Personal injury protection insurance (also known as PIP no-fault) covers you and the other people insured under your policy for any medical costs and damages that result from an automobile accident, regardless of fault. Some states like Florida require PIP insured.
In an ideal situation, the insurance company would respond to your injury with promptness and consideration. The majority of car accident cases are fraught with problems. Insurance companies are businesses and they want to protect their bottom lines. They benefit by giving you the runaround and dragging out your claim.
After a car accident, no one should be forced to go through a series of hoops.
You may wonder what to do if you or someone you love has been in a car crash. You can recover your damages by hiring a lawyer who is familiar with personal injury protection.
Does Florida Require Personal Injury Protection Insurance?
Yes. Florida is a state that does not hold drivers responsible for car accidents. It is a no-fault car accident state. As such, it guarantees personal injury protection to anyone involved in an auto accident. It also requires that all cars registered in Florida carry at least $10,000 of coverage. You can decide whether your policy covers you only or the entire household.
What Is Covered by PIP Insurance?
Florida policyholders can receive up to $10,000 as PIP funds. These funds are available to cover prescriptions, ambulance costs, surgical procedures, and ambulance treatment. They can also be used to reimburse lost wages, home care, pet care, or funeral expenses. The amount can cover up to 80% of medical costs and 60% of lost wages. If your medical costs totaled $8,000, then your PIP will cover $6,000 of your recovery.
You can sue the driver even if you have less than $10,000 in damages. This includes any expenses or bills that are not covered by PIP. You may also be able to sue the other party to recover additional compensation.
How to File a PIP Claim?
It is important to start your claim as quickly as possible. After contacting our personal injuries lawyers, you can follow these steps to submit a PIP claim:
- Contact your insurance provider to report the accident.
- When you call your insurance provider, be sure to ask if your policy includes PIP coverage.
- You can ask the agent to give you your claim number as well as the contact details of the claim office.
- Talk to your insurance adjuster at the claims office.
- Ask the adjustor to provide you with an application for PIP as soon as possible. Ask for a doctor’s report and a form of salary verification.
- Fill out your PIP form as soon as you can.
- Ask your doctor to fill out the Attending Doctors Report.
- Request that your employer complete the Salary Verification form. This step is only necessary if your injury causes you to miss work.
- Send the Attending Physicians Report as well as the Salary Verification Form back to your adjustor.
- Give your healthcare providers your claim number, adjuster’s name, and contact information for the claim office.
- Directly bill your PIP to your healthcare providers.
It is important to act quickly if you want the insurance company to do the right thing. There are only a few days left for the PIP eligibility window. If you do not act, your right to compensation may be forfeited. PIP benefits are available to all victims of auto accidents in Florida.
What Is the Time Limit for Filing a PIP Claim?
Personal injury protection (PIP) regulations give you 14 days after an accident to seek medical attention. You should always seek medical attention immediately after a collision. A doctor can determine the extent and severity of your injuries.
What Medical Costs Are Covered by Personal Injury Protection?
PIP covers most medical treatment associated with auto accident injuries. PIP covers:
- Medical Services
- Pharmaceuticals
- Surgical Services
- Rehabilitation costs
- Cost of diagnostic tests
- EMS care
Massage therapy and acupuncture are two treatments that PIP does not cover.
There are limits to PIP’s coverage. PIP doesn’t cover all medical costs. Florida’s PIP laws state that IP only covers 80% of medical bills. The co-payment is the remaining 20%. There may be a deductible as well. If you have medical insurance, this can be used to reduce, or even eliminate, your medical expenses.
By law, the amount of coverage must be at least $10,000. You should still ask your doctor whether your injury is an emergency. PIP only covers up to $2,500 in benefits if the doctor fails to recognize an Emergency Medical Condition.
What About My Lost Wages?
Florida PIP will also pay 60% of your lost wage up to a maximum limit of $10,000. The coverage can also include things that you could normally do but are unable to due to your injury, including home care costs, such as:
- Cleaning your home
- Pet care
- Doing laundry
- Children’s care
PIP benefits cover both medical expenses and wage loss. The total benefit amount is $10,000, not $10,000 for medical expenses and $10,000 for lost wages.
What Are the PIP Death Benefits?
If the PIP policyholder dies in an accident, PIP pays for funeral and burial costs in addition to all the benefits discussed. These costs are limited to $5,000.
What If This Is Not My First Accident?
The PIP coverage is reset each time you have an accident. Even if you are involved in another accident, the medical expenses and lost wage benefits will be reset if it is a short time after your first crash.
Does Personal Injury Protection Prevent a Person From Pursuing a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
You can still bring a claim for personal injury if your medical bills, lost wages, or permanent injury totaled more than $10,000. Florida is a “no-fault” state until accident costs exceed the PIP limits. It is important to speak with an experienced and qualified attorney in Florida regarding your case.
Summing Up!
Don’t delay if you have been involved in an accident in Florida. Protect your rights and receive the compensation that you deserve. A personal injury lawyer here at Jenkins Law can guide you through PIP claims and make sure you are fully covered. Act now to protect your future!
