FAQ on Motor Vehicle Accidents

UM/UIM refers to uninsured motorist coverage. IUM refers to underinsured coverage. These are coverages you can take out to allow for insurance protection in situations where the driver who hit you did not have insurance or did not have enough insurance. PIP stands for personal injury protection. It is an extension of insurance coverage you can purchase to cover medical expenses and other costs of an accident. This type of coverage is peculiarly important in Maryland. This is because Maryland is one of only four states where someone whose negligence contributed to causing an accident is not allowed to recover in a personal injury action. If you have PIP coverage, however, you can bring an insurance claim regardless of who caused the accident.

Medical bills and lost wages are of course key components of recovery. It is also important, however, to look to the future. That means factoring in expenses you may have in the future for ongoing medical treatment or in-home care, as well as the loss of future earnings. A lot depends, too, on the circumstances of the accident. If a close relative was killed, for example, a wrongful death lawsuit may be in order.