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In A Wreck? Auto Insurance Explained

by Theresa Hoffman

If you ended up hurt by a careless driver, the issue of insurance is bound to come up. Once your car is wrecked and you need help paying your medical bills, you might need to understand more about both your coverage and the other driver's coverage. Read to learn more about automobile liability insurance.

What Does Liability Coverage Do?

When it comes to liability coverage, you may be a lot more interested in the other guy's policy than your own. If the other driver is at fault, their policy is supposed to pay for your expenses. There are two main types of liability insurance – bodily injury and property damage.

1. Body Injury

Just as it sounds, this type of insurance will pay for expenses that include medical treatment, but it goes beyond that. If the other driver caused the accident, their policy might cover your expenses for the following needs:

  • Medical expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost wages

2. Property Damage

Your wrecked car is the target of the other guy's property damage liability insurance. It is meant to pay for not just a repair to your car but for any other damage caused by the wreck. For example, if you were hit from behind and your vehicle was pushed into a fenced yard, the property damage covered might extend to the damaged fence, the landscaping and so on.

What About Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

In some cases, the driver that hit you and caused the accident either has no insurance or it's insufficient to cover your losses. That is where uninsured motorist coverage comes in. No matter how safely you drive, this aspect of insurance explains why even safe drivers need some type of insurance. When another driver hits you and has insurance, this form of insurance can help bridge the gap if their policy has limits.

What if You Have Problems with the Insurance Carrier?

You might expect that insurance will do the job it's supposed to do, but sometimes things don't work out that way. You may have to fight for full coverage of your bills or the carrier may claim that your medical condition was preexisting. Insurance companies can make it difficult to get what you are entitled to get, but you have a legal option to exercise. Speak to a car accident attorney about your case and find out what money damages you can get and how to get them.

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