Car Accidents: Knowing Florida’s No-Fault Law

Car Accidents – Knowing Florida’s No-Fault Law

Car accidents in Florida are an unfortunate reality. Our unique no-fault PIP law plays a mandatory role in car accidents. This law requires drivers to have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage which covers medical bills and lost income (normally up to $10,000) regardless of who was at fault in a car accident. This may seem unfair – why is my insurance company paying my medical bills when I am not at fault – but this is the law.

Understanding the Florida No-Fault law is important to protecting your rights and ensuring that you get the compensation you deserve should you be in a Florida car accident.

If you are involved in a car accident, talking to a Florida car accident attorney is important in order to navigate Florida’s no-fault law and to obtain the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages. 

Florida’s no-fault law requires that all Florida car owners carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. This coverage dictates that, in the event of an accident, each driver’s auto insurance pays for their medical expenses and lost wages up to a particular limit (normally $10,000), regardless of who caused the accident.

Features of PIP Coverage:

1. Medical Expenses: PIP covers up to 80% of necessary medical expenses resulting from the accident. These can include hospital bills, surgical procedures, and rehabilitation costs. 
2. Lost Wages: PIP covers 60% of lost wages if you cannot work due to injuries sustained in an accident. 
3. Death Benefits: In the unfortunate event of a fatality, PIP provides a $5,000 death benefit to the deceased’s family.
4. With standard $10,000 PIP coverage, the maximum amount that is payable by the insurance company is $10,000 whether you receive medical benefits, lost wages, or both. For example, if you receive lost wage benefits of $1,000 you will have $9,000 worth of PIP benefits to pay your medical bills.

Limitations of PIP Insurance:

While PIP insurance offers semi-immediate medical and lost wage payments, it also has some limitations:

1. Coverage Limits are normally $10,000 for medical expenses and lost wages combined. This maximum amount may not be enough in significant car accidents where you sustained large medical bills. The medical bills can quickly exceed the coverage limit for more serious injuries, leaving the victim responsible for the remaining expenses. This is why it is important to talk to a lawyer who specializes in injury law – there are many other avenues to pursue to pay for your additional medical bills and to also get you compensation for your injuries and damages.
2. PIP does not pay for pain & suffering damages or your future medical bills. These types of damages can only be claimed against the at-fault driver’s insurance company and/or your own auto insurance under uninsured/underinsured coverage.

Seeking Legal Advice and Assistance:

Navigating the complexity of Florida’s no-fault law can be difficult without legal assistance. It is possible that seeking the assistance of a lawyer who specializes in car accident law can be crucial and provide you with not only valuable insight but also the maximum compensation you deserve. 

A lawyer who specializes in injury law can help determine the best and most efficient ways to get your medical bills paid in full and obtain maximum compensation for your injuries and damages. Feel free to call the lawyers at Aronberg & Aronberg, Injury Law Firm at 561-266-9191. For over 25 years, we have been handling car accidents for our clients and would be happy to help you!

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