What is Personal Injury Protection Insurance?
Car accident victims deserve a speedy and just recovery. Car accidents can have a detrimental impact on your mental and physical well-being. Victims often experience high medical costs from their injuries. Worrying about paying expenses for injuries you received as a result of a car accident places more strain on you and your family. An experienced Minneapolis car accident lawyer can help if you were involved in a car accident. Gunther Law Office works vigilantly to obtain fair compensation for your injuries.
Understanding Personal Injury Protection Coverage
Personal insurance protection (PIP) is an addition to car insurance that covers medical expenses, lost wages, and replacement services. This portion of your policy provides economic loss benefits. This is referred to as no-fault coverage because these costs will be paid no matter who is at fault or negligent. Many drivers wrongly believe that no-fault coverage covers all losses incurred in an accident. However, no-fault coverage only applies to expenses for injuries resulting from an accident. The point of PIP benefits is to reimburse certain economic losses stemming from automobile accidents without concern for questioning who is at fault.
What is No-fault Coverage?
Minnesota law established mandatory no-fault coverage to help alleviate some of the burden placed on the courts and to ensure swift treatment for accident victims.
- No-fault covers medical bills, loss of wages, and replacement services like lawn repair or housekeeping. If the accident results in death, $2,000 are allotted for funeral expenses.
- No-fault claims are first applied to your own PIP. If your expenses are then greater than the limit on your PIP policy, you can file a claim against the other motorist’s liability coverage if the motorist is determined to be liable.
- $40,000 is the required minimum no-fault coverage. This amount is accessible to each person who sustained injuries in the accident. Half of the minimum is approved for medical expenses and the other $20,000 may be applied to non-medical expenses. Additional coverage exceeding the minimum amount may be purchased.
What Types of Vehicles are Covered by PIP?
A separate insurance policy must be purchased for snowmobile or motorcycle accidents but these policies do not contain personal injury protection. PIP coverage for these vehicles may be purchased separately.
Filing a No-Fault Claim
Within six months of the accident, no-fault claims must be filed. The driver is required to submit a completed application for benefits, verification of expenses, and a medical examination if requested.
Call Gunther Law Office for Help
We will fully outline your legal rights and options so you have a full understanding of your case. During your free consultation with a Minnesota car accident lawyer, we will evaluate your claim and decide what is the best way to proceed. Submitting a no-fault claim must be completed quickly to meet the mandatory filing dates. The sooner you meet with us, the sooner we can begin working on your claim. Let us handle your case and get you a full reward for your damages.
Resource:
revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=65B.42
