Florida lawmakers have been hard at work in recent weeks in dismantling auto insurance law, which protects injured accident victims. They have been trying to reach an agreement about the fate of Florida's no-fault automobile insurance laws. Currently, state law requires all drivers to carry a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which provides an insured party with basic medical benefits regardless of who is at fault in a motor vehicle accident.
Citing overblown fears of insurance fraud, Governor Rick Scott and many others have voiced their support of making PIP coverage optional, a move that would significantly change the nature of the Florida no-fault system.
While these modifications might work for those who have appropriate health insurance coverage, they could prove disastrous for those who carry only basic insurance coverage by making it necessary for them to go through the expensive process of proving fault, even for claims of less than $10,000. Making PIP coverage optional may also drive up health care costs for all of us as emergency rooms and hospitals are forced to treat more and more auto accident victims who are uninsured.
Florida's No-Fault Insurance
Florida's no-fault insurance system, which has been in place since 1972, was introduced as a measure to reduce the number of lawsuits stemming from relatively minor motor vehicle accidents. By allowing those injured in car accidents to submit medical claims of up to $10,000 to their own insurance carriers regardless of who was at fault in an accident, the claims process was streamlined and many injured drivers were able to recover for their medical costs with less time and expense. Unfortunately, the $10,000 limit is now very low-and doesn't go far for accident victims-because health care costs have risen dramatically since the minimum limits were raised to $10,000.
Nine states in addition to Florida have similar no-fault insurance laws. Other states rely purely on a fault system, which requires injured drivers seeking compensation to prove that the other driver was at fault for causing the motor vehicle accident. This process can be expensive and time consuming, often making it an ineffective option for those who need medical care on a timely basis following an auto accident.
If you or someone close to you has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, an experienced personal injury lawyer can answer your questions and help you understand your rights. Contact an Ocala car accident attorney today to discuss the details of your situation and find out what legal remedies might be available to you.
