How to Use Your PIP Coverage After a Cherry Hill Car Accident

New Jersey law makes every person involved in a car accident responsible for their own medical insurance. That’s why understanding Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is so important. PIP coverage is frequently referred to as “no-fault insurance coverage.” The reason for this is because all insurance policyholders in the state of New Jersey are eligible for PIP benefits directly after a car accident, regardless of who is at fault

PIP can be used to cover your medical bills and other essential expenses that typically accumulate after a car accident.

What medical costs does PIP cover?

Your PIP coverage may cover:

• Doctor and primary care office bills
• Emergency room and hospital overnight stays
• Prescriptions and medications
• Surgeries
• Rehabilitation, physical therapy, and occupational therapy
• Diagnostic tests, such as CT scans, X-rays, and MRIs
• Ambulance rides
• Specialist costs, such as chiropractors, neurologists, cardiologists, and more
• Medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, prosthetics, walkers, and more

What else does PIP cover after a Cherry Hill car accident?

Your PIP coverage may also provide compensation for wage loss, loss of household/essential services (like housekeeping, caregiving, or even walking the dog), and funeral and burial costs if the accident is fatal.

How much PIP coverage should I have?

The rules and standards around PIP coverage make it difficult to understand how much PIP you actually need, with many companies offering you to choose you “health insurance primary” or reduce your PIP coverage to as little as $15,000 per person or car accident with significant deductibles to reduce your rates.  However, if you suffer a serious injury such as a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or a limb amputation, your medical and living expenses will likely exceed your $15,000 PIP coverage very quickly. In order to be on the cautious side and save yourself money in the long run, it is always suggested that you choose a higher amount of PIP coverage if possible.

While you might think that it is best to save money on your car insurance costs and choose the lowest PIP coverage available, we recommend that you increase your PIP coverage amount by as much as possible. The “standard policy” affords $250,000 worth of benefit coverage subject to a limited lifetime claim deductible and copay.

I already have health insurance. Do I still have to get PIP coverage?

You really should purchase as much PIP coverage as you can, even if you have health insurance that will help you cover your medical costs. Moreover, a standard policy can cover so much more. With a standard PIP policy, you can receive $100 a week in wage loss benefits for up to 52 weeks, or up to $5,200. You can opt for a more robust disability wage reimbursement policy as well, and this wage loss amount increases.

You may also be able to seek reimbursement for childcare, laundry services, housekeeping services, and lawn care. The amount is low – about $12 a day – but when you cannot work and your bills are piling up, every little bit helps.

Do I need to prove anything for my PIP insurance coverage to start?

Even though PIP insurance coverage is typically available immediately for drivers in New Jersey, you will most likely still need to prove certain factors to ensure that you are being factual about your accident. A Cherry Hill car accident lawyer from Ferrara & Gable can assist you with obtaining all essential items and information to present to your insurance company, which may include:

• Police reports
• Medical records
• Medical bills
• Pay stubs and documentation showing that you are out of work
• Prescription or medical device receipts
• Doctor notes and statements

Your insurance company will want to see what exactly the PIP insurance is being used for. While this is vital information to the insurance company, it can also be used to show that you used all of your PIP coverage and need to file a lawsuit against the responsible party to seek additional compensation for other losses. Your car accident attorney will do everything possible to find other ways to help you recover your damages from the accident.

If you have questions or concerns about your PIP coverage after a crash, Ferrara & Gable encourages you to seek legal advice and assistance from our Cherry Hill car accident attorneys right away. We have the knowledge and resources to answer any of your questions and go over the necessary steps you should pursue to protect your legal rights today. Schedule your free and convenient consultation by calling our offices or submitting our contact form. We happily serve and lend a helping hand to all car accident victims in South Jersey.