How Does Insurance Coverage Work If You’re at Fault for An Accident?

If you were 100% at fault in causing a car accident, you may still have coverage to both  protect you and to pay for your own injuries and damages. This may be on the vehicle  you were driving or your own insurance policy, if different, among other possible  coverages. The insurance coverages that typically apply are your bodily injury coverage,  your personal injury protection coverage, medical payment coverage, collision coverage,  rental car coverage, disability insurance, health insurance, and worker’s compensation. In this blog post, we will discuss insurance coverage  

Bodily Injury Coverage 

Your bodily injury coverage, and excess or umbrella coverage if available can cover the  pain and suffering, medical expenses above the personal injury protection policy limit, and generally, any other out-of-pocket expenses of the accident victim. It would not  provide coverage to you for your own injuries.  

Personal Injury Protection Benefits 

Your personal injury protection benefits cover your own medical expenses up to 80% and  60% of your lost wages, up to the policy limit, typically $10,000.00. This covers you  regardless of fault and applies similarly to the way it applies to the victim. It may also  cover other family members in your household, other passengers in your vehicle who may  not otherwise qualify for personal injury protection and may also cover the victim if the  victim was a pedestrian, for example, who did not own a vehicle or live with any family  members who owned a vehicle at the time of the crash.  

Medical Payment Coverage

Medical payments coverage would apply if purchased on  your policy to cover the medical expenses that personal injury protection coverage does  not pay. This coverage should apply regardless of fault.  

Collision Coverage  

Collision coverage should apply to pay for your property damage if you were at fault. It is  often an optional coverage and could save you a great deal of money fixing your car if  you are ever in an accident and are at fault. Most collision coverages have a deductible. 

Rental Car Coverage  

Rental car coverage applies to the at-fault vehicle’s owner, much in the same way as it  does to the victim’s vehicle owner. It pays for rental car expenses per day up to a  maximum limit while the owner’s vehicle is being repaired and during the normal  inspection period. In the case if a total loss, it may also cover rental car expenses from  the date of the accident through the time the vehicle is declared a total loss. It is generally  not available to the at-fault vehicle driver if he or she was not the owner since the general  purpose is to compensate the vehicle owner for not being able to use the vehicle during  the inspection and repair period. 

Speak with a Miami Car Accident Lawyers Today!  

At Suarez & Montero, our team of car accident attorneys in Miami will work with you every  step of the way, offering the expert legal guidance you need to win your lawsuit. We will  take care of all legal matters that relate to your claim and develop the best legal strategy  for your individual case to ensure the successful recovery of your damages. This includes  determining the economic and non-economic compensation you’re entitled to, identifying  who should be held liable for your injuries and damages. We will not rest until we have  developed and presented the most persuasive argument possible, and ensure you  receive fair and just compensation for your damages. If you have been injured in a motor  vehicle accident, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against any  responsible parties. Depending on the situation, the driver, owner, or manufacturer could  be liable. Our legal team of Miami car accident lawyers have decades of experience  handling car accident cases. With an extensive understanding of the laws involved, we  can make sure you’re fully compensated for any medical bills, pain and suffering and  other damages you may have experienced. Unlike other firms that handle cases in other areas of law in addition to their personal injury section, our firm is 100% dedicated to  helping victims in personal injury cases and has been doing so for over 20 years. If you  or someone you love has been involved in an accident, contact us today for a free  consultation.  

We serve clients throughout Florida including those in the following areas:  

Miami- Dade: Aventura, Coral Gables, Doral, Fontainebleau, Hialeah, Homestead,  Kendall, Miami, Miami Beach, Miami Lakes, North Miami, Tamiami, and Westchester. 

Broward: Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and Weston;  and Palm Beach County including Boca Raton, Lake Worth, and West Palm Beach.