Automobile Crash

Being involved in a car accident is frightening and painful and almost certainly results in damages to those involved. When it comes to medical bills, Florida, unlike Maine, is a “no fault” state. This means your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance of your own insurance policy covers the first ten thousand dollars ($10,000) of your medical expenses despite who is at fault in an accident. It is additionally mandatory that an injured person receive medical treatment within two weeks of the accident in order to make a PIP claim. In an accident where you are not at fault, the liable party is responsible for your medical bills not covered by your own PIP. Likewise, the at-fault party is liable for property damages to your vehicle as well as any pain and suffering. Other compensable damages include permanent impairment to the body, loss of enjoyment of life and lost wages that occur or a result of the negligent operator’s conduct.

Most automobile insurance policies include coverages for:

• Bodily injury liability: injuries sustained by someone else when you are at fault;
• PIP: injuries under $10,000 for you and passengers in your own vehicle regardless of fault;
• Property damage liability: damages to someone else’s vehicle when you are at fault;
• Collision: damage to your own vehicle when you are at fault;
• Comprehensive: damages when no one is at fault;
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: medical bills when not at fault and the other driver does not have enough insurance or in the case of a hit and run.

Some insurance companies will tell their insured, or the claimant under their insured’s policy, that they are not entitled to compensation for certain injuries, property damage or lost wages or even incorrectly assign fault to the not-at-fault party in order to avoid payment. Sometimes, even if you are covered, the insurance company may still limit the payout to you. Our firm can ensure you receive all benefits for not only your property damage and medical bills but also any applicable pain and suffering. When making a claim or filing a law suit against an at-fault party or even your own insurance company (for PIP or comprehensive claims) it is important to have an attorney who will fight the big insurance companies and who understands the coverage available under your policy. Hiring an attorney to help navigate your claim and insurance policy is a must.