When two or more vehicles are involved in an accident, it can be difficult to determine who was at fault. but establishing fault is crucial to an insurance claim. after all, the party that caused the accident should ideally be the one paying for the expenses involved. however, this is not always the case, as fault can be difficult to prove and affects the amount of the claim and payments.
Each state has its own laws for handling insurance claims after an accident. In no-fault states, every driver’s personal injury protection (PIP) coverage pays after a collision for medical costs and lost wages, regardless of fault. Contrary to popular belief, a no-fault status does not mean that no one is or could be at fault in an accident. drivers in no-fault states still carry liability insurance and cover damages they cause to others if they are at fault in an accident.
Reading: Whose insurance pays in a no fault accident
fault states versus no-fault states
Fault for an accident is determined in both at-fault (tort) and no-fault states. the differences between tort and no-fault states are actually smaller than many believe.
In a tort state, the at-fault driver’s property damage liability insurance pays for the other party’s car repair costs, while bodily injury liability insurance covers their medical costs up to policy limits.
When an accident occurs in a no-fault state, blame is still assigned. the main difference is who pays the medical costs. In a no-fault state, all drivers must have PIP coverage (in addition to basic liability insurance), which pays for medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who caused the accident. On the downside, pip insurance significantly increases the cost of auto insurance, which is one reason insurance in no-fault states is typically more expensive than tort states.
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Currently, twelve US dollars. states require no-fault insurance, in addition to puerto rico:
- florida
- hawaii
- kansas
- kentucky
- massachusetts
- michigan
- minnesota
- new jersey
- new york
- north dakota
- pennsylvania
- utah
what is no-fault insurance?
in most US states. In the US, it is mandatory to have the minimum required auto insurance to be able to drive legally. this generally includes bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage. In a no-fault insurance policy, people must add PIP coverage, also called no-fault insurance. In an at-fault state, you would file a claim with the negligent party’s insurance company for your medical costs. but in a no-fault state, you file a claim with your own insurer for medical expenses, regardless of who is at fault. PIP coverage also covers wages lost as a result of injury from an accident, up to the limits of your PIP policy.
The deciding factor here is negligence. When fault is difficult to establish, insurers often resort to proving negligence on the part of the driver. if you are found to be at least 50 percent negligent, your rates and claims payment will be affected. Furthermore, filing a claim under a no-fault insurance policy does not mean that you will be awarded a settlement, and even if you do get a payment, your compensation may be limited. On a fault insurance policy, you can claim additional damages for pain and suffering, but you can’t with no-fault insurance.
the purpose of no-fault insurance
No-fault insurance serves two purposes: to save time and money (often involved in a lengthy claim process), and to reduce the likelihood of lawsuits. Lawsuits and lengthy claims processes can cause exorbitant costs and waste a lot of time, often delaying settlement. in no-fault states, the pip is paid immediately, regardless of fault.
Because the pip is paid regardless of who is at fault, the likelihood of one party filing a lawsuit against the other is reduced. There are certain circumstances in which no-fault insurance allows claims, but these situations are fairly limited. Receiving a pip payment prior to determining fault can also financially assist injured parties in seeking immediate medical care after an accident.
determination of negligence
In auto insurance law, negligence means fault. if you were the negligent driver, your insurance would pay based on the types of coverage available to you. In a no-fault state, this will exclude medical expenses that PIP has already covered. Depending on how much and what type of insurance coverage you have, you may exceed coverage limits and have to pay partially out of pocket. anecdotal evidence alone is not enough to establish negligence. insurance companies often rely on official police reports to determine who was at fault for the accident.
pure contributory negligence
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If you live in a state that adheres to pure contributory negligence, you get a settlement only if you are not 100% negligent in an accident. If the other party can establish that your negligence played even the smallest role in the accident, you may not recover damages from the accident.
pure comparative negligence
With pure comparative negligence, your insurance payment is based on the percentage of fault you are at fault. For example, if you are found to be 70% at fault in a collision and the other driver is 30% at fault, you would have to cover 70% of the damages and the other driver would have to cover the other 30%. %.
modified comparative negligence
States with modified comparative negligence have a threshold of fault, usually around 50%. you are eligible for a payment if your negligence was less than the threshold.
frequently asked questions
what should i do after a car accident?
After an accident, the first step after making sure everyone is safe is usually to call the police and file an official report. then you may want to call your insurance company and explain what happened. if you are having a conversation with the other driver, you probably want to keep liability in mind and refrain from making any pleas about fault. then you can decide whether or not to make a claim. if there is no damage, you may not need to do this.
how can I file a claim?
Most insurance companies have a 24/7 helpline for filing claims, while some even offer a mobile app alternative. You will be asked to provide specific details of the incident, such as the time and place, the damage sustained, and sometimes even photographic evidence. the insurance company will send an adjuster to assess the damage once you have filed a claim.
Can I file a lawsuit in a no-fault state?
yes, but only if your circumstances have exceeded the serious injury threshold or the monetary threshold. check the specific laws in your state to see what your options are.
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