If you’re injured in a car crash in Fort Lauderdale, the responsibility for paying medical bills depends on several factors, including Florida’s no-fault insurance laws, the extent of your injuries, and the parties involved in the accident. You could receive compensation to pay medical bills from your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance provider, the at-fault driver’s insurer, or another insurance company.
Even injuries that seem minor at first can quickly rack up bills in the tens of thousands. Our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers can help you seek compensation for your losses. Keep reading to learn more about what you can do to tackle those accident-related expenses and move forward.
How Can A Car Accident Lawyer Help Me Pay My Medical Bills In Fort Lauderdale?
Medical bills are one of the biggest financial burdens after a car accident, and we know how overwhelming that can feel. But there are ways to ensure those expenses get covered. Whether it’s through an insurance settlement or a personal injury lawsuit, you don’t have to shoulder this alone.
After a car accident, your primary focus should be on recovering from your injuries. If you need help paying your medical bills after a car crash, a Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney can work on your behalf to:
- Obtain copies of relevant medical records
- Investigate the accident to prove cause, negligence, and liability
- Show you meet the state’s serious injury threshold, if applicable
- Demonstrate the other driver’s fault
- Explore all options to recover compensation
- Negotiate with insurers
- Advocate for your best interests
How Can I Get Compensation For My Medical Bills From My PIP Insurance Company?
Filing a personal injury claim with your PIP insurance company is one of the best ways to get financial help with medical bills after a car accident. Because Florida is a no-fault state (according to Florida Statutes § 627.7407), your first step is filing a claim with your auto insurance provider, regardless of who caused the crash.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the minimum amount of PIP insurance typically covers 80% of reasonable medical expenses, up to $10,000.
Additionally, some auto insurance policies include Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage, which can complement PIP and help with out-of-pocket costs.
What Else Does PIP Cover?
In addition to 80% of medical bills up to $10,000, PIP generally covers the following, per Florida Statutes § 627.736:
- Up to 60% of your lost income
- Up to 100% of replacement services
- Up to $5,000 in death benefits for families of fatal car accident victims
What If My PIP Coverage Isn’t Enough To Pay My Medical Bills?
While PIP can be very helpful for minor injuries, it has limitations for those who suffer more serious harm in car accidents. For injuries that exceed PIP’s $10,000 policy limits or in cases of significant harm (like permanent injuries), you could pursue compensation from:
- The at-fault driver’s insurance company – If the other driver was responsible for the crash, their bodily injury liability coverage (if they have it) may cover your excess medical bills. However, availability depends on the negligent driver’s policy since Florida law doesn’t require this coverage (except for taxis).
- Your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage – If the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance, your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can help bridge the gap.
- Your health insurance- If PIP and other resources don’t fully cover your medical bills, your health insurance may step in.
What Other Damages Can A Fort Lauderdale Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney Help Me Fight For?
If you qualify to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party, you may qualify for additional compensation beyond the limits of PIP, such as:
- 100% of your medical expenses
- 100% of your lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Future medical care
- Increased insurance premiums
You may also qualify for non-economic damages, which don’t have a set dollar amount and can be harder to pin down. However, they often have a huge impact on your life, so they’re worth fighting for. Common non-economic damages include:
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of household services
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent and temporary disabilities
Having a Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney to help you throughout the insurance claim and legal process can ease your anxiety. We can gather evidence to prove why you deserve financial compensation for your suffering caused by someone else’s negligence.
How Much Can A Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Get Me?
Every car accident is different, so it’s impossible to know the exact value of your car accident lawsuit without evaluating your unique injuries and related expenses. Many factors influence the value of a car accident settlement or judgment.
Once we determine a fair settlement value for your accident-related damages, we’ll file a claim with the liable party’s insurance company and/or a lawsuit. Our team at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine will fight for the personal injury compensation you deserve.
Watch Out For Lowball Offers For Auto Accident-Related Medical Costs
Dealing with insurance companies isn’t always smooth sailing. Even if the adjuster you talk to seems friendly, their job is to protect the company’s bottom line, which often means dissecting your car accident claim closely.
Insurance companies are notorious for offering accident victims less than they deserve. They have entire teams dedicated to minimizing payouts, and one of their favorite strategies is tempting people who are under financial stress with low settlement offers.
Even worse, insurance companies might twist the statements you give them to justify reducing or denying your claim. A Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can step in to negotiate a fair settlement for all the losses you suffered or take your lawsuit to court if necessary.
Why Should I Contact The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine After A Car Accident In Fort Lauderdale?
You shouldn’t have to struggle to pay your medical bills after a car crash in Fort Lauderdale. Contact our team at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for a free case evaluation. We’ll help you explore your options and fight for the compensation you deserve.
We Can Help.
