Why Florida’s No-Fault Insurance System Doesn’t Always Cover Your Injuries

You might assume that your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage will fully cover your medical expenses and lost wages following a traffic incident. But while Florida’s no-fault insurance system is an accessible avenue for financial relief, it can also have significant limitations. Talk to a Boca Raton personal injury lawyer if you are struggling to get your financial and medical needs covered

 The Limits of PIP Coverage

Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system, meaning that regardless of who caused the accident, each driver’s own PIP insurance is responsible for covering their medical expenses and lost wages. Under Florida law, drivers are required to carry at least $10,000 in PIP coverage, but this may not be enough for serious injuries.

While PIP insurance provides immediate access to medical care and wage replacement benefits, it comes with several restrictions:

• Limited amount of coverage. PIP covers only up to $10,000 in medical expenses and lost wages. There are also categories of coverage, so if your injuries are not considered an emergency medical condition, your benefits may be capped at just $2,500.
• Medical bills exceed limits. Severe injuries such as fractures, spinal damage, or traumatic brain injuries often result in medical bills far exceeding the $10,000 coverage limit.
• Partial wage replacement. PIP will cover up to 60% of lost wages in most cases, which may not be enough to support you and your family. This could be particularly true if your injuries prevent you from working for an extended period.
• Exclusions for pain and suffering. Unlike traditional personal injury claims, PIP does not cover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, or diminished quality of life.

If your damages exceed PIP coverage, you may need to explore additional options to recover compensation. For instance, if your injuries meet Florida’s serious injury threshold, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim against the driver responsible for the accident. In other situations, an injured individual’s private health insurance may cover some of the medical expenses once PIP benefits are exhausted.

Have Your Claim Reviewed by an Injury Lawyer

Pursuing recovery funds through Florida’s no-fault insurance system and other resources is not always easy, especially if your injuries are incurring high costs. Thankfully, experienced legal professionals are available to guide you through the process.

When you share the details of your claim with a Boca Raton personal injury lawyer, they will evaluate your case to determine if you meet the serious injury threshold. Negotiation with an insurance adjuster to maximize your PIP benefits and reviewing possible ways to pursue additional compensation beyond PIP is possible as well.

Being hurt in a Florida car accident is stressful enough, don’t just assume PIP will be enough or blindly agree to settlement terms you do not understand. Lean on the expertise of a professional.

Were you hoping to be made whole by your PIP coverage but no longer think that is possible? After an accident Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach, or Pompano Beach, share your bills and expenses with the attorneys at Leifer & Ramirez. Call 561-660-9421 today.