After a car crash, people are often surprised to learn that the claim for damage to their vehicle and the claim for their physical injuries may need to be handled very differently.
With many personal auto insurance policies, property damage liability coverage is separate from bodily injury liability coverage. Because of that, we generally want to resolve the property damage claim as quickly as reasonably possible—getting the vehicle repaired, establishing a total-loss value when necessary, and helping the client move forward with transportation.
The bodily injury claim is different. Injuries can take time to fully develop. Treatment may continue for months, future medical care may be necessary, and the long-term effects of an injury may not be immediately known. Settling an injury claim too early can mean settling before the full extent of the damages is understood.
That is why, in many cases, the approach is:
Move efficiently on the property damage. Be patient and thorough with the injury claim.
But commercial insurance policies can present a different issue. Some commercial policies use a combined single limit, meaning property damage and bodily injury claims may draw from the same overall policy limit. When multiple vehicles, serious injuries, or substantial property damage are involved, every dollar paid toward one claim may affect the amount of insurance available for the others.
The lesson? Know the insurance policy before deciding how and when to settle any part of a claim.
Every case and every insurance policy is different. Understanding the available coverage is an important part of developing the right strategy after a serious collision.
Law Office of Adam Sorrells
California Personal Injury Attorney
530-893-9900
www.chicopersonalinjury.com