Car insurance in Florida can be complicated. While you probably understand things like collision coverage and liability coverage, which pay for your own crash-related property damage and damage you cause to others, some other kinds of coverage are more confusing.
That’s especially true for PIP coverage, or personal injury protection coverage.
PIP coverage is an important type of insurance in Florida that drivers are required to buy. This requirement affects many aspects of your rights after an auto accident, so it’s a good idea to reach out to Diaco Law to get help understanding how your PIP coverage works if you are in a crash.
You can also read on to learn the details of what PIP coverage is and why it matters to you.
What is PIP coverage?
PIP coverage is required in a small number of states in the U.S., including Florida. States where PIP coverage is required are called no-fault states, as opposed to fault states.
In fault states, car accident claims are always made based on who is responsible for causing the losses to occur. If you are in a crash in a fault state, even if your injuries are very minor, you can still take legal action and pursue a claim for compensation against the driver whose actions caused the accident.
In no-fault states like Florida, though, you are not allowed to do that. In Florida and other no-fault states, you are restricted to getting compensation from your own PIP coverage after a minor accident, even if another driver was 100% responsible for causing the crash.
How does PIP coverage work?
PIP provides coverage for:
- Medical costs that you have to pay due to the accident. Your PIP policy will pay for up to 80% of the healthcare expenses you incur.
- Lost wages if your accident and injuries cause you to miss work. The policy will cover up to 60% of lost wages
There is a $10,000 limit or cap on coverage, so you cannot collect more than that after suffering injuries. If the collision is a fatal one, then PIP coverage pays out $5,000.
You’ll need to alert your insurer about the accident to get this compensation. If there is a problem or a dispute over coverage, you should talk with an auto accident lawyer.
What if your losses are more serious?
Sometimes, when you are in an accident, your losses far exceed $10,000 because the injuries you suffer are very serious or because you experience tremendous loss when your loved one dies in a collision.
When your injuries rise to a certain level of severity, it is possible to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver rather than being limited only to recovering the damage that your PIP policy covers. You should be compensated for:
- Past and future medical costs
- Wages already lost and that you can’t earn in the future
- Pain and suffering resulting from the accident
- Emotional distress caused by the accident
When you are taking legal action to make the other driver pay, things become more complicated as you’ll need to negotiate a fair settlement with their insurer or file a civil lawsuit to get justice.
Diaco Law can help you in these and other situations after a crash. Whether you need a legal advocate to make your own insurer pay you fairly under a PIP claim or an auto accident lawyer who can make another driver pay for damages they caused you to endure, our Tampa auto accident attorneys are here to help. Give us a call at (813) 221-7978 today to learn more, or contact us online for a free case consultation.