Florida is a “No-Fault” insurance state as it relates to automobile liability insurance so the likelihood you will ever see the inside of a courtroom after an accident in Naples, Florida is…well, it depends on the actual accident itself. It may sound a little confusing, so let’s take a step back and examine all the pieces.
What does Florida’s “No Fault” insurance actually mean? Under Florida law, every motorist is required to carry a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. A driver’s PIP coverage, as it is most commonly known, is basically there to cover medical bills and lost wages that you may suffer in an accident, no matter who was at fault in the accident. If you’re involved in a crash, each person turns to his or her own insurance company to pay the costs of medical care and other loses.
What a lot of drivers don’t realize is that under Florida’s No-Fault Statute, their PIP coverage by law only covers 80 percent of the medical bills incurred and only 60 percent of lost wages or income as a result of the accident. The PIP coverage is also subject to whatever deductible the policyholder has.
There are exceptions to this rule and those occur when someone suffers permanent injury as a result of the motorist who caused the accident. This includes permanent loss of a bodily function, permanent injury, significant scarring, disfigurement or even death. If you suffer any of the above, then you are not subject to the “No-Fault” limitations and can bring a claim not only for medical bills and lost wages, but also for pain and suffering. Also, if the injuries you suffer are not permanent, but the medical bills and loss of wages incurred exceed the $10,000 minimum, you can bring a claim to against what was not covered by the PIP insurance.
So next time you see an accident around Naples, or god forbid you are involved in one, now you know a little bit more of what’s involved. There is a lot to take into consideration when determining an accident case’s value and that’s why an experienced personal injury attorney can help guide through the entire process and ensure you get the most for your damages.
If you or someone you care about has been injured or involved in a car or truck accident, contact the Naples accident and personal injury attorneys at Weinstein & Cohen at 239-793-3331 or visit fairnessforall for an absolutely free and confidential legal consultation to learn more about your options.
