Under Florida’s personal injury statutes pertaining to automobile accidents, every driver is required to carry a personal injury protection policy. These policies must cover up to $10,000 in damages resulting from a car accident, no matter who is at fault.
One of the benefits of this law is that you know your healthcare is covered, even if you were completely at fault. The no-fault law also helps keep courts clear of all but serious cases. However, required PIP has a lot of controversy surrounding it.
Rising costs
One of the biggest complaints about PIP is that it is more expensive. It makes auto insurance costs rise, when most people also have health insurance that would cover medical expenses from an accident.
Concerns about fraud
In Florida, a serious concern about PIP is that of fraudulent auto claims. Some drivers cause an auto accident, claim injuries and conspire to receive money from the PIP insurance. Many auto accidents are not fully investigated because of PIP.
Higher claims
PIP coverage also has a limit. If you have injuries that cost more than $10,000, you might be wondering if you have any redress. The option is to file a personal injury lawsuit. Under the Florida statutes, you can do so provided the injuries are serious, as per these definitions:
- Death
- Significant permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Permanent injury
- Permanent loss of an important body function or part
You should also consider that Florida gets many tourists from other states which do not require PIP. It may be more difficult to get the compensation you need to take care of your damages and injuries in that case.
If you have been seriously injured in a car accident, the required PIP policy might not match the cost of your medical care. In that case, a personal injury lawsuit may be the best way to get the compensation you need to cover your expenses.