Your Rights After a Car Accident in Florida
A car accident is confusing and stressful. Calls from insurers, paperwork and pain all arrive at once. Knowing your rights from day one helps you protect your health and your benefits. Here is what every driver and passenger in Florida should know.
1. Your own PIP pays first
Florida is a no-fault state. Your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) pays toward your medical bills and part of your lost wages, up to your policy limit (usually $10,000), no matter who caused the crash.
If you don’t own a car, you may be covered by the PIP of a relative you live with, or the PIP of the vehicle you were riding in.
2. You have 14 days to get medical care
To use your PIP benefits, you must get initial medical care within 14 days of the accident. If you wait longer, you can lose that coverage. Many injuries, like whiplash, don’t hurt until days later, so get evaluated even if you feel fine.
3. You choose where you’re treated
You have the right to choose your medical provider. You don’t have to go where the other driver’s insurer sends you.
4. You can get care with or without an attorney
You don’t need an attorney to start treatment. If you decide to talk to one, you can do that at any time. What matters most is not waiting on your health.
5. Get a copy of the police report
If anyone was hurt, call 911 and ask for a police report. Keep the report number, photos of the crash, and the other driver’s and any witnesses’ information.
6. You can get care in Spanish
At our clinics, you can speak with our team in Spanish, from the front desk through your evaluation.
We’re here to help
Dr. Vivian Solivan, D.C., sees accident patients at our Lauderhill clinic, and we have six clinics across Miami-Dade and Broward. Walk-ins are welcome. We bill your PIP insurer directly.
This article is general information, not legal or medical advice.