What Is a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Claim, and Do I Need One?
If you drive in South Carolina, you’re required to carry liability coverage, and this is because the state takes a traditional fault-based approach to car accidents. If you’re injured by another driver’s negligence, you can seek compensation for your losses through their liability coverage. Carrying PIP coverage of your own, however, can also work to your advantage. Having an experienced Charleston car accident lawyer in your corner from the start helps to ensure that you’ll receive full and fair compensation – regardless of the policy or policies you turn to for coverage.
PIP Coverage in South Carolina Is Optional
PIP insurance coverage is optional in South Carolina, but the vast majority of car insurance providers offer PIP policies. Personal injury protection covers you regardless of who is responsible for the accident in question, and it can expedite the process.
With a PIP claim, you can settle the matter without proving the other driver’s negligence. This means that you could see compensation much faster than you would with a claim against the other driver’s liability coverage.
Finally, it’s important to note that a PIP claim and a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver’s provider are not mutually exclusive. These are separate claims, and if you’re entitled to coverage under both, they will be addressed independently of one another.
Your PIP Coverage
Your PIP policy will cover a specific percentage of the medical expenses you face as a direct result of the car accident in question – up to the limits set by your policy. If the injuries you suffer in the car accident keep you off the job, your PIP coverage can also address this form of loss. PIP, however, does not cover the physical and financial pain and suffering you endure in the car accident – the way a car accident filed with the at-fault driver’s provider could.
Filing a PIP Claim
There are a range of circumstances when it is in your best interest to file a PIP claim, including each of the following when you:
- Suffered more losses than the at-fault driver’s policy covers.
- Were injured in a hit-and-run accident.
- Suffered an injury due to an uninsured driver.
- Were injured in an accident that didn’t involve another driver.
Or:
- The insurance provider of the driver who caused you to be injured won’t engage in fair negotiations.
It’s important to note that uninsured motorist coverage is required in South Carolina, and this coverage can work in tandem with PIP to cover your full range of losses. The most important step you can take if you’ve been injured in a car accident is to consult with a reliable car accident attorney early on.
An Experienced Charleston Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
The trusted Charleston car accident attorneys at John Price Law Firm recognize how difficult your situation is and will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of the compensation to which you’re entitled. Learn more by contacting us online or calling us at 843-552-6011 and scheduling a free consultation today.