If you or a loved one has been in a car accident, then you will be familiar with the term “no-fault state”.
If you live in Florida, which is where we operate, you are in a no-fault state.
Being a no-fault state basically means that you can get immediate medical treatment after a car accident. You will be turning to your PIP coverage for initial treatment for injuries that need immediate attention.
Why is being a no fault state significant, especially after a car accident? And what does it mean for people that want to get treatment and financial compensation for their damages?
Florida is a No Fault State
Florida is recognized as a no fault state.
This means that you can get immediate coverage for certain damages from your insurance policy so that you can move on quickly.
The benefit of being in a no fault state is that you can turn to your insurance for medical treatment but up to a certain financial limit.
In the state of Florida, it is required for all drivers to at least have personal injury protection, aka PIP. The PIP limits depend from state to state, but in Florida, the PIP limit is $10,000. Anything beyond the $10,000 limit for PIP will not be covered. So if your damages exceed $10,000, then the next step is to file a lawsuit.
What does PIP cover?
PIP will cover your medical treatment and your lost wages, to a certain extent.
Like stated previously, PIP will only cover up to the limit, which is normally $10,000.
PIP can also cover other costs, such as child care. If the car accident has left you so debilitated that you can’t even take care of your child properly, then PIP will also be able to take care of that.
However, if your damages are seemingly permanent, too painful, or outright too expensive in the long term because of the severity, then filing suit is the better option.
When should I file suit for my injuries?
Filing a suit is actually a complicated process, and unless seriously injured, the process of getting your financial compensation through filing suit is actually not recommended.
Filing a suit on your case is all dependent on the individual. Severe injuries like broken bones, multiple fractured body parts, and permanent organ damage are all reasons to file suit.
Remember that although PIP can cover for damages, it is only up to a certain limit.
It is always a blessing and gives certain peace of mind knowing that you can immediately get treated for injuries after a car accident. In states with policies that depend on fault to get treatment, until a party is determined to be at fault, getting immediate medical treatment is difficult.
However, if you are in Florida, specifically Miami, and you feel like your medical bills and injuries will be too much, filing suit is probably the next step.
Filing a Suit with a Personal Injury Lawyer in Miami
Filing a lawsuit can get complicated and easily become a long and tedious process. In the end though, if your medical bills and treatment looks like it will cost an arm and a leg (sometimes literally) contact a personal injury lawyer in Miami from Accident Lawyers MIA for legal guidance on what to do for the next steps.
We start with free consultation and keep it cost-free until we win you the case.
Once we hear you out and determine how we can help you, our team will immediately get to work and start gathering evidence such as photos and medical bills to build you a strong case.
Remember, we don’t win until YOU win.
