Car accidents can cause serious injuries and financial challenges, leaving victims unsure of who pays for medical bills or lost wages. The question many drivers ask is, What is bodily injury liability, and why does it matter?
At Glotzer & Leib, we help Burbank residents understand how this essential insurance coverage protects them and others after a collision..
Every driver in California is required to carry auto insurance that includes bodily injury liability coverage. This type of coverage protects you if you’re at fault in a car accident that causes harm to another person. Bodily injury (BI) liability is a type of auto insurance that covers the costs of injuries to others when you are legally responsible for an accident. It helps pay for their medical treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering, and legal expenses if a lawsuit is filed. This coverage is required in most states and protects your finances by paying for harm to others, not your own injuries or vehicle damage.
In Burbank, this protection isn’t just recommended, it’s legally required. The California Department of Insurance explains that bodily injury liability covers costs for personal injury or property damage caused by the insured driver.
Bodily injury liability helps cover the expenses of people hurt in an accident where you are found responsible. It’s meant to protect you from paying significant out-of-pocket costs. This coverage includes:
This type of insurance is more than just financial protection, it offers peace of mind. Knowing that you have coverage in place can make a difficult situation a little easier to handle. It also helps simplify the claims process by reducing disputes between drivers and insurers. With proper coverage, injured parties can receive medical care faster, while you avoid unnecessary legal stress or delays.
Bodily injury liability and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) are often confused, but cover different people. Bodily injury liability helps the other party when you cause an accident, while PIP helps you and your passengers, regardless of who is at fault.
Since California follows a fault-based system, PIP isn’t mandatory here. However, many drivers still add it for extra peace of mind. Bodily injury liability protects others, and PIP protects you; together, they can make your policy more complete.
California sets minimum insurance requirements for all drivers. The California Department of Motor Vehicles lists the following minimum coverage limits:
While these limits meet state requirements, they may not be enough after a severe collision. Medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering can quickly exceed these amounts. Many Burbank drivers opt for higher policy limits to avoid personal financial exposure. Paying more for better protection can prevent years of debt if a major accident occurs.
At Glotzer & Leib, LLP, we believe every injury victim deserves experienced, dedicated representation, without being treated like just another case. With decades of experience and a track record of seven-figure results, we take on powerful insurance companies and fight for those whose lives have been disrupted by serious motor vehicle accident, a workplace injury, or any type of personal injury claim. You’re not just a case to us, you’re our priority.
Bodily injury liability coverage is divided into two main limits that define how much your insurance company will pay.
This is the maximum amount paid for injuries to one person in a single accident. If your limit is $30,000, that’s the most your insurer will pay to one injured person, even if their expenses are higher.
This limit is the total amount your policy will pay for all injuries in one crash. For instance, with a $60,000 limit, your insurer pays up to that total amount for everyone hurt in the same accident.
Understanding how these limits work can help you choose a policy that fits your financial situation and risk tolerance. Choosing higher limits ensures better protection if the unexpected happens.
Driving without this coverage in California is illegal and can have serious consequences. You may face hefty fines, license suspension, and personal responsibility for paying damages out of pocket. Without insurance, you could also lose the right to recover compensation for pain and suffering if another driver injures you.
Beyond the legal penalties, not having coverage can leave you financially vulnerable. The cost of medical bills, legal claims, and settlements can be overwhelming without insurance. It’s simply not worth the risk.
Understanding insurance coverage can feel confusing, especially after an accident. At Glotzer & Leib, we help injured individuals across Burbank make sense of their policies, pursue fair compensation, and protect their rights.
If you have questions about your bodily injury liability coverage or were hurt by another driver’s negligence, contact us today at 747-241-8288. Our team is ready to guide you through your next steps and help protect your future.
Joshua W. Glotzer is a Super Lawyers-recognized personal injury attorney and Managing Partner at Glotzer & Leib, LLP. With over 25 years of experience and multiple seven-figure recoveries, he handles complex cases involving car accidents, slip and falls, and elder abuse. Known for his personalized, results-driven approach, Glotzer ensures every client receives the skilled representation they deserve.
“Mr. Glotzer represented me after I was involved in a car accident. I was badly injured,but the insurance company refused to offer me a reasonable settlement. I decided to find an attorney and decided to hire Josh.
His law firm did a great job on my case. They were very responsive to all my questions and obtained a great resolution for me. I received way more money than was originally offered. I would recommend their firm to friends and family.”
“Mr. Josh Glotzer is a great attorney. Over the last 15 years he has helped me on a number of cases with professionalism, and more importantly a positive outcome in my favor. I have referred him to a number of friends and colleagues, all of which have been equally as happy with his legal representation. I trust him and confident in legal ability. I highly recommend his law firm.”
“Don’t try to deal with insurance companies on your own. They strung me along for almost two years before I gave the case to Glotzer & Leib. Josh and his team quickly obtained a settlement that netted me many times what the insurance company was offering. Thank You!”
“My wife was in a car accident last year and Josh did an amazing job representing her. It’s very refreshing to see someone in his profession that actually cares and puts his clients first. He’s the best in the business and I feel so fortunate that I was referred to him. Keep up the great work and thanks for everything you did for my family!”
“I was in a rear end car accident last year and hired Mr. Glotzer’s office. It wasn’t a big case but their office helped me with my property damage claim and did a good job resolving the injury portion of the case as well.”
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