Insurance Policy Limits When You Are Injured in St. Louis Car Crash

When you're hit in a car crash and the other driver is at fault, their insurance policy limits come into play to determine the maximum amount their insurance company will pay to cover your damages. Here's a breakdown of what policy limits mean for you:

Understanding Policy Limits

Car insurance policies typically include various coverage types, including:

  • Bodily Injury Liability (BI): This covers medical expenses and lost wages for injuries you and your passengers sustain in an accident caused by the insured driver.
  • Property Damage Liability (PD): This covers damage to your vehicle and other property caused by the at-fault driver.

Each coverage type has a policy limit, which is the maximum amount the insurance company will pay per person injured (for BI) or per accident (for PD). These limits are usually displayed in a format like "$50,000/$100,000/$50,000." Here's what each number represents:

  • First Number: The maximum amount the insurance company will pay per person injured in the accident.
  • Second Number: The maximum amount the insurance company will pay for all injuries sustained in the accident, regardless of the number of people injured.
  • Third Number: The maximum amount the insurance company will pay to cover property damage in the accident.

Example:

Let's say the at-fault driver has a policy limit of $50,000/$100,000/$25,000. If you and your passenger are both injured in the accident, and your medical bills total $70,000, the insurance company would typically only pay up to $50,000 for your injuries and potentially another $50,000 for your passenger's injuries, depending on the specific details of the policy and how fault is determined. There might not be enough coverage to fully compensate for all the medical bills in this scenario. The remaining $20,000 would be your responsibility, unless you have additional coverage like underinsured motorist insurance (discussed later).

Policy Limits Don't Always Cover Everything

It's important to understand that policy limits might not cover all your damages in a car accident. Here are some things to consider:

  • Pain and Suffering: While medical expenses are covered under BI liability, pain and suffering from the accident might not be. You might need to sue the at-fault driver directly to recover compensation for non-economic damages.
  • Lost Wages: Lost wages due to the accident might be covered under BI liability, but there might be limitations depending on the policy.
  • Exceeding Policy Limits: If your damages exceed the at-fault driver's policy limits, you might be left with outstanding bills.

Protecting Yourself with Additional Coverage

Here are some types of insurance coverage that can help protect you in case the at-fault driver's policy limits aren't enough:

  • Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM): This coverage kicks in if the at-fault driver doesn't have enough insurance to cover your damages.
  • Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay): This coverage helps pay for medical expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of who is at fault in the accident.

Finding Out About Policy Limits

There are a few ways to find out about the at-fault driver's policy limits:

  • The Police Report: The police report might include information about the at-fault driver's insurance company and policy limits.
  • Exchanging Information: When exchanging information with the other driver after the accident, you can ask for their insurance company and policy limits.
  • Your Insurance Company: Your insurance company can help you obtain information about the at-fault driver's policy limits.

Consulting a Personal Injury Lawyer

A personal injury lawyer can be invaluable in navigating car accident cases, especially when policy limits are involved. They can:

  • Investigate the accident and determine the at-fault driver's insurance company and policy limits.
  • Help negotiate with the insurance company to maximize your compensation within the policy limits.
  • Advise you on whether to pursue an underinsured motorist claim if the at-fault driver's policy limits aren't enough.
  • Represent you in court if necessary.

Remember, understanding policy limits is crucial after a car accident. If you've been injured in a car crash and the other driver is at fault, consulting with a personal injury lawyer can ensure your rights are protected and you receive fair compensation for your damages.

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