Articles Tagged with PIP insurance

After years of debate, measures have moved forward in both chambers of the Florida legislature to repeal the state’s 50-year-old motor vehicle no-fault law. Senate Bill 54 has already passed, while companion House Bill 719 was approved in the committee stage on April 19, 2021. The proposed legislation has been the subject of some controversy among lawmakers, insurance industry experts, and consumer groups, who argue over how eliminating the no-fault law will affect insurance rates. 

Under the current no-fault rule, if you were injured in a Miami car accident,  you would seek compensation from your own insurance company through your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. If passed and signed by the governor, Florida would essentially become a so-called “at-fault” state: You would file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to obtain monetary damages after a collision.

Obviously, the elimination of no-fault principles is a major reversal of existing law and will have considerable implications if you were hurt in a motor vehicle crash. Here are some things to know as the bills move closer to passage. 

Car accidents make up a whopping 99% of all non-fatal transportation injuries in the US, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2020 Report. Millions of victims and their families are expected to file insurance claims for their losses. Even if you do not have a legal background, you probably hear a lot about how fault plays a role in the process. Legal liability concepts are central to your rights and remedies, but they work a little bit differently after a Miami car accident. In many cases, fault may not be key because you will seek compensation from your own insurance company under Florida’s no fault rules. 

However, there are some instances in which you qualify to file an injury claim with the other driver’s insurer – and proving fault is definitely a requirement to obtain compensation. Your Miami car accidents attorney can explain the details, but you might find the following information useful.

Why Fault Matters in a Miami Auto Crash

A tragic car crash occurred in Miami resulting in the death of one person and serious injuries to seven others. News reports indicate that a vehicle was traveling east on Northwest Seventh Street when a collision occurred at the intersection with 35th Avenue. Two elderly individuals (one of whom passed away later on at the hospital) and six teenagers were involved in this awful wreck. Our team of Miami car accident lawyers are deeply saddened to hear about another preventable car crash in which live were forever changed.

This terrible crash is an example of just how precious life is and the fact that, in the blink of an eye, everything can be turned upside down. Just think, the elderly couple involved in this wreck was simply going about their day. Now, a spouse is dead and the other is left to pick up the pieces.

The six teenagers involved in the crash ranged in age from 17 to 19. Two of the teenagers had to be transported to Jackson Trauma Center due to the severity of their injuries. The students just finished with class at Green Springs High School when the crash occurred, according to 7 News.

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