How Insurance Policy Limits Impact Personal Injury Settlements

How Insurance Policy Limits Impact Personal Injury Settlements

Insurance policies play a crucial role in personal injury settlements. They provide the financial backing that allows negligent parties to compensate those they have injured. However, an often overlooked aspect of these policies is their limits, which can significantly impact the amount of compensation one may receive from a settlement.

An insurance policy limit is the maximum amount an insurance company will pay towards a claim. For instance, if someone has an auto insurance policy with a $100,000 limit and they cause an accident resulting in $150,000 worth of damage, their insurer would only cover up to $100,000. The remaining balance would be the responsibility of the at-fault party.

When it comes to personal injury claims following accidents such as car crashes or slip and falls, these policy limits become particularly important. If you’ve been injured due to another party’s negligence and are seeking damages for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering among other costs; the at-fault party’s insurance coverage will largely determine how much you can potentially recover.

In some cases where injuries are severe and expenses high, policy limits may not be enough to fully cover all losses. This leaves victims in a difficult position where they must either accept less than what their claim is worth or pursue further action against the at-fault party personally which can be time-consuming and costly.

Additionally, multiple claims against one policy could also affect your settlement. Suppose there are several injured parties making claims against a single policy with limited coverage; each person might receive less than what their individual claim is worth because of divided payout amongst all claimants.

However, it’s essential to note that having uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on your own auto insurance policy can help bridge this gap when you’re involved in an accident with someone whose liability coverage isn’t sufficient to cover your damages.

It’s also crucial for individuals pursuing personal injury claims to understand sub-limits within insurance policies too. These are specific limits set for certain types of damages such as property damage or bodily injury. If your claim exceeds these sub-limits, you may not receive full compensation.

In conclusion, insurance policy limits can significantly impact personal injury settlements. They determine how much an insurer will pay towards a claim and often, they are insufficient to cover the total cost of injuries and other damages resulting from accidents. Therefore, it’s important to consider all available options including pursuing additional action against the at-fault party or utilizing your own insurance coverage when settlement amounts don’t fully compensate for your losses.

Regan Zambri Long Personal Injury Lawyers
1919 M St NW #600, Washington, DC 20036
12029604667