Do I Get a Cash Settlement in a Tampa No-Fault Accident Claim?

It is only natural to wonder about compensation after a Tampa auto accident. If your injuries are not serious, you may need to pursue a no-fault claim. You might have heard that this process involves only insurers with no need for a lawsuit. But how exactly do you receive your compensation in this scenario? This is a question you might want to raise with a Tampa auto accident lawyer.

Your Medical Providers Might Bill Your Insurer Directly 

After a car accident, you might need medical treatment very quickly. After all, it doesn’t make sense to leave your injuries untreated while you wait for insurance compensation. Even if you’re struggling with relatively minor injuries (such as whiplash), prompt treatment could be crucial. If you delay, you might even make your injuries worse.

Fortunately, you can receive medical treatment immediately and without worrying about getting insurance money first. This is because your medical providers will typically bill your PIP insurer directly instead of asking you for payment up-front. They do this with something called an “assignment of benefits” (AOB) form.

What About Lost Wages? 

PIP claims also cover lost wages. Specifically, you should receive compensation for 60% of the income you lose while recovering from your injuries. For example, you might be out of commission for a month due to a hairline shin fracture. In this case, you’ll receive a check (cash) for 60% of the income you’ve missed. However, you must carefully document your lost income and present evidence in order to get what you deserve.

You May Be Restricted by Your Policy Limits 

While PIP can be a welcome source of compensation, this insurance system has notable limits. Many drivers obtain only the minimum insurance for injuries, which means that you might only have access to about $10,000. Note that this figure is supposed to cover all of your medical expenses plus 60% of your lost wages.

For example, you might have suffered a wrist fracture as a result of your car accident. The cost of medical treatment for the fracture could be a few thousand dollars. Let’s say you also earn $5,000 per month, and you have to miss two months of work as a result of your wrist fracture.

60% of $10,000 is $6,000, which gives you an additional $4,000 to spend on medical expenses. In other words, PIP might just barely cover your total losses in this scenario. 60% wage compensation might also put you in a dire economic situation, especially if you’re already living paycheck to paycheck.

Due to these concerns and limitations, it might be worth discussing the possibility of a personal injury lawsuit with a qualified lawyer.

Can a Tampa Auto Accident Lawyer Help Me Get Compensation?

You can discuss the details of no-fault claims with your Tampa auto accident lawyer. Although no-fault PIP claims can be confusing, the main takeaway is that you’re almost certainly eligible to receive compensation after a car accident, regardless of the circumstances. Explore this topic in more detail with Anderson & Anderson today.

Source: 

my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/broken-wrist-wrist-fracture