West Palm Beach PIP Lawyer
Most people will be involved in a car accident at some point in their lives. It is for this reason it is so important that everyone familiarize themselves with the personal injury protection (PIP) laws in Florida. Below, our West Palm Beach PIP lawyers explain the law so you can understand your rights and responsibilities after a crash.
What is PIP Coverage?
If you are hurt in a car accident, you can turn to your own PIP benefits provided by your insurer to recover compensation for your losses. PIP is a no-fault system in Florida, which means you can obtain benefits even if you caused or contributed to the crash. The law requires PIP benefits to provide coverage in the following amounts:
- 80 percent of medical costs, up to a maximum of $10,000
- 60 percent of lost wages, up to a maximum of $10,000
- $5,000 in death benefits, which are in addition to disability and medical benefits
- Reimbursements for mileage to and from doctors’ appointments
The above benefits are subject to deductibles. For example, if there was a $1,000 deductible on your policy, you will have to pay that amount before you can receive benefits.
Who Does PIP Cover?
Most people know that PIP benefits will cover the person named within the policy, but others may have access to these benefits, as well. These individuals include:
- Relatives who live with the insured, but only if they do not own their own car
- People operating the car without consent from the owner
- Injured passengers in the same motor vehicle as the person named in the policy
- Other people who are struck by a car and sustain bodily injury, such as bicyclists or pedestrians
Filing a Lawsuit After Collecting PIP Benefits
One of the intentions of Florida’s no-fault laws is to prevent the backlog in the courts that car accident cases can cause. As such, most accident victims cannot file a lawsuit against a negligent individual and collect PIP benefits. However, these benefits are quite limited and they may not fully cover the cost of injury. If your injuries reach a certain threshold, you can file a lawsuit against the negligent party to recover full compensation for your losses. To meet the serious injury threshold and therefore qualify to file a lawsuit, you or someone you love must have suffered one of the following:
- Permanent and significant loss of an important bodily function
- Permanent injury
- Permanent and significant scarring and/or disfigurement
- Death
Our PIP Lawyers in West Palm Beach Can Help You Claim the Full Damages You Deserve
At Shuster Saben Estevez, our West Palm Beach PIP lawyer can help you claim the full PIP benefits you need, and if necessary, assist with any lawsuit you file. Our seasoned attorneys know how to collect the important evidence to prove your injuries and claim the full benefits you deserve. Call us today at 877-511-7829 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to obtain the sound legal advice you need.
