Florida law currently requires all vehicle owners registered in the state to have a minimum of $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage. This insurance, commonly known as no fault insurance, is intended to provide you with up to $10,000 in medical coverage if you are in an accident.
With PIP coverage, you are responsible for your own injuries in a car accident no matter who caused it. Sometimes this works out for people injured in car accidents, with PIP and medical insurance paying for medical expenses. However, often, accident victims are left with unpaid medical bills, unanswered questions about their coverage, and lingering pain and suffering from the accident.
Being familiar with how PIP works and your legal options for pursuing additional compensation will help you avoid this situation if you’re involved in a serious car accident.
How Florida PIP Works
PIP insurance is no-fault insurance, meaning it pays for your medical bills if you are injured in a car accident. However, it comes with some stipulations and limits.
First, to be eligible for PIP benefits, you must have begun treatment within two weeks of the accident. Second, PIP pays only 80% of your medical bills up to $10,000, including hospital care, doctor visits, prescriptions, and rehabilitation. If, however, your injuries do not constitute an “emergency medical condition,” you cannot collect more than $2,500 in PIP benefits.
According to the PIP law, an “emergency medical condition” is a condition that requires immediate medical attention and could seriously jeopardize your health. PIP coverage extends to follow-up services related to the diagnosed conditions, with the exclusion of massage and acupuncture therapy.
If you are seriously injured in a car accident and can’t work, your PIP insurance will pay 60% of your lost wages. Also, if someone dies from car accident injuries, PIP will pay $5,000 in death benefits in addition to medical and disability benefits.
An Experienced Insurance Attorney Can Help
The payment you receive from your PIP insurance when you are injured in a car accident might not be sufficient or fair. At Higgs Law, P.A., we suggest you keep track of medical expenses related to a car accident and get help from an experienced Personal Injury Protection attorney with filing your claim and obtaining fair compensation.
If your case is complicated, as many are, having an experienced Florida PIP attorney working with you can help you get the payment you need.