After a Florida car accident, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance policy should pay your medical bills. However, once you exhaust your PIP, you may need to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver to collect the compensation you deserve. Florida’s no-fault laws are complex and difficult to understand at first. That’s why contacting an experienced Florida car accident attorney after your crash is important. Your lawyer will meet with you, answer your questions, and help you understand who pays your medical bills after a car accident in Florida.
Florida’s PIP Pays Medical Bills After a Car Accident
Florida has no-fault insurance laws. This means that regardless of who is at fault for the crash, all drivers and passengers first turn to their PIP policies. All drivers in Florida must carry a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection coverage that kicks in after a crash. This pays your medical bills, no matter who is to blame. It means you can get help paying for your medical expenses without negotiating with insurance companies or proving liability.
To receive PIP benefits, however, you must receive medical treatment for your accident within two weeks of the car crash. This is known as the 14-day rule (Florida Statute § 627.736). If you do not receive medical treatment within this time, you cannot collect PIP benefits.
Filing a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claim in Florida can be challenging, and it might not cover all your medical bills. PIP insurance usually pays for only 80% of your medical expenses and 60% of the wages you lose due to an accident. If your injuries aren’t considered emergencies, the coverage drops to a paltry $2,500, which is rarely enough to cover costs.
Adding to the frustration, your insurance company might not be eager to pay even the 80% or 60% they’re supposed to, as they prioritize their profits over your needs. This is why it’s crucial to work with our experienced Florida car accident lawyers from the very beginning when making a PIP claim. We understand the ins and outs of PIP claims and can help protect your rights.
Moreover, our lawyers can help you explore your legal options and determine if you may be eligible to file a claim or lawsuit against the liable party.
Who Else Can Pay My Medical Bills After a Car Accident?
Once you’ve used all your PIP, you can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Their insurance company will investigate the accident and negotiate with you and your attorney to determine how much of your medical bills they’ll pay.
If you are partly to blame for your accident, the insurance company will want to assign you some of the blame. This is where an experienced Florida car accident lawyer can help. Your attorney can fight for maximum compensation and negotiate with the insurance companies to make sure you’re getting what’s fair.
Can I File a Personal Injury Lawsuit to Pay My Medical Bills?
If the at-fault driver does not pay enough of your medical bills, you may have to file a personal injury lawsuit against them. Your lawyer must prove that the at-fault driver caused your accident and then gather the necessary evidence to win your case. In a personal injury lawsuit, your attorney can seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
What If the Other Driver Didn’t Have Insurance?
As many as 1 in 5 Florida drivers are illegally driving without insurance. Even more have inadequate insurance policies. If the at-fault driver does not have car insurance, you may need to turn to your UM/UIM (uninsured motorist) coverage to pay your medical bills.
Unfortunately, some car accident victims run into an uphill battle with their own insurance companies. Even though you pay your premiums on time, your insurer may argue against paying your claim, or they may try to find loopholes in your policy.
If you are getting the runaround when trying to collect UM/UIM benefits, you need an experienced Florida car accident lawyer on your side to handle the insurance company.
What Type of Medical Bills Can You Seek Compensation For After an Accident?
When you suffer injuries in a car accident in Florida, you can seek compensation for any medical expense related to the car accident. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Ambulance or emergency airlift transportation
- Imaging tests, like CT scans and MRIs
- Hospitalizations
- Surgeries
- Medications (OTC and Prescription)
- Medical devices
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Copays and deductibles
- Living assistance (in-home nursing care)
To help your car accident attorney collect the compensation you deserve, keep good records of your expenses. Keep all receipts and a detailed journal of your recovery. This evidence will help you obtain the money you need to pay your medical bills after a crash.
Contact Our Florida Car Accident Lawyers
Dealing with PIP claims in Florida can be complicated. That’s why hiring a skilled Florida car accident attorney is important. At Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys, PA, we can help you navigate the PIP claim process, deal with uncooperative insurance companies, and make informed decisions about any potential legal actions.
Insurance companies often prioritize their own interests. You deserve to have someone on your side who has your best interests at heart.
Call Prosper Shaked today at (305) 694-2676 or fill out our confidential contact form. Let us be your advocates in seeking justice and compensation for the consequences of a defective tire. Don’t delay; your future depends on the actions you take today.