What You Need to Know About Texas Personal Injury Protection

Insurance is a notoriously complex product. There are many different types of insurance, and each covers different types of expenses. One type of insurance that you may need to cover your medical expenses after a crash is personal injury protection, or PIP. While PIP isn’t required in the state of Texas, most policies include it automatically.

Learning about the types of expenses PIP covers and how you might need to use this coverage after an accident is important. Before speaking with your insurance carrier, however, you may wish to seek the legal counsel of a Houston car accident attorney from Lapeze & Johns to empower you to receive the compensation you and your family need.

According to the Texas Department of Insurance , personal injury protection coverage is insurance that can be used after an accident to pay for you and your passengers’ medical bills. It may also cover other losses like lost wages and other expenses.

In Texas, all insurance policies include personal injury protection, and you will need to tell your insurance carrier in writing if you wish to remove this coverage. PIP covers each of the following losses after a car accident:

PIP is an important type of insurance that can save drivers considerable hassles in case of an accident. If you’ve had the misfortune of being involved in a car accident, you know that the last thing you want to worry about is how you’re going to pay the resulting expenses. Your number one priority should be the safety of yourself and your passengers.

In most states, including Texas, drivers are required to purchase a certain level of car insurance. This insurance can pay off certain amounts of expenses in case of an accident, and state requirements usually stipulate that a driver must have the coverage to pay for the damages a car wreck may cause.

In Texas, drivers are required to purchase the following types and amounts of insurance:

You’ll notice that personal injury protection isn’t on the list of required coverage. PIP is considered optional coverage.

If you want to seek personal injury protection compensation after an accident, there are a few things you will want to do in the aftermath of the car crash. First, you will need to document both the crash and injuries you sustained as a result of the crash. This means taking photos, obtaining a police report, and seeking medical attention for your injuries as soon as possible. This evidence will be needed to make a strong claim.

You will need to report your accident to your insurance company as soon as possible as well. Some carriers have a 24 to 72-hour time limit for reporting an accident, and after you’ve submitted the necessary documentation, you will need to wait up to 30 days for a judgment from your insurance carrier. 

While it’s important to contact your insurance company as soon as you can, you may wish to seek the advice of a Houston car accident attorney before speaking to an insurance agent. An insurance company is a business, and your insurance agent’s job is largely to save their company money. An attorney may be able to ensure that you receive the most out of your compensation as possible.

There are some cases in which you may not need to file with your insurance agency to seek PIP compensation. Specifically, if another person caused your accident, that person’s insurance provider may be liable for paying your medical expenses and other losses.

However, if the at-fault driver doesn’t have PIP coverage, you may still need to file a claim with your own insurer. It’s worth noting that your insurance company may not provide a settlement large enough to cover your expenses. In that particular case, you may need to speak with a Houston car accident attorney from Lapeze & Johns now.

What You Need to Know About Texas Personal Injury Protection

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