PIP, or Personal Injury Protection, insurance pays for your medical expenses and lost wages after a car accident, regardless of who was at fault. PIP insurance can get compensation in your pocket faster than liability insurance in most cases. PIP insurance is mandatory in some states, while you can purchase it as optional coverage in others.
Keep reading below to learn everything you need to know about PIP insurance in Maryland.
The Basics of PIP Coverage
After a car accident, you may have many types of accident-related medical expenses. You might also be forced to miss time from work due to your injuries, and this could result in lost wages. If you have PIP coverage, this type of insurance could provide benefits for both your medical expenses and your lost wages, no matter who caused the accident.
Unlike traditional auto liability insurance, there is no need to prove who was at fault when using PIP insurance. Instead, you simply file a claim with your own PIP coverage after your accident. Since fault or liability does not need to be established, you only need to prove that you were involved in a covered accident and provide evidence of your medical bills. Your PIP coverage should then pay your claim.
What Does PIP Insurance Cover?
PIP insurance can help greatly with many accident-related expenses. PIP coverage may vary slightly from state to state, and it also depends on the details of your specific policy. However, PIP generally covers:
Medical Expenses
If you have to seek medical treatment after your car accident, PIP will cover most of your treatment expenses, such as:
- Emergency care
- Ambulance transport
- Surgery
- Diagnostic tests, such as X-rays or CT scans
- Follow-up doctor visits
Keep in mind that PIP will only cover your medical expenses up to your policy limits. In some cases, the policy limits may be as low as $2,500. Additionally, some policies only cover 80% of your medical expenses.
Lost Wages
Wage replacement is another important benefit provided by PIP coverage. This can help you avoid a financial strain during periods of missed work after an accident. Again, PIP will only provide coverage up to your policy limits. Additionally, some policies will only pay for 60% of your lost wages until you are able to return to work.
Death Benefits
If you lose your life as a result of a covered accident, PIP will provide a one-time death benefit payment to your surviving spouse or other family members. This can help with funeral and burial expenses, and the amount of the death benefit should be specified in the details of your policy.
It is also worth noting that PIP coverage can extend to other individuals as well. It may also cover passengers, pedestrians, and other family members in your household. You should always check the details of your policy for specific coverage information.
Is PIP Insurance Mandatory in Maryland?
No, PIP coverage is not mandatory in Maryland. However, insurers must offer Personal Injury Protection coverage to drivers. If you decide to decline this coverage, you must notify your insurance company in writing of your decision to waive PIP coverage.
Although not mandatory, drivers are strongly encouraged to keep this type of coverage. It can provide quick benefits and compensation after an accident. Plus, Maryland has a strict contributory negligence rule. This means that if you are found to be even 1% at fault for your accident, you may be unable to recover any compensation from the other driver.
Benefits and Limitations of PIP Coverage
One of the biggest benefits of PIP coverage is that it provides quick compensation after an accident. Since there is no need to prove fault, claims can be handled and processed much quicker. This gets compensation in your pocket faster, and that can be a huge help after an accident.
However, PIP does not provide any compensation for your pain and suffering. These types of damages can have significant value, especially after a severe accident. Thankfully, in cases involving severe injuries, you may still be entitled to sue the at-fault driver for any damages exceeding your PIP coverage.
Understanding PIP coverage and how it may affect your ability to recover compensation from the other driver can be challenging. You may need the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer who can guide you through the claims process.
Contact the Lanham Personal Injury Lawyers at Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
If you have been hurt in a car accident, contact the experienced team at Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers for help today. We can assess all the available insurance coverage in your case and help you maximize your financial recovery.
While PIP coverage can provide quick compensation, you may also be entitled to sue the at-fault driver for additional damages. Contact us today at (301) 936-0011 to schedule a free consultation with a Lanham personal injury attorney and let us go to work for you.