What was once a typical day of running errands has quickly turned into a nightmare after you were involved in a car crash. Now, you’re in the back of an ambulance wondering how you’ll pay for the treatment you’ll receive. When you’re the victim of an auto accident, it can feel overwhelming and tiring to receive compensation for your medical bills. If you’ve been injured in a collision, you’ll want to keep reading to learn who is liable for your expenses and how a Broward County auto accident lawyer can help you.
What Is a No-Fault Auto Accident?
Florida is a “no-fault” state, meaning both parties involved in the accident can file a claim with their auto insurance providers, regardless of who is responsible for the accident.
Because Florida is a no-fault state, all auto insurance companies must offer their customers Personal Injury Protection, with a minimum of $10,000. This PIP insurance is an extension of your auto coverage and will handle medical bills resulting from injuries sustained in an accident.
How Do I File a PIP Claim?
In order to file a PIP claim, there are several steps you must take. Within two weeks of the accident, you must seek medical treatment from a PIP provider. Waiting any longer will make you ineligible for benefits.
The provider must be covered under PIP law. The following medical professionals would be eligible to treat you:
- Medical doctors (M.D.)
- Doctors of osteopathy (D.O.)
- Doctors of chiropractic (D.C.)
- Hospitals
- Dentists
- Emergency medical personnel
When seeking treatment from these healthcare providers, they will determine if the accident caused an emergency medical condition. To fit the criteria, your injuries must pose serious jeopardy to your health, impairment of bodily function, or dysfunction of an organ.
Once you are diagnosed, you will be able to file a PIP claim. Generally, you can receive up to $10,000.
What Happens if My PIP Doesn’t Cover My Bills?
In some instances, your PIP coverage may not cover the total amount of your medical bills. If this is the case, you can file a claim with your health insurance to cover the rest of the expenses.
If you do not have insurance, or your insurance doesn’t cover a lot of the expenses, you may be eligible to sue the negligent driver responsible for the accident. This also allows you to receive compensation for the out-of-pocket costs caused by treatment for injuries sustained in the accident.
However, because Florida is a comparative negligence state, you will need an experienced lawyer on your side to help you prove fault. This is vital, as failure to determine fault in an accident can leave you shouldering the burden of the medical bills.
If you need an experienced and competent lawyer, The Finizio Law Group is ready to help you. Our firm is dedicated to ensuring our clients get the justice they deserve.