Personal injury protection, or PIP, is a form of car insurance that will cover a portion of medical bills and lost wages if you are involved in an accident. PIP coverage applies regardless of whether you were at fault for an accident. That is why it is sometimes known as “no-fault insurance.”
PIP is currently required in the state of Florida. Every vehicle driver or owner on the road is required to have $10,000 in PIP coverage as part of their auto insurance plan. A failure to have PIP coverage is grounds for license suspension and fines.
How Does PIP Work?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, your PIP coverage may pay a portion of your medical bills and lost wages regardless of who was at fault for the accident. PIP covers 80% of your medical bills and 60% of your lost wages up to the limit of your policy. Because no determination of fault is required, PIP payments are typically made fairly quickly.
In order to be entitled to PIP benefits, you must seek medical treatment for your injuries within 14 days of your accident. In addition, if you do not have an “emergency medical condition,” you can only receive $2,500 in benefits. An emergency medical condition is one that requires immediate medical attention and could reasonably be expected to result in serious jeopardy to a patient’s health.
PIP Coverage
Individuals covered by PIP typically include:
- The insured person whether they are involved in an accident while in a vehicle, riding a bicycle, or as a pedestrian
- Family members who live with the insured person
- Passengers in the insured person’s car who do not have their own PIP
Do I Need an Attorney for my PIP Claim?
PIP is supposed to protect you from the unexpected stress of medical bills and lost wages that result from a car accident. However, insurance companies are in the business of not paying out claims. If your insurance company is disputing your claim or not paying you your full benefits, you may need the help of an experienced PIP attorney.
Contact a PIP Attorney
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you should have your case evaluated by an experienced accident attorney. At Gregg F. Goldfarb, LLP, we can evaluate your case for free. Contact us online or call us at (305) 374-7000 to schedule a free consultation.