Posted on Wednesday, June 12th, 2019 at 12:19 am
Seeking compensation for damages and losses after a car accident can be complicated. You may have more than one source of compensation available to you for your car accident injuries, depending on the facts and circumstances of your case. While no amount of money erases the pain, stress, anxiety, frustration, and inconvenience caused by a negligent driver, it can help alleviate some of the financial burdens caused by the auto accident.
Five Types of Compensation You May Receive for Your Car Accident Claim
Each of the following sources of compensation after a car accident claim has different requirements. You may or may not meet the requirements for each, but it is worth investigating so that you exhaust all potential sources of financial assistance after a car accident.
Liability Insurance Claim
A liability insurance claim is filed against the driver who caused the accident. The insurance provider for the at-fault driver should pay your financial and non-financial damages up to the policy limits. However, most insurance companies work diligently to limit their liability for an accident, even when it is clear that their insured caused the crash. Therefore, it could take months or even years to settle a liability insurance claim.
Health Insurance Benefits
If you have health insurance, your insurance company may pay for medical care related to the accident. Health insurance payments help victims receive the medical treatment they need as they prepare to file a liability insurance claim. Beware, your health insurance company has a claim against any money you receive from your car accident claim. In other words, you may have to pay back the health insurance provider for any payments it made related to the accident from the money you receive for your car accident claim.
Personal Injury Protection or Med Pay
If you carry personal injury protection (PIP) or Med Pay insurance, you may receive compensation from your insurance provider for medical bills, lost wages, and other financial damages. PIP and Med Pay are no-fault insurance policies. Therefore, you can receive compensation if you have this coverage even though fault for the car accident may still be in dispute.
Underinsured Motorist Coverage
You may not receive full compensation for all damages from a liability insurance claim. The at-fault driver’s insurance policy limits may not cover all your costs. If so, you may receive additional compensation from your insurance provider if you have underinsured motorist coverage. Your insurance company pays you the difference between the value of your claim and the amount paid by the liability insurance carrier.
Property Damage Claims
A claim for property damages is separate from all claims related to bodily injury. In most cases, the property damage claim is settled very soon after the accident, unless liability is disputed. The insurance company should pay to repair your vehicle. If your vehicle is totaled, the insurance company should pay an amount equal to the fair market value for your vehicle. You are responsible for the payment of any liens on the vehicle. In most cases, the insurance company writes the check to you and the loan company.
Contact a Sacramento Car Accident Attorney for Help
An experienced California car accident attorney can help you sort out the various injury and damage claims after an auto accident. Contact our Sacramento personal injury attorneys for a free consultation by calling The Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 or by visiting our website.
