Why You Need to Notify Your Own Insurance Company After a Truck Accident in Florida
Were you involved in a collision with a large commercial truck in Florida? Even if the trucker or truck company was clearly at fault for the crash, you need to be sure to notify your own insurance company. Florida is a no-fault insurance state. Here, our West Palm Beach truck accident attorney explains why it is so important to notify your own insurance company after a crash in Florida.
Why You Need to Notify Your Own Insurance Company After a Truck Accident in Florida
Florida is a no-fault insurance state, including for truck accident cases. Every motorist in Florida is required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage (Florida Statutes § 627.736). Your first claim after a truck accident is a PIP claim through your own insurance company. In some cases, that will be your only viable injury claim. However, if you suffered a serious injury in the truck accident, you may also have a claim against a negligent trucker or negligent trucking company.
Notifying Your Own Insurer is Key to Complying With Florida’s No-Fault (PIP) System
In Florida, the mandatory minimum PIP coverage is up to $10,000 in medical and disability benefits on a no-fault basis. To preserve your PIP eligibility, you must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident and notify your insurer promptly. The failure to notify your insurer can result in a denial of benefits. Prompt notification is a must.
Your PIP Insurance Policy Likely Requires Prompt Notice
Most auto insurance policies in Florida contain something known as a “notice of loss” clause. It is a common insurance provision that requires policyholders to report accidents promptly. While state courts do not mandate exact timelines, unreasonable delay in reporting a truck accident can be deemed a breach of contract. If uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) benefits or MedPay coverage are implicated, the failure to provide notice could invalidate your claim entirely.
Remember Your PIP Claim is Not Necessarily Your Only Claim After a Truck Accident
Truck accident victims in Florida should have a strong understanding of the state’s no-fault PIP claims process. While Florida’s no-fault system requires you to turn first to your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, that is not the end of your legal rights. In serious truck accident cases, you may have the right to file a third-party liability claim against the truck driver, trucking company, or another negligent party. These claims can seek compensation for damages not covered by PIP. Most notably, you have the right to seek full and fair compensation for your pain and suffering.
Speak to Our West Palm Beach Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Today
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our West Palm Beach semi-truck accident lawyer has the professional expertise that you can trust. If you have any questions about dealing with your own insurance company after a crash, we are here to help. Contact us today for a free, no obligation initial case review. From our West Palm Beach office, we handle cases throughout South Florida, including in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Miami Beach, and Coral Gables.
