If people are injured in an accident, then there will be additional layers of complexity. In this case, Young America Insurance will be involved quickly. The question most people will ask is if and when to get an attorney involved.
You are not hurt but another person is injured, and you are at-fault
Your bodily injury coverage will pay for their injuries in a tort state. This is true if they were a passenger in your car, in another vehicle, or a pedestrian. In a no-fault state, PIP will pay for injuries in your car, and residual BI will pay for medical costs for the passenger in another vehicle if they exceed the statutory thresholds. In either case, Young America insurance will defend you and provide legal counsel. Again, notify the company quickly about the incident so they can build their defense of you from the beginning. In this case, since you are at-fault, your renewal premium will go up 20 – 30%.
You are not hurt but another person is injured, and you are not at fault
In this case, you should not have any liability. That said; still notify Young America auto insurance quickly so that you can get your version of the facts on the record. This way, if the other party’s story changes as the investigation unfolds, you can maintain your innocence. If you do eventually get dragged into the fray, let Young America insurance handle the negotiations.
You are injured, and you are at fault
In this case, your medical payments coverage and health insurance will pay your medical bills in a tort state. In a no-fault state, PIP will pay for your injuries up to the threshold. If your injuries exceed the threshold, then you can use your health insurance and sue the other party if there is comparative negligence. Young America insurance will be involved in making this determination.
You are injured, and you are not at fault
In a tort state, the other party’s BI coverage will pay for your injuries, etc. If they do not have coverage or not enough coverage, then your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage will apply. In a no-fault state, your PIP coverage will pay for your injuries up to the threshold. If your expenses exceed the threshold, then you can sue the other party for additional damages. In this case, you may need to obtain the services of an attorney.
When should you involve an attorney?
This decision can be complex because there are a number of factors that need to be considered, such as the seriousness of your injuries, your ability and willingness to negotiate your claim, and the cooperativeness of the company and the adjuster. All of these things are subjective. In general, keep this in mind: Young America Insurance wants to make a quick and fair settlement. Your medical costs lost wages, rehabilitation cost, attendant care, and any other applicable expenses are easily documented and paid.
It is the soft costs such as pain and suffering that are difficult to place a value on. In situations where you believe that there are a) considerable soft costs, pain/suffering, or lack of cooperation from the insurance company; b) where there are significant injuries and the other party’s coverage limits do not cover your injuries; or c) there are multiple parties clamoring for the limited available dollars, then an attorney’s assistance could be helpful.
Remember that an attorney will take a part of your settlement
Typically, the attorney’s fee will be 30- 40% of your money. You should not have to pay money up-front for an attorney; they will get paid when the claim is settled. If you have a claim that is valued at $100,000, and you involve an attorney, you will only get $60–70,000. You have to make the determination on whether the attorney’s services are worth the fee.
If they are able to leverage the situation enough to get you more money than you would be able to get by yourself, then it may be worth it. In general, the more complex the situation, the greater the need for an attorney.
