If you are injured in an auto accident in Florida you now have less money to pay for your medical expenses
The Florida Legislature and Governor Scott have now taken away insurance money which you may need to pay for your medical expenses if you are hurt in a car accident. Florida law requires coverage for PIP (Personal Injury Protection), commonly referred to as “No Fault insurance.” Prior to the new law, if you were hurt in an auto accident, it did not matter who caused the accident, you were entitled to have up to $10,000 of your medical needs paid for by your own insurance. While this is not a huge sum, it made a big difference for many injured people who otherwise could not pay for treatment.
The new law, allegedly to curtail fraud, takes away this minimal amount of money unless you seek medical treatment within two weeks of the accident. Keep in mind that PIP has never been sufficient to pay for major medical treatments such as surgery or lengthy hospital stays – it is only $10,000. Under the new law, if you do not seek medical treatment for injury related to the accident within 14 days, you lose the benefit completely. Further, even if you do seek treatment, you are limited to $2,500 unless a medical provider “certifies” that you need “Emergency Medical Treatment.” Doctors are already lining up to assist injured people, for a fee, in certifying them under the law so they can get the full benefit. It looks like the Governor has helped to create a whole new “fraud” bag of tricks – and ultimately – we all pay for it. Less medical insurance means more injured people will be seen for free at clinics and at hospitals.
The key to keeping the benefits you paid for under MANDATORY PIP is to seek medical treatment for your injuries immediately. Make sure that the medical provider certifies you as requiring further emergency services, if you need further medical assistance, so that you are not cut off at $2,500.
If you find yourself in such a position it is best to consult an attorney with substantial experience. There are so many different circumstances that a proper answer to your particular problem can only be obtained by a trained and experienced lawyer.
If you have any question regarding this or any other legal matter our firm may be able to help you. Please contact Jupiter Legal Advocates at (561) 748-8000 or email us at [email protected] for further information and assistance. We try our very best to respond immediately.
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