What Is a Personal Injury Insurance Claim?
Personal injury insurance claims arise when the negligent acts of others injure people. While bodily injury coverage does not cover animals, property damage coverage often does. Many different categories of damages are covered under bodily insurance coverage. For example, a general personal injury insurance policy may cover lost future earnings, lost wages, past medical bills, future medical bills, and pain and suffering.
If you have suffered a bodily injury during a motor vehicle accident, contact our trusted California injury attorneys today to schedule a free consultation. We can discuss the facts of your case and determine whether you can file a claim. Drivers in California should typically purchase underinsured motorist coverage.
This type of insurance coverage allows you to submit an insurance claim if the driver who caused your injuries did not have adequate insurance at the time of the incident. Arash Khorsandi’s experienced personal injury attorneys at Arash Law can help you recover the financial compensation you deserve.
What Does Bodily Injury Insurance Cover?
If you are at fault in an automobile accident, a bodily injury insurance policy will pay for the injuries you cause to others. Most bodily injury insurance policies pay for funeral costs, lost wages, and medical bills. However, bodily injury insurance will not pay for the medical bills associated with injuries you suffer in an accident. Instead, it covers losses that third parties may sustain because of your actions.
What Exactly Does a Bodily Injury Insurance Policy Cover?
A third party may file a claim against you for the following categories of damages:
- Funeral costs associated with the burial of someone who died due to the incident
- Legal fees that arise due to the incident. Your insurance policy covers legal fees related to any claim that arises as a result of your actions. The insurance company will pay for the legal services if the injured party sues you.
- Your policy may cover lost wages if the other party suffered serious bodily injury and could not go to work. The insurance policy should pay for the income the injured person could have earned if they did not suffer injuries.
- Bodily injury insurance policies usually cover medical expenses. These costs included medical care, follow-up appointments, and emergency room fees.
Every jurisdiction in the United States has its minimum coverage amount that drivers must carry as part of any automobile insurance policy. In California, you must carry $15,000 per person and $30,000 per incident in bodily injury coverage. Different states will have different minimum amounts.
How Do I File A Bodily Injury Insurance Claim?
It is a third-party claim when you file a bodily injury insurance claim. You are filing a claim against the insurance company that provided automobile insurance for the driver who caused the motor vehicle collision. You need to make sure expenses are covered.
To do so, you must adequately document the motor vehicle accident and any associated records, such as medical records, medical bills, and income statements. You should gather the following documents and be ready to communicate the following information before you file a claim:
- Establish lost wages if the accident caused you to lose income because you could not go to work.
- Any physical or digital receipts of expenses related to the accident
- All medical bills from medical examiners or doctors who provided you with medical treatment
- Any photographs of the accident scene
- Any photographs of the physical injuries you suffered during the accident
- A thorough narrative of what exactly happened before, during, and after the motor vehicle accident
You should be ready to communicate the following information after you file a claim:
- Only sign a release form if you are certain that you will not require any further medical treatment or medical assessment. Insurance companies will attempt to have you waive all of your future rights to file a claim against the individual or legal entity after the settlement agreement is signed. Consider your future medical bills and any expenses that may come about in the months ahead. You should ask an attorney to review the settlement agreement and release form.
- You may have to file an insurance claim and obtain compensation within a specific period. State law may dictate when you might be required to accept a settlement within the required time limit. You may accept the offer from the insurance company or file a complaint if you do not accept the settlement agreement.
- You should understand the facts related to the incident and be prepared to talk about them in detail. Insurance claims adjusters and liability examiners will ask for details regarding the incident. Be prepared to discuss how your injuries arose and your medical treatment after the motor vehicle accident.
- You will likely learn about your insurance claim within a specific time. The length of time will vary depending on the specific details of your insurance policy and the state in which you reside.
What Is A Property Damage Insurance Claim?
Property damage insurance claims provide coverage during a traffic collision. Property damage typically involves replacing or repairing a damaged automobile, damage to personal property inside an automobile, damage to personal property outside the vehicle, and other forms of property damage. Most property damage insurance policies also cover rental expenses and towing costs.
A property damage insurance claim may involve damage to a pet. A party may claim veterinary costs as part of a property damage claim. If you have collision insurance, your insurance company may provide financial assistance for your pet’s health care costs.
Collision insurance damage is important, and it can provide added protection for those covered under the insurance policy. Suppose the at-fault driver causes damage to your automobile, and you have collisions coverage. In that case, the insurance company will provide financial assistance for the repair or replacement costs associated with the automobile.
The law requires drivers to have property damage liability coverage as part of their automobile insurance policies. Property damage coverage pays for the cost of property damage caused to another party. Property damage will provide coverage even if you harm a vehicle, residential property, or personal property.
If you have questions regarding property damage or bodily injury insurance, contact our acclaimed injury firm today to schedule a free consultation. Call the office at (888) 488-1391 to learn more about our legal services. The attorneys at Arash Law run by the talented team of Arash Khorsandi, Esq. have decades of experience representing clients throughout the State of California. We have recovered over $500 million for clients in San Francisco, Riverside, Sacramento, San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
What Is Covered By Property Damage Insurance?
If you are in a traffic collision and incur any financial costs, the property damage insurance policy will pay for these costs. Property damage insurance is similar to bodily injury insurance coverage because it provides financial payment and allows drivers to accept financial obligations for property damage that arose during the accident.
Specific types of coverage apply for each accident. An insurance company will pay the costs only to the amount listed on your insurance policy. Some examples of what may a property damage insurance policy policy may cover include:
- Expenses that recur but arose from property damage suffered during the motor vehicle accident
- Income lost due to a business closing caused by the motor vehicle accident
- Legal fees brought on by the property damage claim
- Repair and replacement costs for other forms of personal property such as street signs, mailboxes, and houses
- Replacement costs for the other party’s automobile and repair costs associated with vehicle parts
What Is The Average Cost Of Property Damage Liability Insurance?
$5,000 to $100,000 is the average range for the amounts of damage covered under most property damage liability insurance policies. Some insurance companies may offer different options to policyholders depending on specific factors graded by the insurance companies. You will likely have more expensive insurance premiums if you obtain a property damage liability insurance policy.
If you obtain twice the amount of coverage, you may not see a commensurate increase in the cost of your property damage insurance premiums. Some insurance companies may only charge a small percentage increase for greater property damage coverage.
You may only see a premium increase of five dollars per year if you obtain an additional $80,000 in property damage coverage under your insurance policy. These small increases will typically not be affected by a driver’s motor vehicle report or the type of automobile covered under the policy.
What Is the Best Amount of Property Damage Liability Insurance For Me To Have?
The amount of damage that accidents cause can vary widely. As a result, the amount of coverage you need depends on your tolerance for risk. An individual can choose a greater amount to ensure that they are protected if a catastrophic accident occurs.
Average property damage claims are approximately $2,500. However, claims go up every year, and the average property damage claim amount may soon be approximately $5,000. The minimum amount in some U.S. states may be greater. If you obtain large amounts of property damage insurance coverage, you will have extra support after an accident that results in significant property damage.
How Do I File a Property Damage Liability Insurance Claim?
Most property damage insurance policies pay for the damage you cause to another party’s automobile or personal property. You are not the individual who will make property damage claims against your automobile insurance policy. Most property damage liability claims are “third-party” automobile insurance claims. You or another party may file a claim against the insurance policy covering the individual who caused the motor vehicle accident.
The policy limits of any property damage insurance policy are important. These policy limits determine the highest amount the insurance company will cover as part of any individual traffic collision. The individual who files the property damage insurance claim may seek financial compensation from the person covered under the insurance policy if the property damage that results from the traffic collision is greater than the policy limit. Some drivers may be sued in court so that injured parties can recover property damage costs.
Suppose a driver is responsible for a motor vehicle collision but cannot recover sufficient funds from the property damage insurance. In that case, the driver can use collision insurance to obtain the remainder. Collision insurance is not mandatory, but it is usually a good idea to obtain this type of insurance, although it can be overpriced.
We are here to help you with any questions you may have regarding insurance. Being involved in an accident is a stressful experience. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation during which we can discuss the facts of your case.
Will My Personal Injury Lawyer Work On Property Damage and Personal Injury Insurance Claims?
Most personal injury attorneys handle property damage claims but only as part of a larger personal injury case. Insurance companies will often know who is responsible for causing a specific motor vehicle collision. Insurance companies will not often fight claimants who want to recover for property damage.
The majority of automobile accidents do not cause excessive amounts of property damage. Insurance companies must also settle claims within a reasonable amount of time. In California, all insurance companies must acknowledge notice of property damage claims within fifteen days. Also, insurance companies in California must settle property damage claims within thirty days of accepting or denying the property damage claim.
Sometimes an accident victim can resolve a property damage claim for $200. At other times a victim may resolve a property damage claim for $2000. If you have collision insurance on the automobile that sustained damage during the accident, the policy will cover repairs and replacement costs.
What Are the Main Differences Between Bodily Injury Liability Coverage And Property Damage Coverage?
Liability coverage falls into two categories: bodily injury liability and property damage liability. Most jurisdictions in the United States require all drivers to have both bodily injury and property damage coverage. Bodily injury liability coverage provides financial payment for another party’s injury bills arising from an automobile accident. This form of coverage most often helps pay for another party’s medical expenses.
Property damage liability coverage provides financial payment for damage caused to another party’s automobile or personal property. Property damage liability coverage often helps cover the cost of repairing or replacing property. Many states require that all drivers have a minimum amount of liability coverage for property damage.
Call Us Today to Speak with a California Personal Injury Attorney
Contact our trusted law firm today if you or a loved one suffered personal injury during a motor vehicle accident. You can schedule a free consultation during which we can discuss the facts of your case. Call us at (888) 488-1391 or contact us online to learn more about our services.
The personal injury attorneys at Arash Law founded by Arash Khorsandi, Esq. have decades of experience representing clients throughout the State of California. We have recovered over $500 million for clients in San Francisco, Riverside, Sacramento, San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
