Car accidents can be traumatic, leaving victims with not only physical injuries but also significant financial burdens. Understanding who is responsible for covering your medical bills after a car accident is crucial for your recovery and peace of mind. Please continue reading and reach out to a dedicated Jacksonville car accident lawyer from Ansbacher Law to learn more.
What Role Does Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance Play?
Florida is a no-fault state, which means that your own insurance company is responsible for paying your medical bills, regardless of who caused the accident. This is where Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance comes into play. PIP insurance is mandatory in Florida, and it covers up to $10,000 of your medical expenses, lost wages, and other accident-related costs.
PIP insurance typically covers 80% of your medical bills and 60% of lost wages, up to the policy limit. For example, if your medical bills total $5,000, your PIP insurance would cover $4,000, leaving you responsible for the remaining $1,000. However, if your medical expenses exceed $10,000, you may need to seek additional compensation through other avenues.
Can I Seek Compensation from the At-Fault Driver?
While PIP insurance covers the initial medical expenses, it may not be sufficient for severe injuries or extensive treatments. In such cases, you have the right to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver. To do this, you must prove that the other driver was negligent and that their negligence directly caused the accident and your injuries.
Once you establish the at-fault driver’s liability, you can seek compensation for the remaining medical bills, as well as other damages such as pain and suffering, lost wages, and future medical expenses. It’s important to note that Florida follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning that your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault in the accident. For example, if you are found to be 10% at fault, your compensation will be reduced by 10%.
What Happens If the At-Fault Driver Is Uninsured or Underinsured?
Unfortunately, not all drivers comply with Florida’s insurance requirements, and some may be uninsured or underinsured. If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, recovering compensation for your medical bills can be challenging. However, there are still options available to you.
One option is to rely on your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, if you have it as part of your auto insurance policy. UM/UIM coverage is designed to protect you in situations where the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance to cover your damages. This coverage can help pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses.
If you do not have UM/UIM coverage, you may need to explore other sources of compensation, such as filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver personally. While this can be a lengthy and complicated process, it may be necessary to ensure you receive the compensation you need for your recovery.
If you have further questions or believe you have a valid claim, please don’t hesitate to contact Ansbacher Law today.
