Ross F. Mann | May 6, 2025 | Car Accidents
If you’re involved in a car accident in Kentucky, you may have heard the term “bodily injury liability.” This type of insurance is very important when someone is hurt in a crash. But what does it really mean? And how does it work in Kentucky? This article explains everything you need to know about bodily injury liability in simple terms, especially how it works under Kentucky’s laws.
What Is Bodily Injury Liability?
Bodily injury liability is a type of car insurance coverage. It pays for other people’s medical bills and related costs if you cause an accident that hurts them. This coverage does not pay for your own injuries—only for others who are hurt because of your mistake.
What Does It Cover?
Bodily injury liability helps cover:
- Doctor and hospital bills
- Physical therapy or rehab
- Lost wages if the injured person can’t work
- Pain and suffering damages
- Legal fees if you get sued
If you don’t have enough insurance, you may have to pay these costs out of pocket. That’s why it’s important to have enough coverage.
Kentucky’s “Choice No-Fault” Insurance System
Kentucky is a “choice no-fault” state for car accidents. This means your own insurance usually pays for your medical bills, no matter who caused the accident.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Kentucky drivers are required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. This covers the first $10,000 of medical bills, lost wages, or other expenses after an accident. However, in more serious accidents—when injuries go beyond the basic PIP limits—bodily injury liability coverage becomes very important.
Opting Out of No-Fault
Kentucky lets drivers “opt out” of the no-fault system. If someone opts out, they can sue the at-fault driver for all medical costs and pain and suffering, even for minor injuries.
Kentucky’s Minimum Insurance Requirements
Kentucky law requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of insurance, including bodily injury liability. As of 2025, the minimum required limits are:
- $25,000 in bodily injury damages for each person
- $50,000 total for the injuries sustained by more than one person in a single accident
- $25,000 for all property damage
While this meets the legal requirement, many experts suggest getting higher limits to better protect yourself.
When Does Bodily Injury Liability Apply?
Bodily injury liability insurance comes into play when:
- You are found at fault for an accident
- Someone else is injured, and their medical costs go over PIP limits
- The injured person sues you for pain and suffering
- The injured person has opted out of the no-fault system
This type of insurance is not for fixing your car or covering your own injuries—that’s what collision or health insurance is for. If you’re unsure who is at fault or how much you could owe, a personal injury attorney can help guide you.
What Happens if You Don’t Have Enough Coverage?
If the injuries you caused cost more than your insurance covers, you may be personally responsible for the rest. That could mean:
- The injured person sues you in court
- Your wages could be garnished
- You might have to pay out of your own savings or property
This is why many drivers choose to carry higher limits—such as 100/300 coverage, which means $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident. Having too little coverage can lead to serious financial trouble if you hurt someone in a crash.
Bodily injury liability coverage is more than just a legal requirement in Kentucky—it’s an important safety net. It protects you financially if you hurt someone in an accident. Even though Kentucky is a choice no-fault state, serious injuries often go beyond PIP coverage. That’s when bodily injury liability becomes essential.
Contact the Lexington Car Accident Lawyers of Ross Mann Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
If you were injured in an accident in Lexington, and need legal help, contact our car accident attorneys at Ross Mann Personal Injury Lawyers, to schedule a free case review today.
We proudly serve Fayette County and the surrounding areas.
Ross Mann Personal Injury Lawyers – Lexington
501 Darby Creek Rd UNIT 48
Lexington, KY 40509
(859) 413-3900
