Florida is one of the few states with a no-fault insurance system. What this means is that auto insurance pays benefits to the insured driver following an accident, regardless of who was at fault in that accident. Florida drivers are required by law to have this insurance. No-fault insurance — also known as a personal injury protection policy (PIP) — was meant to streamline the process of receiving compensation after an accident and prevent many personal injury cases from tying up the court.
The benefit of PIP insurance is that it often pays very quickly, and it guarantees that you will receive compensation following an injury accident, regardless of who was at fault. However, there are a few drawbacks as well. With last year’s law changes, you now must act quickly to receive the maximum benefits from your policy. In addition, it’s harder in a no-fault system to sue an at-fault driver for damages, and the compensation provided for you in the system may not adequately cover your expenses.
In January, 2013, the state legislature revised its statutes in regard to PIP policies. The law now requires PIP policies to pay for 80 percent of medical bills and 60percent of lost wages up to $10,000 for the insured driver and passengers if there is an emergency medical condition that treatment is sought for within 14 days of the accident. The law also requires the policy to pay up to $5,000 in death benefits. Those injured in accidents only receive up to $2,500 of medical compensation if their injuries are not determined to be emergency medical conditions.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, there are not only time limitations but other potential challenges that arise from dealing with insurance companies. The attorneys at DDB Law have experience in dealing with no-fault insurance claims and would be glad to help you understand the process. Please contact us for more information.