Does my Car Insurance Cover me if Injured as a Pedestrian?
Yes, in most instances, your auto insurance will cover pedestrian personal injuries when a vehicle hits you. You will want to check your insurance policy to determine what coverage you carry and your policy limits.
Auto Insurance that Covers Pedestrians
Each state sets its requirements for auto insurance. New Jersey, for example, is a “no-fault state.” “No-fault” means that after you’re hurt in an accident, your insurer covers your damages, even pedestrian injuries. The type of coverage that addresses vehicular injuries is Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Many drivers only carry the minimum amount of PIP, which is $15,000 per person, per accident. If your damages exceed your policy limits, you’ll need to find other avenues of covering your expenses.
Pennsylvania’s laws are slightly different. Pennsylvania is a “choice no-fault” state, which means that when you purchase your auto insurance policy, you have the option of having no-fault coverage akin to New Jersey’s, or you can choose “fault-based,” in which you retain your right to recover damages from any at-fault parties rather than your insurer. The minimum PIP coverage in Pennsylvania is also $15,000 per person.
After a car accident in Bethlehem or other areas throughout Pennsylvania, your auto policy would kick in as well if you carry uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. UM/UIM is an optional coverage in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. You’ll want to check with your insurance agent or attorney to determine if you carry it.
Looking into Legal Options after a Pedestrian Accident
Given the nature of pedestrian traffic accidents, the injuries tend to be substantial if not fatal. Multiple fractures, brain injuries, internal injuries, and spinal cord injuries are quite common amongst pedestrians hit by vehicles. It’s quite likely a $15,000 PIP policy will not cover all of your medical needs, not to mention your loss of income and pain and suffering. Your best bet after a serious pedestrian accident will be to speak to an injury lawyer to determine your legal options and file a bodily injury claim for a car accident.
Free Consultation with a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you are a Union member, you’re encouraged to call Our Legal Plan to speak to a pedestrian accident attorney in Pennsylvania or New Jersey. Call us today at 888-477-7789 to schedule a consultation.
