Personal Injury Protection

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Benefits in Florida and the 14-day Rule.

The State of Florida mandates that every automobile insurance policy issued in the state contain Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. PIP coverage is medical benefits insurance that triggers when you are injured in an automobile accident, regardless of fault. PIP insurance covers medical expenses such as ambulance bills, emergency room charges, follow-up medical visits, lost wages, prescriptions, and transit to and from your appointments.

Clients often ask, “Why are we pursuing a claim through my insurance coverage when the other party is at fault?” The simple answer is that those injured in car accidents often require immediate medical attention, and they can’t afford to wait the days, weeks, and/or months it sometimes takes for the defendant’s insurance carrier to determine fault, accept liability, and disclose their insured’s insurance coverage before they receive medical treatment.

Furthermore, many Florida drivers are uninsured or underinsured, which means that they do not possess any coverage to pay for injuries caused by their negligence. According to the Insurance Information Institute, Florida ranks sixth in the nation in the percentage of uninsured motorists at 20.4 percent! In recognition of these issues, the Florida Legislature requires that every automobile insurance policy issued in the state provides no-fault PIP benefits so that those injured in car accidents may receive medical treatment as soon as their injuries arise.

Perhaps you were injured in a car accident, but your post-accident symptoms were not severe enough to warrant an ambulance or a trip to the hospital. Often the injuries sustained in an accident increase in severity or do not fully arise until several days after the accident. If you are feeling pain, discomfort, or any other medical symptoms related to the accident, it is imperative that you seek medical attention within fourteen (14) days of the collision. If you fail to seek medical attention within fourteen (14) days of the accident, then your insurance will deny your PIP benefits, and you will not receive this important medical coverage.

Most of our clients never experienced pain in their neck or back prior to an automobile accident, so they don’t know where to turn for post-accident medical attention. At Brubaker Injury Law, our primary goal is to ensure that victims of negligence receive the medical attention they deserve in order to recover their health. Our firm has relationships with medical providers throughout the State of Florida. We can help you find a conveniently located medical provider that will provide treatment through your PIP coverage. If you or someone you know has sustained injuries due to negligence, contact us today for a free, no-strings-attached consultation.