After you have been injured in a car accident in Coral Gables, it is critically important that you receive prompt medical treatment and observation and a thorough diagnosis.
In fact, Florida law requires you to seek medical care within 14 days of the injury-causing incident, or else you will likely be unable to claim your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits (F.S. § 627.736 (a)).
Compensation for Medical Bills
Car accident injuries are very serious, and they should be treated right away. Even if you aren’t in pain, you should get a full diagnosis as soon as possible.
You want to give yourself the best chances of a full recovery, but you also want to give yourself the opportunity to recover your financial losses following a collision in Coral Gables.
If you have suffered a serious injury after being involved in a collision by someone else’s negligence, a Coral Gables car accident lawyer can help you seek compensation from all at-fault parties.
How Does Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance Work After a Coral Gables Accident?
Every vehicle owner in Florida is required by law to carry PIP coverage. A PIP policy provides “no-fault” coverage if you are in an accident. Your insurance pays for the costs of your medical bills and lost wages, up to the $10,000 policy limit. A Florida PIP policy covers:
- 80% of hospital and medical treatment expenses for a “medical emergency”
- Up to $2,500 in medical costs if it is a “non-emergency”
- 60% of lost wages
If you do not have a PIP policy, you may have access to another policy, depending on the nature of the incident that caused your injuries. You may be able to claim PIP from the following sources:
- Another member of your household
- The owner of the vehicle you were operating at the time of the incident
- If you were injured as a passenger, the driver of the vehicle you were in at the time
- Another driver involved in your accident, especially if you were hit as a pedestrian or while riding a bicycle
Seek Prompt Medical Treatment After an Accident
No matter the circumstances of your accident, seek medical treatment within the next 48 hours. Even if you don’t feel hurt, you could have hidden injuries that get worse with time.
If you are visibly hurt or in pain, it is recommended that you visit a nearby emergency department (ER) within the next 24 hours. If you don’t think you are hurt, you should still receive a comprehensive medical exam at an urgent care clinic or your primary care physician’s office.
Filing a Third-Party Liability Insurance Claim After a Serious Injury in Coral Gables
You may have noticed that PIP doesn’t cover much, leaving you on the hook for medical bills and lost wages. If you are seriously injured and have substantial losses resulting from your accident, you may wonder what other sources of compensation are available.
In Florida, you can file a third-party Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) claim against any at-fault parties involved in your collision, provided you have a qualifying “serious injury.” Working with an experienced Coral Gables car accident lawyer can allow you to identify all sources of third-party compensation.
Filing a liability insurance claim in Florida can be difficult, especially if you aren’t prepared to make the minimum provings. You must be able to prove:
- You have a “serious injury” as defined in S. § 627.737 (2)
- Your accident was caused by the policyholder’s negligence or wrongful behavior
- You sustained losses as a direct result of the policyholder’s negligence or wrongful acts
If you can file a third-party BIL claim after your Coral Gables accident, you will have access to much more insurance coverage than what is offered by PIP.
This coverage may also be available even in the event that you missed the 14-day treatment window, although this depends on the language of the policy and other details.
Work with a Coral Gables Car Accident Lawyer to Find Options for Repaying Your Medical Bills
Review your case with the assistance of a car accident attorney in Coral Gables to learn more about your legal rights and your options for obtaining compensation. Steinger, Greene & Feiner is here to act as your advisor and legal advocate.
We are ready and waiting to serve you in your time of need. Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation now when you call or contact us online.
Free Case Evaluation
About the Author
Michael Steinger
MICHAEL S. STEINGER, founding partner of Steinger, Greene & Feiner, believes in representing real people, not big businesses. Since the firm’s creation in 1997, Steinger, Greene & Feiner has never represented an insurance company or large corporation, and he vows to keep this promise. Over the course of his career, Michael has handled thousands of Florida accident cases, recovering millions of dollars for his clients and earning him membership into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Staying up-to-date on the ever-evolving laws protecting injury victims and their families, Michael is an active member of the American Bar Association, the Palm Beach, and St. Lucie Bar Associations, and sits on the Auto Insurance Committee of the Florida Justice Association.
Michael Steinger
MICHAEL S. STEINGER, founding partner of Steinger, Greene & Feiner, believes in representing real people, not big businesses. Since the firm’s creation in 1997, Steinger, Greene & Feiner has never represented an insurance company or large corporation, and he vows to keep this promise. Over the course of his career, Michael has handled thousands of Florida accident cases, recovering millions of dollars for his clients and earning him membership into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Staying up-to-date on the ever-evolving laws protecting injury victims and their families, Michael is an active member of the American Bar Association, the Palm Beach, and St. Lucie Bar Associations, and sits on the Auto Insurance Committee of the Florida Justice Association.