The Pros And Cons Of Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance
If you were recently injured in a car accident in the state of Florida, you might contemplate filing a personal injury lawsuit. This process can be intimidating and tedious, especially if you are not well-versed on Florida personal injury law. Before you decide whether to file a personal injury lawsuit or hire an attorney, you should become familiar with some of the advantages and disadvantages of Florida’s personal injury protection (PIP) insurance.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance
In Florida, all drivers must acquire at least $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. The purpose of PIP insurance is to ensure that injured drivers readily receive funds for medical and other related expenses after they are injured in a car accident. Personal injury protection is a “no-fault” type of insurance, which means that insurance companies have to pay for any medical expenses resulting from a car accident, regardless of which party was at fault. As such, as long as an individual has PIP insurance, his medical expenses will be paid, even if he was at fault.
What is the benefit of PIP insurance?
One of the biggest advantages of PIP insurance is that it protects all insured parties in the event of an accident, regardless of which party was at fault. This benefit is likely very desirable for those individuals who want to avoid taking their claim to court, which could take months or even years to litigate. This protection could also provide peace of mind to injured drivers who might have otherwise worried about whether they would be compensated for their injuries.
What are some negative aspects of PIP insurance?
There are also notable disadvantages to PIP insurance. First, the limit of compensation for medical costs under PIP insurance is $10,000. This means that if you are injured and your medical expenses exceed $10,000, you will likely either have to pay out-of-pocket for the additional costs or attempt to file a personal injury lawsuit, which ultimately may not be successful.
Second, there are specific treatments and procedures that PIP insurance does not cover. In 2012, for example, PIP insurance stopped covering massage therapy and acupuncture treatments. Therefore, if an injured driver needs one of these treatments or another treatment not covered under PIP insurance, he will likely have to pay out-of-pocket for these treatments.
Lastly, the no-fault aspect of PIP insurance has significantly limited the ability of an injured party to sue a potentially liable party for pain and suffering damages. PIP insurance covers physical injuries. This means that if an injured party wants to sue another party for pain and suffering damages resulting from the accident, he will likely need to go to court to do so.
Do You Need A Personal Injury Attorney? Look No Further
If you need an experienced Miami personal injury attorney, Pita Weber Del Prado is here to help. Our firm has extensive experience in litigating personal injury claims and we are prepared to assist you throughout the process. Contact us today to discuss your legal options.
Source:
flhsmv.gov/insurance/
