Using PIP After an Arlington Car Crash
Short answer: Personal injury protection (PIP) is coverage on your own Texas auto policy. It pays your medical bills and 80% of lost income, whether or not you caused the crash. It's on your policy unless someone on the policy rejected it in writing.
An example
Say someone runs a light on Division Street and hits you. You miss a week of work and need several visits for neck pain. You don't have to wait months for the other driver's insurer: you file with your own insurer under PIP for your medical bills and 80% of the income you lost, up to your PIP limit. Fault doesn't matter for PIP (Texas Office of Public Insurance Counsel).
Do I have it?
Probably, unless you signed it away. Texas insurers must include PIP unless a named insured rejects it in writing, and a rejected PIP isn't added back at renewal unless you ask for it in writing (Ins. Code §1952.152). To check:
- Find your policy's declarations page and look for "Personal Injury Protection."
- If it isn't there, ask your agent for a copy of any signed rejection form. The TDI Auto Bill of Rights says rejection must be in writing.
MedPay is narrower
Medical payments coverage pays medical bills only, with no lost-wage benefit, and it's less common than PIP in Texas. Like PIP, it pays regardless of fault.
No PIP and no MedPay?
You still have options. Health insurance may pay, and some providers treat crash patients under a letter of protection, waiting to be paid from a settlement. See getting treatment or all insurance guides.
Hurt in an Arlington crash?
Send a short request and a participating injury law firm will contact you for a free review. Crashes anywhere in Texas are welcome.