Coverages related to bodily injury – third party liability coverage
If the other driver was at fault for causing the collision, you have a claim against the other driver for your damages. If that driver was insured, then his insurance company will defend him and try to negotiate a settlement of the case.
Unlike PIP coverage that is limited to four specific categories, liability coverage pays for all amounts of damages that are recoverable under the law including such things are (1) charges for reasonable and necessary health care related to the collision, (2) lost wages, lost earning capacity, or economic losses, (3) out of pocket expense related to the collision, (4) pain, (5) suffering, (6) disfigurement, (7) loss of enjoyment of life and loss of activity, (8) temporary or permanent disability, (9) shortening of life expectancy, and (10) loss of consortium.
In Washington, all drivers are required to have liability coverage for bodily injuries of $25,000 per person up to $50,000.00 per collision. Most drivers carry higher limits. Your rights against the other driver are not dependent on the amount of insurance carried by the other driver; however, your ability to collect on any judgment that you obtain may as a practical matter be constrained by the amount of insurance available.
