Is a Truck Accident Claim in Florida Still Worth it for a Minor Injury?

Did you suffer a minor injury in a commercial truck accident in Palm Beach County? You may be wondering whether or not it is worth it to bring a claim. In Florida, the answer is generally that you should file a claim if you require professional medical care of any kind. Your minor injury claim can be initiated through your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policy. Here, our West Palm Beach truck accident attorney explains why you should be prepared to bring a claim for any type of injury after a crash in Florida.

Florida is a No-Fault State for Truck Accident Claims

Florida uses a no-fault standard for motor vehicle accident liability, including for commercial truck accident cases. The system applies to many commercial truck accident injury claims. That means you generally start with your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, regardless of who caused the crash. PIP can cover a portion of reasonable and necessary medical expenses and certain lost income after a covered motor vehicle accident. In many minor injury cases, that first-party claim may be the most immediate path to compensation.

Note: No-fault does not mean fault never matters. If your injuries meet Florida’s serious injury threshold, you may have a claim against the truck driver, trucking company, or another negligent party for damages beyond PIP. Still, a minor injury is unlikely to meet that threshold.

Understanding PIP Claims for Minor Injuries

A minor injury can still create real costs. An emergency room visit, urgent care appointment, diagnostic imaging, physical therapy, prescription medication, and follow-up care can become expensive quickly. PIP exists to address those early medical losses without requiring you to prove that the truck driver or trucking company was at fault before benefits begin.

Florida PIP has strict procedural rules. Most importantly, you generally must receive initial medical services and care within 14 days after the crash to preserve PIP medical benefits. You may hear this referred to simply as the “14-day rule.” It makes getting immediate medical attention especially important. Waiting too long can jeopardize coverage, even if your symptoms later get worse.

You May Be More Seriously Hurt than Your Initially Recognize

Is your injury truly only “minor?” It may actually be more serious than you initially believe. It is not uncommon for people to underestimate the extent of their injury after a serious truck accident. Adrenaline can mask pain after a crash. Neck injuries, back injuries, concussions, shoulder damage, knee injuries, and soft tissue trauma may become more obvious hours or days later. A person who feels “mostly fine” at the scene may struggle with headaches, stiffness, numbness, dizziness, or reduced range of motion the next morning.

Takeaway: All truck accident injuries should be evaluated and treated by a medical professional. If you sought medical care, you should be ready to pursue a PIP claim. An experienced Florida truck accident attorney can help you seek the maximum available financial benefits.

Set Up a Free Case Review With Our West Palm Beach Truck Accident Lawyer

At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our West Palm Beach truck accident attorney is a strong, aggressive advocate for justice. If you or your loved one suffered an injury in a semi-truck crash, we can help. Call us now for a free case review. Our firm handles truck accident injury claims in West Palm Beach, Miami, and throughout the entire region in Southeastern Florida.

Source:

leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.736.html