Why You May Need a Personal Injury Attorney After a Rhode Island Auto Accident
If you suffered injuries in a recent Rhode Island auto accident and carry auto insurance, you may question the need for a personal injury attorney. When you cause an accident that injures someone else, your bodily injury (BI) insurance pays for that person’s medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Rhode Island requires minimum BI coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, though drivers may purchase higher limits.
Rhode Island also requires uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage (UM/UIM). This coverage pays your medical expenses when the at-fault driver lacks insurance or carries insufficient coverage. UM/UIM coverage also applies in hit-and-run accidents when the other driver leaves the scene.
If you cause an accident and injure yourself, optional medical payments coverage can pay your medical bills. This coverage may also cover medical or funeral expenses for others who suffer injuries or death in the accident.
Why Insurance Claims Are Often Denied or Reduced
Because Rhode Island requires or offers several types of coverage, many people expect insurance companies to pay valid claims without issue. In practice, insurers often delay, deny, or reduce payouts. These actions occur even when policyholders file claims with their own insurance companies.
Insurance companies focus on protecting profits. They may challenge medical treatment, question injury severity, or dispute coverage to limit payments. These tactics can leave injured drivers struggling to cover medical costs and lost income.
What a Recent Case Reveals About Insurance Tactics
A recent case in Kentucky highlights how insurance companies reduce or deny benefits. In Hack et al. v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Insurance Company, the plaintiffs allege that a State Farm unit relied on a “utilization review” process to deny personal injury benefits. These reviews involved paper evaluations rather than direct medical assessments.
According to the lawsuit, State Farm paid third-party vendors to conduct these reviews. The company then used their findings to deny medical benefits. Kentucky law prohibits insurers from denying personal injury protection (PIP) benefits based solely on these reviews. The complaint states that State Farm Mutual denied more than $6 million in PIP benefits to Kentucky policyholders after conducting approximately 1,600 utilization reviews.
Why This Matters to Rhode Island Auto Accident Victims
State Farm holds a significant share of the auto insurance market in Rhode Island. If an insurer uses aggressive tactics in one state, it may use similar practices elsewhere. This case shows how insurers may prioritize cost savings over policyholder care.
If you suffered injuries in a car accident, an attorney can protect your rights and challenge unfair insurance practices. A Rhode Island personal injury attorney can review your claim, negotiate with insurers, and pursue the full benefits you deserve. Scheduling a free consultation helps ensure someone fights for your interests at every step.
