LAWSUIT

A claim or dispute brought to a court of law for adjudication. For example, if you file a claim against the offending driver’s insurance company and you believe the insurance company is not being fair or reasonable with regard to a settlement offer, you can file a lawsuit against the driver and the insurance company.

BODILY INJURY DAMAGES

This term refers to the categories you can be compensated for under a Bodily Injury Claim. The three types of damages you are entitled to are economic, noneconomic, and punitive damages. Click here to learn more about Damages.

CLAIMANT

A person making a claim, especially in a lawsuit or for a government-sponsored benefit. In this case, the person seeking compensation for their injury or hardship.

DEFENDANT

An individual, company, or institution sued or accused in a court of law by a claimant.

DEPRECIATION

A reduction in the value of an asset with the passage of time, due to wear and tear. For example, if you have a newer vehicle that was involved in an accident, even with the vehicle being repaired, it has still lost value due to it being in an accident and in certain circumstances you can receive compensation for it.

HIPAA

An abbreviation for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a US law designed to provide privacy standards to protect patients' medical records and other health information. The law firm that represents you and/or the insurance company will ask you to sign one so they can review your medical records to determine Bodily Injury Damages.

LOP

An abbreviation for Letter of Protection. A Letter of Protection guarantees payment for medical treatment from a future lawsuit settlement or verdict award. For example, if you are represented by a law firm, the firm will give an LOP to the medical facility you are receiving treatment from. The firm guarantees the doctor(s) that their bills will be paid back through the settlement from your case. This also means you do not have to pay the medical facility up front.

MITIGATE DAMAGES

A phrase that means “to take reasonable action, where possible, to avoid additional injury and/or property damages.” This is typically seen when dealing with storage fees. The insurance company requires the claimant to remove their vehicle from the storage lot (if a reasonable amount of time has passed) before they accept responsibility. If a claimant does not do so, it is possible the insurance company will subtract storage fees from the property damage offer they will give you.

TRIAL

Formal examination of evidence before a judge, and typically before a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings. This is always a last resort in a personal injury case. Attempts to settle the case will occur before trial ever happens.

WITNESS AFFIDAVIT

An oath that what an individual is saying is the truth. An affidavit is used along with witness statements to prove the truthfulness of a certain statement in court. Witness Affidavits can help with the insurance company in determining liability.

CONTRACT

A formal and legally binding agreement. For example, if you hire a law firm to represent you in your personal injury case, you would sign a contract with that firm.

INSURANCE POLICY

A means of financial protection where you agree to pay an insurance company a predetermined amount for them to assume the responsibility of paying out claims either by you or brought against you, limited to the amount of coverage on the policy. For example, if you are involved in an accident where you have $40,000 in property damage, but only have $25,000 in available property damage coverage, the auto insurance policy only has to pay the maximum amount on the policy.

COVERAGE

A term used to describe if the insurance carrier has a valid policy for a claimant to go after. This is not to be mistaken with Liability.

LIABILITY

This term is used to describe if the insurance carrier accepts and agrees that the driver holding a policy with them is responsible for the accident.

DEDUCTIBLE

The amount of money you must pay toward repairs before your insurance covers the rest.

EXCESS LIABILITY POLICY

This is a type of policy that provides limits that exceed the underlying liability policy. For example, if you pursue a settlement and you are awarded damages that max out the primary policy, you may be able to go after an Excess Liability policy that can provide even more compensation depending on the severity of your suffering.

UMBRELLA POLICY

Excess liability insurance. For example, a policy holder is sued for damages that exceed the liability limits of car insurance, an umbrella policy could potentially cover the excess damages.

EXCLUDED DRIVER

Someone you intentionally remove from your auto insurance policy. For example, if that person uses your car, either with or without your permission, and has an accident, your car insurance won't provide coverage for them.

GAP COVERAGE

Covers the remaining balance in the event of a total loss on your vehicle where you owe money to the loan holder of the vehicle.

LAPSED POLICY

Policy for which all benefits to the policy holder cease and are terminated due to non-payment of premium amount on the due date or even after the grace period. For example, if you cause an accident under a lapsed policy, your insurance company is not required to pay any damages or claims brought against you. Always stay on top of your insurance payments!

SUBROGATION

This is the substitution of one person or group by another in respect of a debt or insurance claim, accompanied by the transfer of any associated rights and duties. For example, if you are in an accident, your insurance may pay your property damage claim and then send the bill to the other driver’s insurance company for reimbursement.

TOTAL LOSS

This is the term for when an insurance company determines a vehicle is beyond repair. In insurance claims, insurance companies have the option of Totaling your vehicle or repairing it. If your vehicle is Totaled, the insurance company needs to compensate you for the amount your vehicle is worth, not what your loan amount is.

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (TBI)

A specific injury resulting from a violent blow or jolt to the head or body. An object that penetrates brain tissue, such as a bullet or shattered piece of skull, also can cause traumatic brain injury. TBIs are a type of injury that happens in car accidents.

LOSS OF USE

Losing the use of your personal property during a reasonable period. For example, if you are not able to drive your vehicle due to the accident, the at-fault party’s insurance is responsible for paying you for the cost to rent a vehicle.

LOSS OF VALUE

Difference between a car's pre-accident value and its value after repairs. Another word to describe this is depreciation.

LOST JOYS

Lost Joys is an entitled damage through a bodily injury claim. It refers to the quality of life and someone’s general well-being and ability to enjoy normal life activities, like taking care of someone else or participating in recreational activities. Intangibles like loss of joy of living, damage to reputation, and feelings of disgrace also diminish quality of life in the wake of an injury.