common in Atlanta?How is Liability Determined in Atlanta Personal Injury Cases?How Can I Protect My Rights When Dealing with Insurance Adjusters in Atlanta?When Should I Hire a Decatur Personal Injury Lawyer?What’s the Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in Decatur?Georgia does Not Require PIP Insurance
You typically cannot have third-party claims against the liable driver as your first option in a no-fault state. You have to carry PIP insurance to get your expenses covered to remedy this situation.
However, Georgia is not a no-fault state and thus does not require PIP insurance. Instead, drivers must carry liability insurance. If they cause an accident, the coverage will pay for their victim’s injuries and damaged vehicle or other property. It will help liable drivers reduce the risk of facing a car accident lawsuit if their victims’ expenses run quite high.
Benefits of Personal Injury Protection in Georgia
Even if PIP coverage is not mandatory, there are still benefits to carrying it in Georgia, such as:
You Can Get Compensated Regardless of Fault
Due to Georgia’s comparative fault laws, you cannot recover any damages in a liability claim if the claims adjuster finds you more than 50 percent at fault. Furthermore, it would also mean that the other party is more likely to file a claim against you.
A major advantage of PIP insurance is that it will cover your injury expenses even if you are at fault for the car accident.
Serves as Additional Protection From Paying Out of Pocket
Another benefit of having PIP insurance is that you would not have to pay all your medical bills and other injury costs straight from your personal assets. Instead, the PIP insurance will help shoulder the amount.
And should your medical bills exceed your PIP policy’s limits, you may still be able to use your health insurance before you finally have to pay out of pocket.
Statute of Limitations in Georgia Personal Injury Cases
Since Georgia is an at-fault state, you can file a claim against the liable driver while filing one with your PIP insurer. And if the claim is not enough to cover your out-of-pocket expenses, you may be able to file a civil lawsuit and bring the matter to court.
Keep in mind, you have a limited window to file a civil lawsuit for a car accident. Per O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, you only have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. A car accident lawyer can ensure your lawsuit is filed on time, so you do not miss your opportunity to seek compensation for your injuries and other losses.
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Get Help Filing Your Claim Here
Treating your injuries after an auto collision can get expensive quickly here in Georgia. Fortunately, you could get your medical bills and other injury-related expenses covered through a car accident claim. At Bader Scott Injury Lawyers, our lawyers are ready to help you understand what personal injury protection is and guide you through your filing process.
Our legal team has years of experience working on auto accidents and other injury cases throughout Georgia. A team member is standing by to answer any questions you may have. Our attorneys work on a contingency-fee basis and offer a free consultation. That means you pay us nothing upfront until we obtain a settlement or court-ordered award on your behalf.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
