What expenses does PIP typically cover in Utah? Personal Injury Protection (PIP) covers medical expenses, lost wages, and household needs up to certain amounts. Sometimes, accident damages exceed PIP policies.
A Utah car accident lawyer can help you seek compensation from the party who caused your accident.
Utah’s No-fault Car Insurance System
When it comes to car accidents, Utah is a no-fault state. This means that when you are injured in a crash, your own PIP insurance covers your medical expenses and some other accident-related losses even if you are not the one who caused the accident. The no-fault system does not provide coverage for vehicle damage, your pain and suffering, or non-tangible losses.
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State Insurance Requirements
All Utah drivers must carry minimum insurance coverage per Utah Code 31A-22-302. The required policy elements include:
- $3,000 in PIP
- $25,000 or $30,000 for third-party injuries for one person, depending on when the policy is issued, per Utah Code 31A-22-304
- $65,000 for third-party injuries for two or more people
- $15,000 or $25,000 for third-party property damage, depending on when the policy is issued
An attorney can provide a full understanding of Utah No-fault insurance coverage and how it applies to your situation.
PIP Coverage for Medical Expenses
You can sustain injuries ranging from moderate to catastrophic in a crash. Medical treatment is always expensive, so it’s important to know who pays the medical bills from car accident injuries. The first option for all insurance-carrying Utah drivers is PIP. PIP typically covers your immediate medical care needs and rehabilitation treatments.
If you are injured as a passenger in someone else’s car, their PIP coverage applies to you. After filing under that policy, you can also seek coverage through your own PIP if you are a licensed driver. While $3,000 represents the minimum amount for PIP, you can increase policy amounts for more coverage.
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PIP Typically Covers Lost Wages, Household Needs, and Funeral Expenses in Utah Accidents
Other expenses PIP typically covers include lost wages and household needs, up to your policy limits. Sometimes, insurance companies push back on claims.
They might say your injury is not accident-related and deny you coverage. A Utah car accident lawyer can help recover medical expenses and lost wages, holding your insurance company accountable for paying what they owe.
Per Utah Code 31A-22-307, PIP provides partial wage recovery of up to $250 per week for up to 52 weeks. You may also receive $20 per day for up to 365 days to cover household responsibilities that your injuries prevent you from fulfilling. If your loved one dies in the crash, PIP provides $1,500 for funeral expenses.
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How PIP Works When the At-Fault Driver Is Uninsured
PIP insurance will cover you if you’re hit by an uninsured driver. One of the benefits of the no-fault system is that your own insurance provides coverage whether you are to blame or the at-fault driver has no insurance. As with other crash scenarios, the expenses PIP typically covers are your medical costs and other specific financial losses up to your policy limits.
If your costs exceed those limits, you may collect additional coverage through your own uninsured or underinsured motorist policy. Per Utah insurance requirements, insurance companies must include this coverage in all policies. It can only be removed if it is “affirmatively waived” by you, the client.
When Your Accident Losses Exceed PIP Limits
If you carry the minimum PIP coverage of $3,000, your medical costs can quickly exceed that limit. Even one trip to the emergency room is enough to create that scenario. Since that minimum represents coverage for all PIP-covered costs, it’s easy to see how your medical needs, income loss, and accident-incurred costs can put you into serious financial distress.
Utah Code 31A-22-309 establishes a threshold that allows victims to seek coverage from the at-fault party after exhausting their own PIP. Injuries or conditions permitting you to pursue third-party damages include:
- Dismemberment
- Permanent disability or impairment
- Disfigurement
- Bone fracture
- Medical costs exceeding $3,000
Under this law, the loved ones of those killed in a crash can seek additional third-party compensation through a wrongful death claim.
How to Pursue Damages Through a Third-Party Claim
It’s best to consult with an attorney quickly after an accident. You may not realize the full impact of your losses at first. An experienced attorney can assess them, considering how the accident affects your present and future situation, and lead your fight for justice and compensation.
You not only have to meet Utah’s threshold to collect damages for a car accident, but you also have to show you are less than 50% to blame for the accident leading to your damages. If you meet this additional threshold, but still hold some fault, your compensation is reduced proportionally.
An attorney can review your situation and determine if you have a valid claim. With a fast legal partnership, your attorney can immediately get to work investigating the crash and compiling evidence to support your claim and get you compensated beyond what PIP typically covers in Utah.
Additional Compensation Potentially Available to You
You may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages after your car accident. Economic damages recover your financial costs. These usually include medical expenses, lost income, costs for property repairs or replacement, and additional accident-related expenses.
Non-economic damages acknowledge the non-tangible losses incurred by the accident and subsequent injuries. Injuries cause physical pain and emotional suffering. Your entire quality of life can be negatively affected. Though they don’t come with a bill, these losses hold tremendous value and deserve financial recognition.
Get the Coverage and Compensation You Deserve
The Utah car accident attorneys at Siegfried & Jensen can help you get the coverage and compensation you deserve after a crash. Connect with us today.
Expenses PIP typically covers, such as medical costs and lost wages, often surpass your policy limits. We can work to make sure your insurance company pays what they owe and fight to hold negligent third parties accountable for compensating you as well.
Call or text (801) 266-0999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form