Florida is considered a “no-fault” state for car accidents, which means up tothe first $10,000 of your medical bills are paid by your own insurance policy rather than from the at-fault driver. But what other types of compensation can you secure?
Your Florida truck accident lawyer can review your insurance policy and help you understand what types of compensation you may be eligible to receive.
Types of Motor Vehicle Accident Insurance Coverage in Florida
The compensation you can expect after a truck accident depends on your personal insurance coverage. The following are common types of coverage in Florida:
PIP Benefits
Florida drivers must carry at least $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. Therefore, you’ll likely have some PIP insurance benefits through which you can seek compensation after your car accident.
PIP benefits typically cover the direct economic expenses you incurred from the accident, such as your medical bills and the wages you lost while missing work during your recovery. If your loved one passed away in the accident, you may also be eligible for up to a $5,000 death benefit from your PIP policy.
Your Florida motor vehicle accident lawyer can explain how much compensation you should expect from your PIP benefits.
Medical Expense Coverage Benefits
If you carry separate medical expenses insurance coverage, you can cover medical costs outside your PIP benefit through this policy.
For example, let’s say you only carry the minimum PIP insurance of $10,000, but your medical expenses are upwards of $50,000. You can claim the first $10,000 through your PIP insurance, then use your medical expense policy to cover the excess up to your policy limits.
Medical expense coverage can pay for expenses like:
- Hospital stays
- Ambulance rides
- Surgery
- X-rays
Property Damage Coverage Benefits
Your car likely suffered damage in the accident, but your PIP policy won’t pay to repair this damage. Instead, you’ll need separate property damage coverage on your insurance policy.
Property damage coverage will be paid to repair your vehicle and any other physical damage you incurred from the accident.
For example, this policy would typically cover the loss of high-value contents inside your vehicle, such as a laptop or an expensive purse. Your coverage limits will determine the amount you can secure through a property damage policy.
Bodily Injury Coverage Benefits
Finally, the at-fault truck may have bodily injury insurance coverage that can pay for certain damages not covered by your PIP and medical expenses coverage. Bodily injury insurance covers your past and future medical expenses. It can also pay for non-economic expenses, such as pain and suffering, loss of companionship, or emotional distress.
Florida’s Serious Injury Threshold for Compensation
If your car or truck accident was severe and another party was at fault, you may be able to hold that party liable for your injuries and other expenses above and beyond your own PIP insurance coverage. Florida has a “serious injury” threshold that your case must meet for you to hold the at-fault driver liable for your damages above your out of pocket medical expenses. If the driver was driving a commercial truck, then the driver, the trucking company, or possibly the truck manufacturer may be held liable for damages.
Your injury lawyer for vehicle accidents in Florida can explain this threshold and determine whether it applies to your accident.
Consult an Experienced Florida Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer
If you need legal help for truck or auto collisions in Florida, Warner & Fitzmartin has your back. Contact us today at 561-739-4425 to schedule your consultation.