If you have been injured in a vehicle crash or another accident in Florida, you may be able to obtain compensation through personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. However, if your injury is serious enough, it won’t take long before you exhaust your PIP limit of $10,000. When your PIP coverage is exhausted, you can seek additional compensation from the at-fault party.
However, the at-fault party’s insurance company could claim that your injury is not serious enough in order to undervalue your personal injury claim or disqualify you from filing a lawsuit to recover damages.
If you were injured in an accident that was not caused by your negligence and you have exhausted your personal injury protection coverage, it is advised to consult with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney in Lakeland.
How Does PIP Coverage Work in Florida?
Since Florida is a no-fault state, every motorist is required to purchase personal injury protection coverage. If you have been injured in an auto accident in Lakeland or other parts of Florida, you must undergo a medical examination conducted by a qualified medical professional within 14 days of the accident, according to the Florida Statutes Section 627.736.
You can obtain benefits through the PIP coverage regardless of who was at fault. Personal injury protection coverage reimburses you for lost wages and medical expenses associated with the injury.
In Florida, PIP coverage covers up to 80% of your medical expenses and no more than 60% of your lost wages. The total limit is capped at $10,000. In the event of death, surviving family members are entitled to up to $5,000 in funeral expenses.
What to Do When You Exhaust Your PIP Coverage in Florida?
If your injury is serious and exceeds the limit of $10,000, you can exhaust your PIP insurance coverage within months, weeks, or even days. When you run out of benefits in your PIP coverage, your insurer will send you a letter informing you that you are no longer entitled to anything under Florida’s PIP law.
Just because you received a letter from your insurer informing you that your PIP coverage has been exhausted does not mean that your medical treatment will stop. After you have exhausted your PIP coverage, your health insurance will take over to continue paying for your losses up to the policy limits.
However, filing a personal injury lawsuit may be an option, too. It is advised to consult with a skilled attorney in Florida to discover your options and make sure that you receive the maximum compensation after exhausting your PIP coverage.
Seeking Additional Compensation After Exhausting PIP Coverage
Under the Florida Statutes Section 627.737, you can seek additional compensation after exhausting your PIP coverage by pursuing a claim against the at-fault party’s insurer. However, you are required to prove that you have exhausted your PIP coverage and that your injury is serious.
It is best to contact a skilled personal injury attorney in Florida when seeking additional compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company because insurers may attempt to undervalue or deny your claim.
Do not hesitate to contact a skilled Lakeland car accident lawyer to learn about your rights and pursue a claim against the negligent party’s insurer after you exhaust your PIP insurance benefits. Contact The Turnbull Firm to explore your options. Call at 863-324-3500.