Injury claim terms, explained
Use this reference to follow a conversation about a claim, a lawsuit, or an auto policy. Write down the exact term you hear and ask how it applies to your situation.
PIP
Personal injury protection is a type of first-party auto coverage. Benefits vary by state and policy.UM/UIM
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may apply when an at-fault driver has no insurance or too little. Check your policy.Check two common terms
What is a deposition?
Questioning under oath outside trial, usually recorded as part of discovery. The full definition and a question to ask appear below.
What is a policy limit?
The maximum amount a particular coverage promises to pay under its terms. It does not establish the value of a claim.
Before a lawsuit
These words often appear in conversations with a firm or insurer. Their exact legal effect depends on the facts and applicable law.
- Claim
A request that a person or insurer address an alleged loss. A claim can be discussed or investigated without a court case being filed.
Ask: Who is receiving the claim, and what information have they requested?
- Liability
Legal responsibility for a loss. An insurer’s decision about coverage and a court’s decision about responsibility are different questions.
Ask: What facts are disputed, and which policy may respond?
- Settlement
An agreement resolving a dispute, often in exchange for payment and a release. Read the proposed terms before assuming what claims the agreement ends.
Ask: What would be released, and what would remain payable after fees and other obligations?
If a civil lawsuit is filed
The U.S. Courts describe the following stages in federal civil cases. State courts have their own procedures and terminology.
- Complaint
A document that starts a civil court case by stating the plaintiff’s claims against the defendant.
Ask: Which court and parties appear in the filed complaint?
- Discovery
The process through which parties obtain information relevant to a case. It can involve documents, written questions, and testimony.
Ask: Which records do you need to preserve and produce?
- Deposition
Questioning under oath outside the trial, usually recorded by a court reporter as part of discovery.
Ask: Who will prepare you, and what subjects are expected?
- Mediation
A process in which a neutral person helps parties explore a voluntary resolution. It does not itself guarantee an agreement.
Ask: Who makes the final decision on any proposed settlement?
Common auto insurance words
Coverage depends on the policy, the state, and the incident. These are general descriptions, not a conclusion that a particular claim is covered.
- Bodily injury liability
Coverage that may address injuries the policyholder causes to other people, subject to policy terms and limits.
Ask: Which insurer and policy are involved, and has coverage been confirmed?
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)
Coverage that may apply when an at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient insurance. The covered people and available amounts vary.
Ask: Does my policy include UM/UIM, and what conditions or limits apply?
- Medical payments and personal injury protection (MedPay/PIP)
Types of first-party auto coverage that may pay certain injury-related costs. Benefits and requirements differ by state and policy.
Ask: Which benefit applies, what bills are eligible, and how are payments coordinated?
- Policy limit
The maximum amount a particular coverage promises to pay under the policy, subject to its terms. A limit does not establish the value of an injury claim.
Ask: Which coverage and limit is being discussed?
Sources and review
Reviewed September 2026. Court procedures and insurance rules vary by jurisdiction; check the current policy and ask a qualified local lawyer about your circumstances.
General information only. This page does not provide legal advice or evaluate any claim or policy.