Orlando Harmon
Personal injury is a legal term for harm to the body, mind, or emotions, as opposed to damage to property. In insurance, personal injury is typically defined as acts that violate the rights of a person or business, excluding bodily injuries (physical harm). This includes libel, slander, and copyright infringement. Personal injury protection (PIP), also known as no-fault insurance, is a component of auto insurance that covers medical expenses and lost wages resulting from a car accident, regardless of who is at fault. PIP is available in some states but not others and is required in 15 states and Puerto Rico.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Personal injury is a legal term for an injury to the body, mind, or emotions, as opposed to an injury to property. |
| Insurance Coverage | Personal injury coverage is found under commercial general liability and homeowners policies. |
| Insurable Offenses | Insurable offenses that produce harm other than bodily injury. |
| Examples | False arrest, detention, or imprisonment; malicious prosecution; wrongful eviction; slander; libel; invasion of privacy. |
| No-Fault Insurance | Personal injury protection (PIP), also known as no-fault insurance, covers medical expenses and related costs resulting from an accident, regardless of who caused it. |
| Medical Expenses | PIP covers medical expenses for both injured policyholders and passengers, even if they don't have health insurance. |
| Income Loss | PIP provides payments for lost income, childcare, and funeral expenses related to the accident. |
| State Requirements | PIP auto insurance is required in 15 states and Puerto Rico, with varying minimum coverage requirements set by state governments. |
| Maximum Coverage | Maximum coverage limits are typically set by insurance companies and can vary but are usually no more than $25,000. |
What You'll Learn
Personal injury protection (PIP)
PIP covers medical expenses, including ongoing professional care, and reasonable expenses related to rehabilitation. It also covers lost wages, funeral expenses, and some home care expenses such as childcare or house cleaning. In some states, PIP includes a deductible, with a range of deductible amounts to choose from.
The cost of PIP insurance varies based on the policy's coverage limit and deductible, as well as the state. Minimum coverage requirements are set by state governments and can vary, while maximums are usually set by insurance companies and are typically no more than $25,000.
In no-fault states, drivers must carry PIP coverage, and their own insurance policy will cover their expenses after an accident, regardless of who caused it. No-fault states also put restrictions on the right to sue, allowing only lawsuits that involve severe injuries.
While PIP covers the policyholder's own expenses, bodily injury liability insurance covers the medical expenses of drivers and passengers in other cars when the policyholder is at fault for an accident. Liability insurance also covers legal costs if the policyholder is sued due to a car accident.
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No-fault insurance
A typical no-fault car insurance policy covers medical expenses, lost wages if injuries prevent the policyholder or their passengers from working, critical services such as childcare, and funeral expenses. It is important to note that no-fault insurance does not usually cover damages for pain and suffering.
When making a no-fault insurance claim, you would submit your claim to your own insurance company, providing details about the accident, the extent of your injuries, and documentation of your medical expenses or lost wages. The insurance company would then process your claim and pay for your expenses according to the coverage limits of your policy.
In conclusion, no-fault insurance provides valuable protection for drivers and their passengers, offering quick and efficient coverage of medical expenses and other related costs resulting from a car accident, regardless of who is at fault.
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Tort lawsuits
Personal injury is a legal term for harm to the body, mind, or emotions, rather than to property. In common law jurisdictions, the term is most often used to refer to a type of tort lawsuit in which the plaintiff has suffered harm to their body or mind.
Tort cases can cover simple accidents like slip and fall, dog bite, and motor vehicle accident cases. They also include intentional harms like assault, defamation, and infliction of emotional distress. Civil tort claims are different from criminal law violations as they are prosecuted by the state.
In the context of personal injury, tort lawsuits are filed against the person or entity that caused the harm through negligence, gross negligence, reckless conduct, or intentional misconduct. The injured party may be entitled to monetary compensation from the defendant through a settlement or judgment.
Personal injury torts may be the subject of class-action lawsuits, where multiple plaintiffs join a mass lawsuit because they have been injured in similar ways by the same wrongful conduct.
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Personal injury offences
Personal injury is a legal term for harm to the body, mind, or emotions, excluding damage to property. Personal injury lawsuits are filed against the person or entity that caused the harm through negligence, gross negligence, reckless conduct, or intentional misconduct.
Personal injury protection (PIP), also known as "no-fault insurance," is a component of automobile insurance that covers the costs associated with bodily injuries sustained in a car accident, regardless of who is at fault. PIP is mandatory in some states and optional in others. It covers the policyholder, passengers in the policyholder's vehicle, and in some cases, pedestrians. PIP covers medical expenses, lost income, and funeral costs.
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Personal injury compensation
Personal injury is a legal term for harm to the body, mind, or emotions, as opposed to damage to property. Personal injury lawsuits are filed against the person or entity that caused the harm through negligence, gross negligence, reckless conduct, or intentional misconduct.
Personal injury protection (PIP), also known as "no-fault insurance," is a component of an automobile insurance plan that covers the healthcare expenses and other related costs resulting from a car accident. PIP is available in some states but not others. It covers medical expenses for both injured policyholders and passengers, regardless of whether they have health insurance.
General damages compensate for the pain, suffering, and loss of amenity experienced by the claimant. The severity of the injury largely dictates the amount, with more serious injury claims warranting higher compensation. General damages can also be awarded to compensate for the stress of the accident and any ongoing mental trauma experienced by the claimant.
Special damages relate to the financial loss suffered and/or any costs incurred as a result of the injury. This includes lost wages/loss of earning capacity, medical expenses, the cost of repairing or replacing property, and travel expenses to medical appointments, among other things.
The amount of personal injury compensation awarded will depend on various factors, including the type and severity of the injury, the psychological and emotional impact, loss of earnings, and medical expenses. Each claim is unique, and so the amount of compensation will vary accordingly.
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Frequently asked questions
Personal injury is a legal term for an injury to the body, mind, or emotions, whereas bodily injury refers specifically to physical harm.
PIP, also known as no-fault insurance, covers medical expenses and lost wages resulting from an accident, regardless of who is at fault. It also covers funeral costs and lost income for surviving dependents in the event of the policyholder's death.
PIP does not cover the injuries of other drivers in a collision, any injuries sustained while committing a crime, or injuries sustained while being paid to drive.
If the cost of medical care exceeds the PIP limits of the auto insurance policy, health insurance may cover further expenses.
PIP covers medical costs for the policyholder and anyone in their vehicle, regardless of who is at fault. Liability insurance, on the other hand, covers medical costs for a third party if the policyholder is at fault.
