My Truck Accident Medical Bills Exceed My PIP Coverage: What are My Options?
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) explains that our state has a no-fault motor vehicle insurance law. All motorists in Florida are required to obtain Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. Your initial claim after a crash, including a truck accident, is through your own PIP policy. This raises an important question: What if my medical bills exceed my PIP coverage after a truck accident in Florida? Here, our West Palm Beach tractor trailer accident lawyer explains what your options are if your PIP coverage is not enough for your medical bills after a crash.
What to Know About Florida’s PIP Coverage Limits
As a starting point, it is useful to have some background knowledge about PIP coverage. In Florida, all drivers are required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. It is no-fault coverage that pays up to $10,000 in medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who caused the crash. However, truck accidents often result in serious injuries that far exceed this amount. Once your PIP benefits are exhausted, you must explore other avenues to get your bills paid.
You Can Bring a Fault-Based Claim After a Serious Truck Accident
If the truck driver or trucking company was at fault, you may file a personal injury claim against them to recover compensation beyond PIP. Under Florida law, you can step outside the no-fault system if your injuries are considered “serious” as defined by state law. That term covers injuries that result in such as permanent disability, significant scarring, or the loss of bodily function. Through a fault-based personal injury claim, you can seek compensation for all of your remaining medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Personal Injury Tip: If your medical bills are in excess of your PIP coverage, your injury may be serious. You should consult with a Florida truck accident attorney as soon as possible.
You Need to Investigate All Policies that Might Cover Your Damages
Your own PIP coverage is only the starting point after a truck accident in Florida. There may be other insurance policies that also provide coverage of your damages. For example, most commercial trucks carry large liability insurance policies that far exceed standard auto coverage. In some cases, there may also be umbrella or excess liability policies available. Beyond that, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage could help if the truck’s policy limits do not fully cover your damages. Your Florida truck accident attorney can help you explore every option for getting your medical bills paid (and your other damages covered) after a crash.
Contact Our West Palm Beach Truck Accident PIP Claims Lawyer Today
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer is a strong advocate for justice and the maximum compensation for victims. Hurt in a truck crash? Our firm can help you navigate the PIP claims process. Contact us today for a free consultation. With an office in West Palm Beach and an office in Miami, our firm handles truck accident injury cases throughout South Florida.
Source:
flhsmv.gov/insurance/
