Fort Myers Personal Injury Lawsuit Process
Personal injury protection, or PIP, is a special category of insurance coverage used in no-fault states. Florida is a no-fault state. When a vehicle accident occurs, victims do not need to prove who was at fault for the accident to determine who should cover losses and damages caused by the accident. Instead, they must simply turn to their insurance provider for coverage. This action contrasts with at-fault states where you must prove fault and then sue the responsible party for compensation.
Fort Myers Personal Injury Protection Coverage
PIP coverage pays for certain losses and expenses not covered by other policies you may have, such as your health insurance, car insurance, or accident liability coverage. However, PIP coverage usually does not cover catastrophic losses. In the event of such losses, you may have to sue the at-fault party for compensation. For assistance with a Fort Myers personal injury protection case, please contact the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato at (954) 633-8270 for a free case evaluation.
Understanding PIP Coverage Rules in Fort Myers, Florida
PIP coverage can help accident victims quickly receive the funds they need to cover medical care expenses and lost income following an accident. It is sometimes called no-fault insurance because receiving PIP compensation is not contingent on proving someone’s fault or responsibility for an accident. All parties involved in an accident—the victim, the at-fault party, and their passengers—can use PIP coverage for reimbursement after an accident.
Florida Law Requires You to Carry a Minimum of $10,000 in PIP
In addition to PIP, you may choose to purchase additional forms of coverage, such as uninsured or underinsured motorist cover. Florida law requires you to carry a minimum of $10,000 in PIP, but the state has a very high percentage of uninsured drivers. Over a quarter of all drivers operate their vehicle without proper insurance. If an uninsured driver struck you in an at-fault state, you would have little recourse for compensation if you did not have an uninsured motorist policy, but with Florida’s no-fault rules, PIP can cover you in such an accident.
There are, however, certain issues and limits with PIP coverage.
- It only covers certain losses, such as medical care expenses and lost income, and only up to certain limits.
- If you do not require treatment within two weeks of an accident but discover later that you were injured, you may unintentionally forego your PIP cover.
- Property damage is not covered.
- If you suffered serious injuries, you may have to sue the at-fault party for compensation despite having PIP cover.
- Coinsurance payments and certain deductibles may reduce your benefits.
- You may have to undergo an independent health assessment before you can receive benefits.
- You must provide proof of compensable injuries and losses caused by the accident within specific timelines.
A Fort Myers personal injury protection lawyer may be able to help you navigate the complexities of PIP coverage if you were involved in an accident. Call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato today at (954) 633-8270 for a free case review.
Filing a Claim in Fort Myers
Some people abuse PIP coverage, and insurance companies very rightfully scrutinize PIP claims to ensure compensation for only valid claims. They have very strict evidence requirements and filing protocols to do this. However, in an effort to avoid making payouts for fraudulent claims, an insurance company may inadvertently deny a valid claim. If this happens, you may have to bear lost income and medical care expenses on your own.
Insurance companies may also deny claims on the basis of incomplete evidence, treatments that were already received, or treatments that the insurance company deems to be non-compensable, such as various forms of therapy.
Seeking Legal Assistance
PIPs provide accident victims with quick relief for medical expenses and various losses that arise after a vehicle accident. However, some people may get lost in the process of seeking compensation, or they may suffer unwarranted delays or unexpected deductions in their final payout.
An attorney may be able to help you with a PIP claim. Please speak with a Fort Myers personal injury lawyer with the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato to learn more. Contact our offices at (954) 633-8270 to speak with a member of our team.
