How Does Car Insurance in Florida Work?

Were you involved in a car accident in Tampa, FL? If so, insurance claims may be confusing. Because Florida is a no-fault car insurance state, insurance claims for car accidents work differently than in most states.

Our Florida car accident attorneys at Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers have more than 119 years of combined legal experience. We have won tens of millions of dollars in insurance settlements and jury awards for thousands of clients. Our legal team will handle all aspects of your insurance claim.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer. Call (813) 223-6200. We are available 24/7 to discuss your case with you.

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How Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help With Your Car Insurance Claim in Florida

Even though Florida has no-fault insurance requirements, you might have a claim against an at-fault driver. Our top-rated Florida personal injury attorneys pursue each legal claim available for your case. We work to maximize your recovery for damages.

Our lawyers are aggressive trial lawyers and skilled negotiators. When you hire our award-winning legal team at Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, you can expect us to:

Investigate your car accident to determine how it happened and gather evidence proving fault
Identify the party or parties responsible for causing the car wreck
Review insurance coverage and file insurance claims
Work with accident reconstructionists and other expert witnesses, as necessary
Determine how much your case is worth by documenting all damages
Negotiate aggressively to obtain top settlement amounts
File a personal injury lawsuit and have a seasoned trial lawyer argue your case in court

Insurance companies can make the process of settling claims more difficult to wear you down so you’ll accept a lower settlement offer. Before you agree to a settlement, talk with one of our lawyers to ensure you receive a fair amount for your claim.

Call Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced car accident lawyer in Tampa, Florida where all your possible questions will be answered. You can visit our FAQ page for further information.

Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Laws

Florida requires drivers to purchase a minimum amount of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage. No-fault insurance pays benefits for covered individuals involved in a collision such as a highway accident, head-on crash, intersection accident, lane change crash, left turn crash, speeding accident, distracted driving, defective tire crash, or any other accident regardless of who is responsible for causing the crash.

You must seek medical treatment from a doctor within 14 days of the car accident, or you cannot receive PIP benefits. Even if you receive PIP benefits, the benefits do not cover all your losses.

The problem with PIP insurance is that it only pays 80% of your medical bills. Additionally, you only receive 60% of your lost wages. A $10,000 PIP insurance policy might not cover the expenses from a car accident, even when you receive a fraction of your lost wages and medical expenses.

Furthermore, PIP benefits are limited to $2,500 unless you sustain injuries that require emergency medical services.

Filing Claims Against the At-Fault Driver for a Florida Car Accident

If you sustain serious injuries in a car accident, you might have the right to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver. Florida statutes define the serious injury threshold, which includes permanent impairments, significant disfigurement, and death.

If the at-fault driver has liability insurance, you can file a claim with the insurance company. Liability insurance compensates accident victims when an insured driver causes an accident. However, the insurance company investigates the claim and could deny the claim.

You can also file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver seeking damages. In either situation, you can seek damages for the full amount of your economic and non-economic damages.

What Types of Damages Can I Receive for a Car Accident Claim Against the At-Fault Driver?

The damages you receive if you file a lawsuit or claim against the at-fault driver are much more extensive than a PIP claim. Examples of damages in a car accident case include:

Past and future medical bills
Mental anguish
Physical pain and suffering
Past and future lost wages and benefits
Cost of rehabilitation and therapy
Diminished quality of life
Out-of-pocket expenses
A reduction in earning capacity
Emotional distress
Permanent disabilities and impairments
Disfigurement and scarring

The amount you receive for a car accident claim depends on the facts of the case. Generally, catastrophic injuries increase the value of damages. Our Tampa car insurance claims lawyers work to obtain a fair settlement for your car accident claim.

There are time limits for filing insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits. It is best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after a car crash to avoid missing a deadline.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Florida Car Accident Lawyers

Our top-rated personal injury lawyers can help you recover compensation for injuries sustained in a car accident. Call our law firm to request a free case review from an experienced Florida car accident attorney.