Car accidents happen when you least expect them, leaving you to deal with vehicle damage, medical bills, and legal claims. The right insurance coverage serves as your financial shield during these challenging times. Each type of coverage plays a different role in protecting you, your vehicle, and your finances after an accident.
A Knoxville car accident lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of insurance claims, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, vehicle repairs, and other losses.
Property Damage Liability Insurance
Property damage liability insurance covers the cost of repairs when you’re at fault in an accident that damages someone else’s property. This includes their vehicle, home, business storefront, or other structures. Tennessee requires all drivers to carry at least $15,000 for property damage per accident, but this minimum amount often falls short of actual repair costs. Selecting higher limits provides better protection against costly claims that you would otherwise be on the hook for.
Bodily Injury Liability Insurance
When you cause an accident that injures others, bodily injury liability insurance covers their medical expenses, lost wages, and other associated damages. This protection extends to passengers in other vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists affected by the accident.
Like property damage coverage, Tennessee requires all drivers to carry at least $25,000 in coverage for bodily injury or death of one person in an accident and $50,000 in coverage for total bodily injury or death liability per accident. However, these minimums can quickly be exhausted after a catastrophic collision.
Personal Injury Protection Coverage
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) pays for your medical bills regardless of who caused the accident. This no-fault coverage kicks in immediately after an accident, covering medical treatments, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and even services you cannot perform due to your injuries, such as childcare or housekeeping. PIP coverage is not required in Tennessee but can help protect your interests in certain situations, like hit-and-run collisions or accidents where you are at fault.
Comprehensive and Collision Coverage
Collision coverage pays for repairs to your vehicle after an accident, regardless of fault. Comprehensive coverage handles non-collision incidents like theft, vandalism, fire, or weather damage. Unlike liability insurance, these coverages protect your own vehicle. While not legally required, you may need to purchase comprehensive and collision coverage if you finance or lease a vehicle.
Medical Payments Insurance
Medical payments coverage, often called MedPay, covers medical expenses for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of fault. This coverage supplements health insurance by covering deductibles, copays, and services your health plan might exclude. MedPay follows the policyholder, providing protection even when you are a passenger in someone else’s vehicle or struck as a pedestrian.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Despite legal requirements, many drivers operate vehicles without insurance or with insufficient coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage protects you when hit by a driver with no insurance, while underinsured motorist coverage kicks in when the at-fault driver’s policy limits do not cover your full damages. Although these policies are not required in Tennessee, they can provide crucial protection and prevent you from bearing the financial burden after a collision.
Discuss Your Options with The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto
Navigating insurance coverage can be overwhelming, especially when there are multiple policies available. The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto can help you navigate these confusing policies and receive the full benefits you are entitled to. Our attorneys will review your coverage options, communicate with insurance companies on your behalf, and fight for maximum compensation.
Take the first step toward financial recovery by contacting us at (865) 691-2777 for a free consultation today.