What Does PIP Have to Do With Your Personal Injury Claim?

If you live in Lakeland or one of Florida’s other beautiful cities, then you are no stranger to Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. But do you understand the role that PIP plays if you sustain an injury in a car accident? Florida is one of only ten states in the country that mandates PIP insurance, so you may not fully understand its implications. If you are ever in a car accident and need to pursue compensation for the injuries you sustain, this information will prove very valuable to you.

Understand the Function of PIP Insurance

Personal Injury Protection is a no fault automobile insurance that was created to provide injured drivers up to $10,000 in immediate medical coverage without waiting to establish fault through the court system. This method of auto insurance is used by Florida and other states because it reduces payment delays for the injured party, avoids a backlog in the court system, and ultimately makes each individual responsible for the cost of his own injuries through his insurance policy.

All of this means that if you are injured in a car accident in Lakeland, Florida or anywhere else in the state, your own PIP insurance policy will pay for your incurred expenses, regardless of who was at fault in the accident. However, PIP won’t pay for every single cost. It pays for 80 percent of your medical bills and 60 percent of your lost wages, up to a total of $10,000. If your injuries and lost wages exceed $10,000, you either need to recover the rest out of your pocket or pursue compensation from the other party.

Where PIP and Personal Injury Meet

Unfortunately, many car accident victims find that they exceed their $10,000 threshold before they even reach the hospital. Rather than merely accepting to pay medical bills for the rest of your life, you can try to settle with the other driver's insurance company for the remainder of your expenses. This requires an attorney to prepare the proper arguments, evidence, and paperwork. Insurance companies are infamous for doing everything possible to minimize the amount of money they will pay out, and only an experienced personal injury attorney can navigate their manipulative strategies to secure a settlement high enough to keep you financially stable.

Though most cases can be resolved through settlements with the other insurance company, some cases do ultimately go to trial. This occurs when the insurance company is unwilling to pay out the amount you believe you are rightfully owed, and you are unwilling to accept anything lower. This is yet another reason that working with a qualified Lakeland personal injury attorney is so essential. Your attorney will know exactly how to negotiate your case from a position of strength to give you the best odds of winning in court.