Understanding Different Automobile Insurance Coverages
Navigating insurance coverage after a car accident is challenging, to say the least. The experienced Vancouver car accident lawyers at Schauermann Thayer can help you understand what you are dealing with and effectively present your claim to help ensure you are treated fairly.
If you have been injured in a car accident, it is vital that you understand the different types of coverage that are available to you. Doing so helps you navigate the initial claims process and medical treatment.
Find out about whether and how you qualify for financial compensation after a car accident by speaking with an attorney at Schauermann Thayer by calling (360) 695-4244. Our car accident lawyers represent clients in Washington and Oregon.
What Are Car Insurance Requirements Under Washington and Oregon Law?
It is a legal requirement under both Washington and Oregon law that a motorist must have car insurance coverage in order to drive. The minimum requirements in Washington are as follows:
- $25,000 – bodily injury per person
- $50,000 – bodily injury per accident
- $10,000 – property damage per accident
- Personal injury protection and uninsured motorist coverage are optional, but should be purchased out of an abundance of caution
- $25,000 – bodily injury per person
- $50,000 – bodily injury per accident
- $20,000 – property damage per accident
- $15,000 – personal injury protection
- Uninsured Motorist – $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
Liability Insurance
Liability insurance is a third-party coverage, meaning it covers someone else. Liability insurance can pay for damages that a driver causes when they are responsible for a car accident. As you can see from the figures listed above, liability insurance pays for bodily injuries and damages to another driver’s vehicle, but there are relatively low thresholds in each state. There are limits on the damages that each injured driver or passenger can claim, and a total limitation on the amount that the insurance company has to pay.
Liability insurance coverage is applicable if you can show that a driver was to blame for the crash. Specifically, you must prove that the driver did something that would be considered unreasonable under the circumstances. If that is the case, you should be able to pursue a claim against the other driver’s insurance company under the liability coverage. If the insurance company denies liability, you should seek guidance from an attorney to understand your options..
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured and Underinsured motorist insurance are first-party coverages, which means they cover the injured person. These types of coverage protect the injured person when the other driver involved in the crash either does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover the injured person’s damages. Given the increasing expense of car insurance coverage, some motorists will opt for the minimum amount of liability coverage, so they can still meet the minimum requirements and be able to drive. You cannot control who you are involved in a crash with on the road, and whether they follow the law or have purchased enough coverage.
These types of coverage are provided by your own insurance company. If the other driver did not have insurance, you would file a claim against your own coverage. If the other driver did not have enough coverage, your car insurance policy might kick in to cover the damages if your damages exceed the other driver’s liability policy limits.
Personal Injury Protection
Personal injury protection (PIP) is a no-fault medical payments coverage. If you have been injured in an accident and you have this coverage on your auto policy, you may use this coverage to pay for medical expenses and lost wages, up to the amount of your PIP policy limits. You can receive these payments, even if you are unable to prove that the other driver was at fault for the crash or if you caused a collision yourself. This coverage is available immediately after the accident, and is the first-in-line for covering injury-related treatment. Once you have used up all of your PIP coverage, your accident-related medical care may be covered by either your health insurance company or out-of-pocket payment.
Contact a Car Accident Law Firm in Washington or Oregon For Guidance
Learn more about how the car accident lawyers at Schauermann Thayer can help by calling us today at (360) 695-4244 or messaging us online to schedule a free initial consultation.
