Five Reasons to have Personal Injury Protection Auto Insurance in Houston
Drivers in Houston, TX are legally required to carry minimum liability insurance of $30,000 per person for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage. Personal Injury Protection is an additional coverage option that insurance companies are legally required to offer. It’s not compulsory for drivers, but it can be invaluable if you need to file a claim. If you have been in an accident, our Houston personal injury lawyers can advise you on how to proceed.
Five Reasons to Have Personal Injury Protection Auto Insurance in Houston, TX
1: Fault Doesn’t Matter
In a standard auto liability claim in Texas, you must be assigned 50% or less liability to receive a settlement. When you file a claim for Personal Injury Protection (PIP), liability does not need to be proven. This means you will be entitled to receive a settlement even if the accident was your fault. Crucially, this also means that the settlement offer will not be reduced due to the other party claiming you were partly liable.
2: All People in the Vehicle are Covered
PIP covers the passengers in a vehicle, not just the driver who holds the insurance. Every person in the vehicle can claim for a range of expenses and costs, including:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of wages
- Essential services such as childcare and housekeeping
- Funeral and burial costs
3: Payouts Can Be Swift
Without the need to prove liability, PIP claims should be quicker to process. This means you shouldn’t experience any delays nor have to provide reams of evidence to prove your entitlement.
4: Protects Non-Vehicular Modes of Transport
If you have PIP coverage, you are protected even when you aren’t driving. If you are involved in an accident as either a pedestrian or cyclist, you can file a claim for PIP. The same coverage limits apply as when you are driving a car.
5: Pays Out for Uninsured Drivers
As PIP involves a claim on your own insurance, you are still protected if you are in an accident with an uninsured driver. If the other driver is underinsured or even has no insurance at all, you can file a claim for PIP in the same way you would normally do.
Seek Advice From a Personal Injury Lawyer
PIP is undoubtedly a valuable benefit to include on your auto insurance, but not every claim goes to plan. Insurance companies may still attempt to delay claims, or they may offer an unfairly low settlement. A personal injury attorney can protect your best interests, negotiating with the insurer to ensure you receive a fair payout swiftly.
You may also find that your PIP coverage isn’t sufficiently high to pay for all your losses. You may need to file a separate liability claim or a lawsuit. Your attorney is even more vital for these steps, and will represent you all the way to court, where necessary.
With more than 20 years experience in personal injury claims, our Houston personal injury lawyers are confident of securing the best outcome for you. We are proud to serve clients in Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Harris County, The Woodlands, Galveston County, TX and all nearby areas. . Contact the Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec in Houston, TX to schedule a free consultation.
