In A Motor Vehicle Accident Often Times There Are Many Questions That Arise, Especially If You’ve Never Been Through It Before.
Patients often delay important care due to questions like:
- Where Can I Go For Treatment?
- How Will I Pay For Treatment?
- What Is Covered And What Are My Rights After I’ve Been Injured By Someone Else’s Negligence?
- What Is Personal Injury Protection?
Luckily in this great state of Washington we have something called Personal Injury Protection, or simply, PIP.
Personal injury protection is mandated by law in Washington State but can be waived with a signed waiver declaring that you do not want it.
PIP is an amazing thing to have because it covers you whether you are at fault or not. It follows you when you are a passenger in someone else’s vehicle.
It covers you when you are a pedestrian or on a bicycle.
This is often referred to as the ‘PIP Halo’ and follows you no matter what vehicle you are riding in.
PIP also ‘stacks’ if you are in another vehicle whose driver has PIP.
If the driver of a vehicle you are injured in has $10,000 PIP and you have $10,000 PIP on your own policy you are covered up to the cumulative benefit, which would be $20,000 in this example.
PIP is intended to cover medical care that is ‘reasonable and necessary.’
It can be used to cover chiropractic care, massage therapy, physical therapy, medical care, hospital bills, and many other unforeseen expenses.
If someone becomes disabled after an accident it can cover wage loss up to a certain amount per week.
Personal injury protection comes in quantities of $10,000, $35,000, and $50,000.
Did you know that the higher quantities of PIP pay a higher weekly rate of wage loss? It does!
Did you know that PIP will cover someone else do your yard work, laundry, or clean your house in the event you become disabled and have a doctor’s note? It does!
I always recommend that my patients re-evaluate their insurance coverage and needs every few years.
Our needs change as we enter different stages of life.
Wouldn’t you want to have the peace of mind knowing that your son or daughter and their friends are well protected in the event that something unfortunate may occur?
