Protecting your right to sue as a Florida car accident victim
The sounds of shattering glass and twisting metal in a car crash can be so unnerving as to leave even a normally level-headed individual dazed and confused. If you have suffered a personal injury, the pain and shock associated with the accident can make it difficult for you to fully comprehend the severity of your injuries. Your ability to make decisions about what should be done to protect your right to compensation might also be impaired.
As a car accident victim, your first thought, once the confusion and shock subside, might be to call your insurance company for advice about what to do next. This is particularly true in Florida where the first $10,000 medical costs of an injured motorist are paid through Personal Injury Protection insurance coverage under the state's no-fault law, but getting advice from only your insurance company might not fully protect your rights.
PIP coverage is available to a car accident victim without the need for proving that the conduct of a negligent driver was the cause of the injuries, but depending upon the severity of your injury, receiving reimbursement for medical expenses or lost wages might not be sufficient compensation. For this reason, state law gives accident victims the right to sue a negligent driver where the injury involves:
- Permanent injury
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Death
- Significant loss of a key bodily function
At the Law Offices of Brent C. Miller P.A., our knowledgeable and skilled attorneys understand how important the right to sue is for car accident victims to be adequately compensated in cases of catastrophic injuries. Instead of getting advice from just your insurance company, you could probably benefit from having your claim evaluated by one of our attorneys.
For additional information about your auto accident and Florida no-fault, go to the frequently asked questions page at the auto accident section of our website.