Will Your Car Insurance Settle Your Non-Crash Injury Claims?

Car accidents do not always involve crashing into another car; there are also cases of non-crash injuries that result in substantial injuries. Many people don't know whether their Personal Injury Protection (PIP), Medical Payments coverage, or underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage would settle their medicals bills if injured with non-crash injuries. Here are four questions that are likely to determine whether you receive compensation for such injuries:

What Were You Doing?

In most cases, you will be compensated if you were using or servicing the car, and your injuries aren't self-inflicted. For example, you may be compensated if you lacerate a hand while changing the tire. Changing a tire falls in the category of car maintenance. However, don't expect any settlement if you hurt your feet by kicking the car in frustration; this is a classic example of an injury caused by an intentional act.

Where Were You?

There are also situations where the insurer may rule on your compensation depending on where you were when the injury occurred. A classic example is an injury you sustained during a carjacking or robbery incident. In some states, you are likely to be compensated if you are hurt inside the car, but not if you are hurt outside the car (for example by the side of the road).

What Does Your State Law Say?

In some cases, your state may also have a say on whether or not your insurer should compensate you for your non-crash injuries. For example, some states have held that you are only entitled to compensation if you are hurt by your car during the carjacking, for example, if the criminals hit you with your car. Other states, such as Florida, maintain that you are entitled to be compensated for all acts of violence arising from carjacking incidences.

What Caused Your Injury?

There are numerous ways in which you can sustain non-car crash injuries; you may receive compensation for some of them. Consider an example where you injure yourself overstretching or overexerting your body while loading or unloading items from your car. You aren't likely to receive compensation for that type of injury. However, you are likely to be compensated if you were injured by an object that fell from your truck bed.

As you can see, many factors determine whether or not you can claim damages for a non-crash injury. Scrutinizing your auto insurance policy should help you know which injuries are covered. You can also consult your agent, such as Edwards Insurance Agency, for further information.