Expert: Richard Hixenbaugh - 6/16/2009

Question
QUESTION: Auto Accident in MD.  I was passenger in a DC taxi.  Taxi not at fault.  I sustained PI and PD.  Who pays when At fault party has minimal insurance.  and Limits exhausted. DC taxi also has minimum limit auto insurance. My MRIs show rotator cuff tear with impingement, cervical and lumbar Disk issues and soft tissue injury.  My BC & BS insurance has a subrogation claim.  Been depressed with anxiety.  Recent chest pains.  EKG abnormal.  Had Echo 3-days ago.  Now what else can go wrong?  May have heart issues to boot.  Who pays for this.  I do not have MED PAY or PIP with my insurance.  Am I headed for the poor house?  What should I do.  Heart trumps shoulder injury.  I have lost so much time from work not to mention transpo costs to appointments.  Need your Advice.

ANSWER: Hi Vanessa,

You should check your policy to see if you have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage for Bodily Injury on your own auto insurance policy if you own a car. This would provide additional coverage on top of the at-fault party or the Taxi coverage. If you do not have auto insurance then the only coverage you would have available would be your Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: OK to publish my original question.  I did not mean for it to be private.  This may help someone else.

Followon Question:  I do have VA insurance Uninsured 50/100/50.  I have everything except PIP.  I have since added the PIP but will it cover any of this even if the accident was in Feb 09 and I added the PIP in April 09.  My policy renews in July 09.  I am having rotator cuff repair/arthroscopy tomorrow.  Everybody listen up, if you don't get anything else get UIM/UM and PIP.  I was just a innocent passenger in a TAXI and my Policy may be what keeps me out of the poorhouse.  Lesson learned for me.

Answer
Hi Vanessa,

The good news is that you have uninsured motorist coverage. Unfortunately, the PIP coverage added after the accident will not cover any expenses that arise as a result of an accident that occured before the effective date of the added coverage. It will only cover expenses from an accident that first occures after the effective date of the coverage.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh