What does bodily injury insurance cover?

On Behalf of | Aug 25, 2021 | personal injury |

If some other driver causes an accident that leaves you with injuries, the last thing you want to think about is money. Your immediate concerns will be about your passengers and your injuries. You will want relief for your pain, to understand what kind of medical treatment you will need and to know if your injuries will be permanent. Eventually, you will likely have many questions about what to expect in the future. How long will you be off work for your recovery? How will you pay your medical bills?  

Fortunately, most states require drivers to carry a certain amount of insurance in case they are liable for an accident in which someone is hurt. If your injuries resulted from another driver’s negligence or reckless actions, you have a right to file a claim to recover what you deserve from the other driver’s insurance plan. 

How much can I expect from an insurer? 

Bodily injury insurance is part of the minimum insurance requirements for North Carolina drivers along with property damage liability. If the other driver complied with state law, he or she should be carrying insurance to cover injuries up to $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident. You can file a claim for those benefits. A successful claim to the insurance company will likely cover the following items: 

  • Emergency services that respond to the accident 
  • Emergency room treatment 
  • Hospital fees if you are admitted  
  • Additional medical expenses, including follow-up exams, prescriptions and medical equipment 
  • Lost income if you are unable to work because of your injuries 
  • The cost of a funeral if a loved one dies in the accident 
  • Potentially the value of your lingering pain, suffering and emotional anguish 

Medical care is expensive. If your injuries require surgeries, hospitalization, long-term care or other costly treatment, bodily injury insurance may not be sufficient to cover the amount you will need for quality care, even if the other driver carries the maximum coverage required.  

If you were alone in the vehicle at the time of the accident, the other driver’s insurance will cover up to $30,000 worth of your medical care and expenses. However, if you had passengers in the vehicle, it is possible the total medical expenses for all involved will exceed $60,000. If this is your situation, you may have to resort to taking your case to the civil courts to obtain compensation that bodily injury liability insurance does not cover.