so residents don’t have to obtain personal injury protection insurance. However, licensed drivers must carry bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage.
You’ll have to purchase enough coverage to meet state requirements, but how much bodily injury coverage do you need? How do your coverage limits affect accident claims? Sargon Law Group explains.
What Is Bodily Injury Coverage?
Bodily injury insurance coverage pays for specific expenses, but not for everyone involved in an accident. If you are responsible for causing a crash, this coverage won’t pay for your medical expenses or for others in your household if they’re also involved in the wreck. Those covered do include:
- Drivers and occupants of other vehicles
- Pedestrians
- Your passengers (unless they’re from your household)
Besides medical expenses, bodily injury liability coverage may pay lost wages, pain and suffering, and funeral expenses for eligible accident victims. Your insurance policy documents will state the things it covers and all exclusions.
This type of insurance policy protects your assets if you cause a crash that injures other people. If you’re at fault, you’ll be liable to pay damages regardless of whether you have insurance. Your insurance policy should pay that compensation up to your policy’s limits so you won’t have to pay it out of pocket.
How Much Bodily Injury Coverage Does Arizona Require?
Arizona laws mandate that you must carry at least these coverage limits:
- $25,000 bodily injury per person
- $50,000 bodily injury per accident
The per-person limit is the maximum amount your insurance policy will pay for one person’s eligible expenses if you’re at fault in an accident. Your policy will pay up to the per-accident limit for a single accident.
You must also maintain at least $15,000 of property damage liability coverage. This type of coverage goes toward repairing or replacing other people’s vehicles or property that you damage if you cause an accident.
Although it’s not required by law, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is often recommended, even by Arizona’s Department of Insurance. Minimum coverage in Arizona follows the same 25/50 limits. This policy can help if someone else injures you in a collision but either doesn’t have any insurance or has insufficient limits to cover your damages.
How Much Bodily Insurance Coverage Should You Have?
You should always carry enough insurance coverage to meet your state’s minimum requirements. However, those minimums likely won’t be enough to pay all the expenses if you’re responsible for causing an accident.
Arizona’s minimum limits are very low. If a person sustains serious injuries in an accident you cause, their expenses will probably greatly exceed $25,000 per person. If you only have $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person, you’ll run the risk that you owe the rest of their expenses personally.
For the average person, many experts recommend carrying at least $100,000 coverage per person and $300,000 per accident. A general rule of thumb is to maintain as much coverage as your net worth. However, not all insurance companies offer auto insurance policy limits to cover those with a high net worth. Those people may need to consider purchasing an umbrella policy to protect their assets.
How Does the Coverage Limit Impact an Accident Claim?
After a car accident involving injuries, an investigation determines who is at fault for causing the collision. Some crashes have more than one responsible party. If you’re 100% at fault, you are liable for all damages. If your bodily injury policy limits are too low, the victims can sue you to recover the damages not paid by your insurance company.
Now suppose that another driver causes an accident that seriously injures you. You will likely have substantial medical expenses and miss an extended period of work. You may need to hire a caregiver. Your costs can mount quickly even as your income is on pause.
You’ll want and deserve compensation from the guilty party. Although you can file a lawsuit against that person if their bodily injury coverage limits are low, recovering compensation from their personal assets can be challenging. Even if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, your own insurance company may be reluctant to pay.
How Can an Attorney Help With an Auto Accident Claim?
If you caused an accident or sustained injuries in an accident someone else caused, Sargon Law Group can help. One of the most critical factors in car accident claims is the percentage of fault assigned to you. When you hire a competent Phoenix, Arizona car accident attorney from Sargon Law Group, they can:
- Provide legal advice and information
- Investigate your accident
- Gather evidence
- Ensure that fault is assigned correctly
- Assist with insurance claims
Although you don’t have to hire a lawyer to represent you, your claim’s outcome will likely be more favorable if you do. Your attorney will work in your best interests.
Car accident claims take time to investigate and prepare. While you don’t have to contact a lawyer immediately after your accident, you need to keep in mind the statute of limitations.
What Is Arizona’s Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents?
In Arizona, you’ll typically have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim. This time period is dramatically shorter if a governmental agency or employee caused your collision.
If you don’t meet the statute of limitations deadlines, you’ll probably lose the opportunity to recover compensation for your damages. You’ll also have to adhere to strict guidelines and procedures if your claim includes governmental involvement.
Sargon Law Group knows how to take care of all aspects of your auto collision claim, following all regulations.
Is Bodily Injury Coverage Causing Problems With Your Accident Claim?
Sargon Law Group understands the many factors involved in car accident claims. Laws, insurance company tactics, governmental involvement, and other complications can make them difficult for you to handle alone. Fortunately, you don’t have to.
If bodily injury coverage limits are complicating your claim, contact the Phoenix personal injury lawyers at Sargon Law Group for help. You can request your free consultation online or by calling (623) 225-5635; we are available to speak to you 24/7.