If a claim exceeds your policy limits, you are personally responsible for the remaining balance. The injured party or their insurer can sue you to recover these excess costs. This could lead to wage garnishment, liens on your property, or other collections. This is why selecting adequate liability limits is critical. Do not just buy the state minimum; consider your assets and future earnings. An umbrella policy is an affordable way to add extra liability protection on top of your auto and home insurance.

The single most effective step is to purchase robust Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage with limits matching your liability coverage. Also, consider adding Collision coverage to handle vehicle repairs regardless of fault. Verify your policy includes these protections and understand your deductibles. While you cannot control others, maintaining your own strong coverage creates a financial safety net. Some insurers also offer “accident forgiveness” add-ons, but prioritizing high UM/UIM limits is the fundamental protection.

The law recognizes three core defect types. A manufacturing defect is a flaw that makes one specific product different and more dangerous than others in its line. A design defect means the entire product line is inherently unsafe due to a poor blueprint. A marketing defect involves failures in proper instructions or warnings, failing to alert users to non-obvious risks. Your claim’s path depends on proving which type of defect caused your injury, as the legal tests and evidence required differ for each category.