Those who have a no-fault insurance policy are covered for injury regardless of whether or not they caused the accident. These policies can be helpful but are not without their problems.
The Basics of No-Fault Insurance
No-fault insurance is mandatory for all drivers in Florida under FL § 627.736. No-fault insurance is also known as personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, and these policies generally cover a few things:
- The cost of care for injuries you sustain in an accident
- The cost of care for injuries that any of your passengers sustain in an accident
- 60% of the lost income of you or your passengers
- Death benefits up to $5,000
The minimum amount of no-fault coverage that all insured drivers in Florida must carry is $10,000. While funds to cover certain expenses can be helpful, oftentimes no-fault insurance is not enough to cover all of your expenses in the wake of a serious accident.
The Pitfalls of No-Fault Insurance
If you have been injured in a car accident, your no-fault insurance policy will cover your expenses, but for those who elect for only minimum coverage, the amount that insurance will pay is capped at $10,000. Aside from the cap on the amount your no-fault insurance policy may pay, you should know what no-fault insurance does not cover. A lawyer can help you understand what your policy does and does not cover.
If your medical bills and other expenses exceed the amount that your no-fault insurance policy pays, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit to obtain the compensation that you need.
Find a Personal Injury Lawyer, Near Me
(855) 529-0269Call a Lawyer When No-Fault Insurance Falls Short
No-fault insurance is an essential lifeline for responsible, insured drivers. However, for those who are injured and suffer other losses because of somebody else who caused their accident, victims may wonder why their insurance does not foot the bill.
This question becomes even more pressing when your no-fault insurance policy does not cover all of your expenses. Lower back and neck pain are injuries that can result from car accidents. One person’s back problems alone could cost them thousands of dollars.
You may find yourself facing the lingering effects of crash-related injuries, such as:
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord trauma
- Traumatic brain injury
- Broken bones
- Damage to internal organs
If your no-fault insurance policy is not enough to cover your losses (medical or otherwise) call a lawyer as soon as possible.
A Lawyer Will Handle a Variety of Responsibilities for You
A lawyer will begin serving you by answering any questions or concerns that you have. From there, they may ask you about expenses that you have sustained from the accident. These may include:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Property damage, including harm to your vehicle
- Pain and suffering
These losses will allow your lawyer to move forward in forming your case for awards. They will then proceed by:
- Filing the necessary paperwork for your case to enter the legal system
- Collecting and organizing evidence that shows you were the victim of negligence.
Exploring any available settlement offers.
- Dispatching any experts whose testimony could help your case
- Defending your rights from your initial consultation through the completion of your lawsuit
- Representing your interests in court, if necessary
A lawyer can provide these and other tangible services, but they can also provide great peace of mind that you may be on your way to collecting awards while you recover from your injuries.
Possible Compensation From a Car Accident Lawsuit
If your case results in awards, you may receive financial relief for some or all of your losses. This may include coverage for:
- Past medical bills
- Impending and future medical bills
- Wages that you lost the day of the accident, as well as any income you have lost since the accident
- Any diminished earning power caused by your injury
- Any personal or professional pursuits quashed by your injury
- Rehabilitation for your injury
- Mental anguish or other forms of trauma
Do not attempt to secure these or any other awards to which you may be entitled on your own—call a lawyer today.
Call Our Team at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers Today
Our partners work directly with clients. We aim to treat our clients like family. Call our team at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers today at (855) 529-0269 for a free consultation.
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