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Frequently Asked Questions About Auto Accidents
What is No-Fault
insurance?
New Jersey is a "No-Fault" state. This means that
no matter who is at fault for an auto accident, your PIP coverage
under your auto insurance policy will pay for your medical
bills.
What is PIP?
P.I.P. stands for Personal Injury Protection. Basic
coverage in New Jersey provides for the payment of all of
your accident related medical bills with a deductible amount
and co-pay amount. Unless you made a specific choice when
you selected coverage, you have a $250.00 deductible, with
a 20% co-pay up to $5,000.00. This means that if your medical
bills exceed $5,000.00, the most you should ever pay for your
medical bills is $1,200.00. (If you choose us to represent
you, we are almost always successful in having the medical
care providers wait until the end of your case to be reimbursed.)
PIP will pay up to $250,000.00 in medical bills.
If I get in an accident
and make a claim for PIP benefits, will it affect my insurance
rates?
Generally not. Since New Jersey is a "No-Fault"
state, your rates should not go up if you make a claim. However,
some insurance companies will surcharge you for making a No-Fault
claim.
What happens if I
am disabled from working because of an accident?
Our office will help you in processing your application for
state disability benefits. If you are injured in an auto accident,
PIP will pay a minimum of $100.00 per week up to one year.
Our office will also assist you in seeking these PIP benefits.
What if someone injures
me in a car accident and that person has minimum liability
coverage?
Your insurance policy has "underinsured motorists"
coverage. You may be eligible to recover from your own insurance
policy. This will not affect your coverage rates.
What if someone hits
me, but they do not have any insurance?
Your insurance policy has "uninsured motorists"
coverage. You can make a claim under this portion of your
policy, and it will not affect your coverage rates.
What is the Verbal
Threshold?
The Verbal Threshold is a law that limits a person's
rights to sue for pain and suffering. If you have not specifically
selected "No Threshold" coverage, then you are automatically
subject to the Verbal Threshold. Therefore, unless you have
an injury that fits into one of the defined categories, you
will not be able to sue for injuries. Certain serious injuries
will make the Verbal Threshold inapplicable. If you were involved
in an accident with a "commercial vehicle" then you will not
be subject to the Verbal Threshold.
What if I have "soft
tissue" injuries, such as neck and back pain?
Your injuries may overcome the Threshold. Please
contact our office to discuss your injuries.
If you need further information, please call us at (856)
428-5055.
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