Who Pays for Your Medical Bills After a Car Accident You Did Not Cause in Florida?

After an accident, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) car insurance policy will cover up 80% of your medical bills and 60% of your lost wages up to $10,000. According to Florida’s No-Fault auto insurance laws, all drivers are required to have a minimum of $10,000 of PIP coverage to register and operate their vehicle on the road.

The remaining balance of medical bills may be covered by other sources, dependant on additional insurance coverage you have, your medical insurance coverage, and the coverage of the driver who was responsible for the accident.

After a car or truck accident, you may be in pain an overwhelmed by the legal process. We can help you navigate the legal process. Contact Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers today at 855-529-0269 for a free case evaluation.

Understanding Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Laws

Florida is a No-Fault state regarding auto accidents. This means all drivers are required to carry their own insurance to cover their medical bills in the case of an accident.

Benefits of Florida’s No-Fault Laws

This structure eliminates the need to prove liability for most car accidents. Whether the accident was your or another driver’s fault, your PIP insurance coverage will pay 80% of your medical bills up to $10,000.

However, several other laws can impact who is at fault for your medical bills following a car or vehicle accident you did not cause in Florida, including:

• If you have significant injuries
• If you have permanent injuries
• If the accident causes the death of another person
• If your medical bills exceed $10,000

A personal injury lawyer can help you understand how these laws may apply to your case. Contact Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers at 855-529-0269 a free case evaluation.

Other Avenues for Pursuing Compensation for Your Medical Bills After an Accident

In addition to your own PIP insurance coverage, there are several other ways you may be able to recover compensation for medical bills and other damages you incur in a car accident. Other avenues may include:

Additional Insurance Policies You Carry

While all drivers are required to carry a minimum of $10,000 worth of PIP coverage, you may have elected to add-on additional coverage. Your policy may have a higher cap, or you may have under or uninsured motorist coverage. These policies may pay for your medical bills over the $10,000 cap.

The Other Driver’s Insurance Company

In some cases, the other party’s insurance may be required to pay for your medical expenses and other damages. In most cases, you will need to prove liability and file a claim. You may also be able to recover additional damages, including lost wages and pain and suffering.

A Florida personal injury lawyer can help you understand your legal options after a car accident.

The Other Driver’s Employer

If the other driver was working at the time of the accident, you may be able to hold their employer responsible for negligence. For example, if a company pushed a commercial driver to work longer than federally permitted or failed to train their driver, they could be held liable for your medical bills and other damages after a car accident you did not cause.

Other Third Parties

Depending on the details of your case, another third party may be held liable for your medical bills. For example, a manufacturer may be held liable if you sustain injuries due to a tire blow out and the company knowingly allowed the defective tire to remain on the market.

You Have a Limited Time to Sue the Other Party for Your Medical Bills and Other Damages

The insurance companies have their own deadlines for filing a claim. These are usually outlined in the policy, and missing them could affect your ability to get compensation. However, if you want to go beyond the insurance process and file a lawsuit, Florida law sets its own time limits.

According to Florida Statutes § 95.11, you typically have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. If your claim is against a government agency, the deadline is even shorter, and you must follow special procedures to give notice before suing. To find out exactly how much time you have to take legal action, call a car accident lawyer who will review the details of your case.

No matter who you’re filing against, don’t wait. If you miss the statute of limitations, you could lose your chance to recover any compensation at all. Acting quickly helps protect your case and gives your legal team the best chance to build a strong claim. The sooner you get legal help, the more time your lawyer has to work on your case and show the full extent of your injuries.

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Florida Today

A car accident can be traumatic, but the aftermath can be frustrating as you try to navigate the legal process. You may be worried about who will pay for your medical bills and how to recover compensation for injuries that are not your fault.

If you sustained injuries in an accident and are worried you may be on the hook for medical bills, a personal injury lawyer can help. You should not have to suffer because of an accident that was not your fault.

The team at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers has the experience and the legal understanding to help you pursue compensation for your injuries. Reach out to our legal team today at 855-529-0269. We offer a free case evaluation to help you understand your legal rights.