Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is a type of no-fault insurance that pays certain expenses after a car accident, regardless of who caused the crash. Utah requires most drivers to carry PIP coverage as part of their auto insurance policy. It helps pay for medical care and certain other losses after an accident without waiting for a liability determination.
PIP is often the first source of insurance coverage available after a collision. However, it does not pay for every loss, and serious injuries may allow an accident victim to pursue additional compensation from the at-fault driver.
Is PIP Insurance Required in Utah?
Utah generally requires PIP coverage as part of motor vehicle insurance policies, subject to the state’s no-fault insurance requirements. The minimum required PIP coverage is $3,000 per person for reasonable and necessary medical expenses resulting from a motor vehicle accident.
Drivers may purchase additional PIP coverage beyond the required minimum. Higher limits may provide additional financial assistance if medical expenses exceed the basic coverage available under the policy.
What Are the Benefits of PIP Insurance?
PIP insurance can provide benefits after a car accident without requiring an injured person to first establish who caused the crash. Because Utah follows a no-fault insurance system, eligible expenses are generally paid through your own insurance policy first, allowing medical treatment to begin while liability issues are resolved.
Some of the primary benefits of PIP insurance include:
- Coverage regardless of who caused the accident
- Payment for eligible medical expenses
- Lost income benefits for qualifying injuries
- Coverage for certain essential household services
- Access to certain benefits without first proving fault
Although PIP can help reduce the financial burden after an accident, its benefits are limited. Accident victims with serious injuries may need to pursue additional compensation if their losses exceed available PIP coverage.
What Does PIP Cover?
PIP pays certain financial losses resulting from a motor vehicle accident. Depending on the insurance policy, covered benefits may include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Essential household services that an injured person cannot perform
- Funeral expenses
- Survivor benefits, when applicable
PIP does not pay for vehicle repairs or compensation for pain and suffering. Those losses are typically addressed through other insurance coverage or a liability claim when Utah law permits one.
Who Can Receive PIP Benefits?
PIP benefits may be available to more than just the policyholder.
Depending on the insurance policy and the circumstances of the accident, benefits may apply to:
- The named insured
- Family members covered under the policy
- Passengers riding in the insured vehicle
- Certain pedestrians and bicyclists injured by the insured vehicle
More than one insurance policy may be involved in some accidents, making it necessary to determine which insurer is responsible for paying PIP benefits first.
How Do You File a PIP Claim in Utah?
Filing a PIP claim usually begins by notifying your own automobile insurance company after a car accident. The insurer will explain what information and documentation are needed to process the claim and evaluate eligible benefits.
To help support a PIP claim, you should:
- Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible
- Seek prompt medical treatment and follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations
- Keep copies of medical bills, treatment records, and other accident-related expenses
- Provide any forms or documentation requested by your insurer
- Save records of lost wages or other covered losses related to your injuries
Keeping organized records throughout your recovery can help document your expenses and support your claim.
When Can You File a Claim Against the At-Fault Driver?
Utah’s no-fault insurance system does not prevent every injured person from filing a personal injury claim. State law allows accident victims to pursue a liability claim when certain thresholds are met.
Generally, a claim against the at-fault driver may be filed if:
- Medical expenses exceed $3,000, or
- The accident caused permanent disability, permanent impairment, permanent disfigurement, or dismemberment.
Once one of these thresholds is satisfied, an injured person may seek compensation that extends beyond available PIP benefits, including pain and suffering and other losses recognized under Utah law.
What Happens if Your Injuries Exceed Your PIP Benefits?
Serious injuries often result in medical bills that exceed Utah’s minimum PIP coverage. Once available benefits have been exhausted, additional compensation may be available through other sources.
These may include:
- A bodily injury liability claim against the at-fault driver
- Other applicable auto insurance coverage
- Health insurance benefits
If the accident meets Utah’s no-fault threshold, an injured person may also pursue compensation for losses that PIP does not cover, such as future medical expenses, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
Contact McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers to Schedule a Free Consultation With a Salt Lake City Personal Injury Attorney
PIP benefits provide an important source of financial assistance after a Utah car accident, but they may not cover every expense or every type of loss. If your injuries are serious or your medical expenses exceed available PIP coverage, you may have grounds to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver.
If you have questions about PIP benefits or your legal options after a car accident, contact McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers today at (385) 462-7630 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Salt Lake City personal injury lawyer.
