Is FL a No-Fault State?

While there has recently been much debate regarding Florida’s car insurance laws, at this point, Florida remains a no-fault insurance state. Unfortunately, auto insurance companies aren’t always forthcoming with information when it comes to helping their insureds understand their coverages. After all, they are for-profit companies out to make money. Often, having informed customers doesn’t amount to making more money. At Matthews Personal Injury Law, you can count on our Florida car accident attorneys to not only explain your insurance coverage to you but also uphold your rights—even if that means taking your claim to court.

What is No-Fault Insurance?

Under Florida law, Florida is a no-fault insurance state. As such, all drivers must have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage on their auto insurance policy. PIP pays at least $10,000 in medical and other related expenses for the insured driver, no matter who is to blame for the accident.

PIP covers:

• 80 percent of medical bills for injuries suffered in a car accident
• 80 percent of prescription medication necessary due to the accident
• 60 percent of lost or reduced income due to recovering from injuries or going to medical appointments
• Travel to and from any medical facility
• A $5,000 death benefit to the decedent’s beneficiaries

No-fault insurance coverage is only in a handful of states. It was enacted to help decrease the costs of ensuring your car and decrease the congestion in courts.

How Does Compensation Work in Florida?

In some ways, PIP is beneficial as injured victims can begin receiving payments and medical care right away from their own insurance companies without having to file a claim and determine fault with the other driver’s insurance company. However, it also prevents injured victims from seeking compensation from the other party unless their injuries are considered to be significant.

Significant injuries are those that involve:

• Impairment of a bodily function
• A likely chance that it will be permanent, according to medical experts
• Disfigurement or permanent scars.
• Death

Injuries such as an amputation, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or spinal cord injury (SCI) would fall into this category. If your injuries are significant, it’s essential to hire an experienced Florida car accident lawyer who can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

Get Help from an Experienced Florida Car Accident Attorney

Just because Florida is a no-fault state doesn’t mean that you can’t or shouldn’t consult with a Florida car accident lawyer after a motor vehicle collision. In fact, it’s in your best interest to do so. An attorney can help you file claims with your own insurance company and ensure they are upholding their contract with you. They can help determine if you have significant injuries that warrant filing a claim on the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. If so, they can represent you in pursuing such a claim.

At Matthews Personal Injury Law, we know how devastating and confusing a car accident can be. We also know that car accidents often put innocent victims in financial binds. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation to learn more about our services.