Your claim will be handled through your own policy’s Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, if you have it. This is optional in some states but highly recommended. It covers your vehicle repairs and medical bills when the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage. If you only have basic liability insurance, you likely cannot make a UM claim. In that case, you may need to use your collision coverage for repairs (subject to your deductible) or pursue the driver personally, which is often difficult.

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.

Initially, you or your health insurance are responsible for paying the bills to avoid damage to your credit and collection actions. If you have MedPay (medical payments) coverage on your own auto policy, that can pay first. Do not delay treatment expecting the other party’s insurance to pay upfront; they only pay as part of a final settlement. Your eventual liability settlement should reimburse you for these paid bills and cover any outstanding balances.