How Florida No-Fault Insurance Laws Impact Your Rights In A Bradenton Car Accident Lawsuit
Insurance is designed to protect you in the event of the unexpected. In the event of a car accident in Bradenton, it can help cover medical bills, lost wages, and other costs. However, while it is intended to protect you from paying out of pocket, it often fails to cover all losses. Our Bradenton car accident lawyer explains how, despite state no-fault insurance laws, filing a lawsuit may be a better option and can help you get the total amount you need to recover.
No-Fault Insurance Requirements In Bradenton
The majority of states follow fault-based insurance laws when it comes to car accidents. This requires all drivers to carry bodily injury liability policies to cover injuries suffered by others in car accidents for which they are to blame. However, Florida is one of roughly a dozen ‘at-fault’ states. Under the Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law, each driver is required to carry their own coverage to protect themselves in this situation.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) requires all drivers to maintain a mandatory minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. This can help cover medical expenses you incur as a result of car accident injuries. No-fault policies are intended to keep overall costs low by reducing legal fees incurred by insurers as a result of car accident lawsuits.
Unfortunately, even in a relatively minor car accident, costs incurred by victims can easily surpass the mandatory minimum amount of PIP protection required by law. In this situation, rather than having to pay any additional amounts out-of-pocket, you may be entitled to file a car accident lawsuit against the other motorist involved.
Your Right In Filing A Bradenton Car Accident Lawsuit
Florida no-fault insurance laws are designed to reduce lawsuits but do not prevent you from filing one in the event of a car accident in Florida. You can still file a claim through the Manatee County Court. This often allows you to seek more compensation, including coverage of all current and future medical expenses, lost wages, future lost earnings due to ongoing impairments, and additional amounts for your pain and suffering. Situations in which this may be your best option include:
- You are involved in a crash and your insurer disputes your claim;
- You are seriously injured in a crash caused by another driver and your costs exceed coverage limits;
- You were partially at fault for your accident;
- There are multiple other parties involved, who may be responsible.
Discuss Your Options With Our Bradenton Car Accident Lawyer
Be aware that when dealing with car accident insurers, you have only one chance to get compensation. To prevent out-of-pocket costs, discuss your case with Bradenton car accident lawyer Steven G. Lavely before accepting any settlements. We protect your rights and can advise you on whether filing a car accident lawsuit is a better option. To request a consultation, call or contact us online today.
Sources:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.7407.html
flhsmv.gov/insurance/
manateeclerk.com/
