Understanding How PIP Works in South Carolina Car Accident Cases
Personal injury protection (PIP) or no-fault insurance is a required or optional (depending on the state) element of an auto insurance policy that pays for healthcare bills and other qualified expenses related to a motor vehicle crash, regardless of who caused the crash. It applies to injured policyholders and their passengers, whether they have health insurance.
With that said, motorists in South Carolina are not required to carry PIP coverage because South Carolina is an at-fault state. That means that motorists who are at fault in car accidents are liable for the injuries and related losses of the other party. However, whether or not you have PIP coverage, you should consult an established motor vehicle accident lawyer in Charleston, SC, to learn the laws that apply to your case and how to acquire full compensation for your accident-related expenses.
What Does PIP Cover in Car Accident Claims?
PIP typically covers the following expenses:
- Healthcare expenses, including hospital stays, emergency services, surgery, medications, physical therapy, and others
- Lost earnings
- Household services
- Burial and funeral costs
- Death benefits
It doesn’t cover property damage and theft. If the accident involves multiple people, PIP coverage is limited to a set amount for everyone.
We Understand PIP Coverage in Charleston Car Accidents
PIP coverage covers your healthcare costs following a motor vehicle accident up to your policy limits. You need to file a claim with your PIP insurer, and they must write you a check for the amount sought. Because PIP is no-fault insurance, you don’t need to prove fault and liability and wait to settle your claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer to get your money.
Having PIP coverage can help protect you and your passengers from unanticipated healthcare expenses after a motor vehicle accident. It can benefit you in various situations. For instance, if you or a passenger suffers severe injuries, it can help cover your medical bills while waiting for your payout from the at-fault driver’s insurance provider.
It can likewise be helpful if you have inadequate health insurance or don’t have health insurance. In such cases, you can pay for medical treatments and related costs that your health insurance may not cover.
While you are not required to carry PIP coverage in South Carolina when driving, the state requires you to have specific insurance plans. These policies include bodily injury liability coverage for covering injuries to other people in a crash that you caused and property damage liability coverage for paying damage you cause to other people’s property. You must also have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which covers your injuries and property damage in an accident caused by an uninsured motorist or hit-and-run driver.
Our Seasoned Accident Attorneys Can Help You
To learn more about how PIP coverage may apply to your situation and the compensation options available after getting injured in a crash, speak to our Charleston, SC, motor vehicle accident lawyer. You can schedule your free case evaluation with our Charleston, SC, motor vehicle accident attorney by filling out our online contact form or calling the John Price Law Firm at 843-552-6011.