If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you may be entitled to recover monetary damages for your bodily injuries and pain and suffering if any of the following criteria are met:  you incur medical bills of $2,000.00 or more; you sustain a fracture; you suffer loss of hearing or permanent disfigurement; or the injury results in death.

In addition, you may be entitled to Personal Injury Protection benefits regardless of who was at fault.  These benefits are commonly known as "PIP" or "No-Fault" benefits.  These benefits may provide up to $8,000.00 for your medical expenses and lost wages.  Your PIP benefits may have to be coordinated with your health insurance benefits and any wage continuation or disability pay you may have available.  There may also be medical payment coverage available to pay for medical expenses.

In addition to receiving compensation from the person who was at fault, you may be entitled to Underinsured Motorist benefits from your own insurance company.  Underinsured Motorist benefits apply when the person legally responsible for the accident does not have enough insurance to compensate your for your injuries.  In the event you are injured in a hit-and-run accident or by an automobile that does not have insurance, you may be entitled to Uninsured Motorist benefits from your own insurance company.  Underinsured and Uninsured insurance coverage is one of the most important coverages a person can have on their automobile and it is strongly recommended that you consult your insurance agent to determine whether or not you have adequate limits of coverage.