Car accidents can lead to significant physical, emotional, and financial hardships. If you are facing these challenges, know that there are various sources of potential compensation available after an injury. Insurance is typically the first option, but it is not the only one.
What Types of Insurance Coverage Can Provide Compensation?
Insurance policies represent the most common source of compensation after a car accident. Most states require drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, which covers damages the policyholder causes to others. When another driver is at fault for your injuries, their liability insurance might pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to policy limits.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, mandatory in no-fault states, covers your medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident. This coverage pays benefits relatively quickly because it does not require the determination of fault.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage becomes valuable when the at-fault driver lacks insurance or has insufficient coverage to pay for all damages. This optional coverage helps fill the gap between what the at-fault driver cannot pay and your total damages.
If you receive a settlement from the at-fault driver’s insurance, your insurance company may seek reimbursement through a process called subrogation.
How Does My Own Health Insurance Factor Into Compensation?
Health insurance can serve as a significant source of compensation for medical treatment after a car accident. Like auto coverage, the health insurance provider may cover your medical expenses, subject to your deductible, copayments, and coverage limitations.
What Compensation Is Available Through Workers’ Compensation?
If your car accident occurred while performing job duties, Workers’ Compensation benefits might apply. Workers’ Compensation typically covers medical expenses and a portion of lost wages related to workplace injuries, including those sustained in work-related car accidents. This system operates without regard to fault, meaning you can receive benefits even if you caused an accident.
Can Government Benefits Provide Compensation for Car Accident Injuries?
In certain circumstances, government programs may offer financial assistance after a car accident. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides benefits to individuals whose injuries prevent them from working for at least 12 months. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) offers assistance based on financial need for disabled individuals with limited resources.
What Additional Sources of Compensation Should I Consider?
Umbrella insurance policies provide extra liability coverage beyond the limits of standard auto insurance. If you or the at-fault driver holds an umbrella policy, this additional coverage may become available once underlying policy limits are exhausted.
For accidents involving faulty vehicles or components, product liability claims against manufacturers or distributors represent another potential avenue for compensation. These claims require proving that a defect in the vehicle or one of its parts contributed to the accident or worsened the resulting injuries.
When Might I Need to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
In situations where insurance coverage proves insufficient or when an insurance company denies a legitimate claim, our legal team often attempts to negotiate fair settlements. When that is not successful, filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party may become necessary.
Through negotiations or litigation, you may recover damages for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, property damage, and in some cases, punitive damages designed to punish particularly reckless behavior. Legal representation by an experienced attorney can significantly increase your chances of obtaining fair compensation for damages incurred in motor vehicle crashes.
Atlantic County Car Accident Lawyers at Kitrick, McWeeney & Wells, LLC Help Clients Pursue Compensation for DamagesThe Kitrick, McWeeney & Wells, LLC legal team works diligently to identify all possible sources of compensation and advocate for the maximum recovery available under the law. For a free consultation, call our Atlantic County car accident lawyers at 732-920-8383 or complete our online form. Our Manasquan and Brick, New Jersey offices serve clients throughout the state.