Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is part of your car insurance available in Florida. In the event that you are injured in a car accident, PIP can provide coverage for medical expenses, lost wages and other damages. PIP is sometimes referred to as “no-fault” coverage because it supposedly will cover you regardless of who was at fault in the accident.
Florida passed a new PIP law in March of 2012 with the support of Governor Rick Scott. The new law goes into effect on January 1 of 2013, and the following changes will take place:
- Injured accident victims must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident, or the PIP will not cover treatment.
- In order to receive the entire $10,000 insured by PIP, a physician, osteopath, dentist, physician’s assistant or advanced registered nurse practitioner must diagnose the injury as an “emergency medical condition.” Otherwise the victim is limited to $2,500 in coverage.
- Holistic medicine or any “less intrusive” types of treatments for these injuries is not covered. This includes massage therapy and acupuncture.
When these new laws go into effect, it will be more important than ever that you seek immediate counsel and treatment following a car accident. Please call our office at 1-800-235-7060 for a free consultation.
Wooten Kimbrough, P.A.—Florida personal injury attorneys.
