Car Accident Attorneys Serving Miramar

What PIP Does Not Cover

While PIP offers some help, it’s rarely enough to handle all costs after a serious crash. It does not cover:

• The remaining 20% of your medical bills
• Any expenses beyond the $10,000 limit
• Pain and suffering
• Most out-of-pocket costs like co-pays or deductibles

If your injuries are severe or long-lasting, the PIP coverage will likely run out quickly. When that happens, you may need to seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company, especially if your injuries meet Florida’s “serious injury” threshold.

When You Can File a Claim Against the Other Driver

In cases where your injuries are considered serious, Florida law allows you to step outside the no-fault system and file a liability claim or lawsuit. Serious injuries might include:

• Significant or permanent loss of a bodily function
• Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Death

If your case meets these standards, you can file a claim against the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability (BIL) insurance. This can help cover medical expenses not paid by PIP, as well as other damages like lost earning capacity and emotional distress.

Health Insurance and Car Accident Injuries

After PIP is exhausted, your health insurance may help cover additional treatment costs. But using your health insurance isn’t always straightforward. Some policies require that you first exhaust your auto insurance benefits. Others may place liens on your settlement if they pay upfront and you later receive compensation through a personal injury claim.

That’s why it’s important to track every bill and stay in communication with both your medical providers and insurance carriers. Your health insurer may ask for reimbursement if they cover treatment that another party ends up paying for later.

Medical Liens and Outstanding Balances

In many car accident cases, providers may agree to treat you under a medical lien. This means they provide care now and get paid later from your settlement or court award. This can be helpful if you don’t have enough insurance coverage upfront, but it can also reduce the amount of money you walk away with in the end.

Some common types of liens in these cases include:

• Hospital liens
• Health insurance liens
• Medicaid or Medicare liens
• Veterans Affairs liens

These liens must usually be resolved before you receive final payment from your settlement. An attorney can help negotiate these amounts to ensure you are not overcharged.