What is PIP Insurance

Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, also known as no-fault insurance, provides coverage for you — and those insured on your policy — for medical expenses and other damages resulting from a motor vehicle accident regardless of who is at fault. Some states like Florida require PIP insured. However, other states like Georgia do not require PIP coverage.

Is PIP Insurance Required?

PIP insurance requirements vary by state. Depending on the state where you live, PIP insurance may be a required add-on or it may not be available at all. For instance, Florida is a no-fault car accident state. As a no-fault state, Florida law guarantees that any person involved in a car accident can receive personal injury protection and requires that every car registered in the state carry a minimum of $10,000 in coverage. As a policyholder, you can choose whether you want your insurance to cover you or your whole household. Georgia, however, is an at-fault state, and as a result, PIP insurance is not required for drivers in this state.

What Does PIP Insurance Cover?

PIP insurance provides up to $10,000 in funds for policyholders in Florida. While these funds can help cover the cost of prescriptions, surgical treatments, and ambulance fees, they can also refund your lost wages, home care, pet care, or funeral costs. This sum can account for up to 80% of medical costs and 60% of your lost wages. This means if your medical bills total $8,000, your PIP coverage will provide $6,000 toward your recovery.

How to File a PIP Claim

[FAQpage schema: Answer]You need to get started on your claim as soon as possible. Follow these steps to file a PIP claim after getting in touch with a personal injury protection lawyer: Report the collision by contacting your insurance company. While on the phone with your insurance company, make sure your plan includes PIP coverage. Ask the insurance representative to provide you with your claim number and the claim office's contact information. Contact the claims office and talk to the insurance adjuster for your case. Request that the adjustor provides you with a PIP application as soon as possible. Additionally, ask for a salary verification form and a physician’s report. Fill out your PIP application as soon as possible. Request that your physician fills out the Attending Physicians Report. Then request that your employer fill out the Salary Verification Form. You’ll only need to do this step if you missed work as a result of your injury. Return both the Attending Physicians Report and Salary Verification Form to your adjustor. Provide your health care providers with your claim number, adjuster name, and claim office contact information. Authorize your healthcare providers to bill your PIP directly.

Why you need to act fast after an accident

After the confusion of a car accident, you may be struggling to deal with the aftermath. On top of handling medical problems and insurance companies, you could find yourself knee-deep in paperwork and unpaid household bills. If you have recently been in an accident, learn more about the immediate steps you need to take.

The law can help you recoup some of your losses, but while you wait for the insurance company to evaluate your case, you may be on the hook for lost time and money and could face unexpected delays as parties argue liability.

The first thing you need to do after an accident is to get immediate medical attention. A medical professional will be able to assess you for injuries. Many people are not aware of their injuries until hours or days after their accident. Getting proper medical attention verifies the extent of your condition, and helps build your case.

In Florida, you have 14 days to seek medical attention and document your injuries. After that window, your insurance company will not cover your injuries or damages under PIP benefits. Having a medical professional evaluate your injuries will help you have peace of mind and a record of any trauma incurred during your accident.

Contact your insurance company and file any claims as soon as you can. Doing this helps ensure that your claim gets addressed as speedily as possible. They will be able to react quickly with proper and accurate documentation.

After you have done that, contact a Florida car accident attorney. Because they have experience in these claims, a car accident attorney will be able to help you build a robust case. They can expedite securing witness testimonials, crash scene documentation, and other types of persuading evidence.

Contact Farah & Farah immediately for a free consultation about your car accident!

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How Soon Should You Report A Car Accident?

Reporting your car accident immediately is your best bet for swift justice. Florida law requires you to report an accident to the police or to highway patrol under certain circumstances including:

If your accident results in death or if an injury occurs
If your accident was a hit and run
If the accident was caused by an intoxicated or impaired driver
If there was property damage valued at $500 or more

In the state of Florida, you or your legal representative must file your car crash report with the DMV within 10 days of the accident. An exception to this rule would be if an officer is called to the scene of the crash. Typically when dispatched to a crash site, an officer will write a report.

This report is registered automatically with the DMV. In the event that your accident was not required to be reported by state laws, it’s still important to file a report if you intend to pursue any sort of insurance or legal claim. Acting fast after an accident helps protect you and helps your accident attorney strengthen your case.

It’s for your protection and for the protection of anyone else who was involved in your car accident to report the crash as soon as possible. Any witnesses to the crash may forget the details of the incident. The last thing you want a witness to the crash to say to an insurer or a jury is, “I don’t remember, it’s been so long.” Evidence from the crash will begin to disappear as soon as you leave the scene. If your crash was caused by poor roadway conditions or signage, you can be certain this will be fixed rather quickly (this is another reason it is important to document everything with a camera at the scene). All of this is important for supporting your car accident case. An attorney will be able to collect evidence and document witness testimony while it’s still fresh in their mind.

Working With A Firm That Works Fast For You

After an accident, you might feel like your whole life is upside down. In addition to recovering from your injuries, you may be dealing with significant financial stress. The sooner you contact a Florida car accident attorney, the better your results will be.

Trust your case to professionals who understand the complicated ins-and-outs of Florida car accident claims. At Farah and Farah, we have the experience and know-how necessary to handle your case. Hire the law firm that will work fast and fight for you.

Call today for a free evaluation.