The primary difference between no-fault and at-fault insurance is that no-fault insurance pays for damages regardless of who caused the accident, while a negligent driver’s at-fault coverage pays for other people’s damages in an accident.
If you’re unsure which insurance policy to seek damages from after a wreck, a car accident attorney can help you understand your options.
What Florida’s Vehicle Insurance Framework Means for You
While Florida is a “no-fault state,” several types of no-fault and at-fault car insurance coverage are actually available to drivers in Florida. Two of these are mandatory, while others are optional. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), every motorist in the state must have:
- A minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage: You can use this no-fault coverage if you suffer accident-related injuries, regardless of who is liable for the collision. Florida Statutes § 627.736 dictates that your insurer should cover 80% of medical costs and 60% of lost wages up to coverage limits.
- A minimum of $10,000 in property damage liability (PDL) coverage: This at-fault insurance covers property damage to others’ vehicles in any accident you cause.
Other types of car insurance policies available in Florida include:
- Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) Insurance– If you have an at-fault BIL policy, it will cover injuries to others in an accident that is your fault. While it is never a bad idea to purchase a BIL policy, it is only mandatory for drivers of for-hire passenger transportation vehicles such as taxis, per Florida Statutes § 324.032.
- Collision Insurance– Collision coverage will pay for your vehicle’s repairs in an accident, regardless of fault. While this coverage is optional in Florida, it is highly recommended, especially since Florida has a very high uninsured motorist rate.
Insurance coverage is always complex, especially when it comes to securing the compensation you deserve. Allow a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer to manage every detail of your claim so you can focus on recovery.
No-Fault Insurance Coverage Can Make the Claims Process Tricky
Rather than dealing solely with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, Florida’s no-fault insurance statutes mean you may have to deal with both your insurance provider and the at-fault motorist’s provider after an accident. This can complicate matters, and you should consider that:
Either Insurer Can Deny or Undervalue Your Claim
Some people believe getting fair compensation from their insurance provider after a motor vehicle accident will be easy. However, this is not always the case, and you may find that the insurer:
- Denies your claim
- Undervalues your medical expenses, vehicle repairs, or other losses
- Is uncooperative in trying to reach a fair settlement agreement
- Presents other challenges to your claim
Our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys are familiar with bad-faith insurance tactics, and we are always prepared to counter them.
Your Insurance May Not Adequately Cover Your Losses
With minimum PIP coverage limits of $10,000, many car accident victims find that their own insurance does not adequately cover their accident-related medical bills. This may require exploring other options, like a claim with another insurance policy or a personal injury lawsuit.
You May Need to File a Claim with the At-Fault Driver’s Insurer
If you need to seek compensation from the at-fault party’s insurer (for vehicle repairs, medical costs, or other losses), this will add more complication to your claim. However, this may be necessary to secure the compensation you deserve.
You May Need to Sue the At-Fault Party
The severity of your injuries (and certain other factors) will determine whether you can sue an at-fault party for accident-related damages. A Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney from our team will explain your eligibility for filing a lawsuit, particularly if it makes sense for you to sue.
Consider Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
When you hire a personal injury lawyer from our team, you don’t have to worry about the differences between no-fault and at-fault car insurance. You don’t have to worry about any aspect of your claim or lawsuit, for that matter.
Our team will help you tremendously by:
- Identifying insurance policy details (including coverage limits): The details of your insurance policy and at-fault parties’ policies are critical. We will obtain and analyze copies of all relevant policies.
- Calculating the cost of your losses: Our team will calculate the exact cost of your accident-related losses to determine whether insurance will cover those losses. We will also secure proof of each loss, which may include medical bills, vehicle repair invoices, and other documentation.
- Making a personalized plan to secure the compensation you deserve: After we have analyzed insurance policies, calculated your losses, and weighed other relevant information, we will make a personalized plan to secure the compensation you deserve.
- Negotiating on your behalf: We will negotiate with the insurance companies for you, demanding all the compensation you are entitled to.
Our team will also handle any necessary lawsuit related to your car accident in Fort Lauderdale.
Call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato Today for Your Free Car Accident Consultation
Our experienced, client-focused car accident lawyers fight tirelessly for victims in Fort Lauderdale. Allow us to spare you from the stress of the claims process and demand the financial recovery you deserve.
Contact the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato today for a free consultation by calling (954) 633-8270.
