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Personal Injury Protection is also referred to as No-fault Insurance. PIP was created to  simplify determining who is at fault. It will help cover costs for medical bills not covered by health insurance regardless of who is at fault. Although 23 states make it required, others have it as an available add-on to your policy. PIP is a smart investment even if your state does not require it, especially considering the financial burden a car accident can become.

Expenses PIP can cover: 

Medical expenses: medical and surgical supplies and services, ambulance service, x-rays, nursing, hospital stays, rehabilitation, optical care and chiropractic services

Lost wages: If injuries from the car accident prevent you from working, PIP may be able to help recover lost wages

Funeral costs: If an auto accident or injury from the accident leads to death, funeral costs can be covered

Survivor’s Loss: A small benefit paid to dependants of the deceased for up to 3 years

House Services: If car accident injuries prevent you from completing services like house cleaning or child care

PIP Does NOT cover:

Vehicle damage

Property damage

Injured persons not in the vehicle at time of accident

Injuries due to a driver committing a crime

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Know Your Policy

The declarations page, which is the first page of any policy, states which coverages you are signed up for, the cost of each and dates of coverage period. It will have your policy number and personal contact information as well as any additional drivers on the policy. 

Understanding Coverages

To start, you will want to understand the different types of coverage available.  Know what is covered, what is not, and what is optional.

Mandatory Coverage

The following coverages are mandatory in most states. 

• Bodily Injury Liability covers the costs dues to injuries or death caused by yourself or another driver on the policy while driving your car
• Property Damage Liability reimburses others for damage to property such as fences, light posts, mail boxes, etc. 

Commonly Required Coverage

• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) will reimburse for medical expenses for you and any of your passengers as well as lost wages and other related expenses 
• Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverages reimburse you if the accident is caused by someone without insurance or in the event of a hit and run incident, or if the other driver does not have sufficient coverage for the costs of a more serious accident.

Optional Coverage

The following coverages are optional in most states:

• Collision coverage will reimburse when you’re at fault for damages caused by another vehicle or an outside object such as a guard rail or tree, or even potholes. 
• Comprehensive coverage is for incidents other than collisions, such as a flood, vandalism, fire, or environmental hazards like hale. 
• Glass Coverage is exactly that; it covers windshields as well as side and rear windows and sunroofs
• Gap insurance is for leased or financed vehicles and pays the difference between the value of your vehicle and what is owed on it. Leases will often include gap insurance in the payments, otherwise you could end up still having to make payments on a vehicle that is no longer on the road.

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Not only is it  important to get this done in a timely manner for your own comfort and safety, but also for legal purposes. If you prolong seeking medical care after an accident, it can end up being too late to try and claim benefits. Unfortunately, it is sometimes necessary to file a lawsuit for compensation. In this case, medical records are critical evidence and can be of great assistance to your attorney. Without records it can be hard to prove your level of suffering. 

Visit our Qualified Chiropractors page for more resources.

The post Deciding if You Need Medical Care After an Auto Accident appeared first on Florida Car Accident Advisor.

What to do after an accident

Getting into an automobile accident is typically upsetting and it can be difficult to find clarity in knowing exactly what to do in the moments following. Here we will outline the steps that should be taken after a car accident and assist in guiding you through some of the big decisions that will need to be made.

Whether you believe you are at fault or not in the accident, the following steps should always be taken.

1. Check yourself, then other passengers for injuries and get to safety.

   Check yourself for injuries if able to do so. Then check on any passengers. If there are any injuries, call 911 for an ambulance and police. Vehicles should be moved off the road if possible and for higher impact crashes, it is likely a good ideal to wait away from the vehicles, especially if you see liquid below the vehicle or smoke coming from anywhere.

    

2. Call 911

   It is a good idea to report any incident, even minor ones like fender benders. That way there will be documentation for your insurance company. In many states it is legally required to notifiy authorities. Many times, insurance will request a copy of the police report to assist with processing the claim.

    

3. Wait for help & Exchange Info with Other Drivers

   Turn on the hazard lights in your vehicle, set up road flares if necessary, and turn off your engine while waiting for help to arrive. After ensuring everyones safety, exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved. You will also want to note their driver’s license and license plate number, the year make and model of their vehicle, and take some pictures.

4. Document the accident

   Aside from taking photos of the scene and any damages, you will also want to collect the names and badge number of the responding officers and obrain a copy of the accident report. Many times, insurance will ask for it. Get the names and contact info of any additional passengers and witnesses involved. Take some notes while the incident if fresh in your mind as insurance will likely ask for some specific details to help the claim.

5. Decide whether to notify insurance and file a claim

   Depending on the severity of the damages to your vehicle or your body, you will have to decide if a claim is necessary. It is typically advised to always report any accident, however for a minor fender bender where you will not be seeking payment from insurance and there were no injuries or other vehicles involved, you may choose not to file a claim.

    

6. Seek medical care

   After an accident, it is common for adrenaline to be rushing through you and you may not feel the affects of any injuries until several days later. For this reason, insurance allows time for you to get checked, however they limit it to 14 days.

    

7. Get your vehicle repaired

   Once insurance determined the vehicle can be repaired, they will have suggestions of where to take your car under their list of approved facilities, however you are allowed to get up to 3 quotes on your own to present.

    

8. Replace your totaled vehicle

   If insurance determines the vehicle is a total loss, you may owe the remaining payments (unless you have GAP), you may receive money back if the value of the vehicle is more than what you owe. In either scenario, you will need to replace your vehicle.

 

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Get to Safety

The first thing is to ensure your own safety before those involved in the accident. Make sure your own vehicle is pulled over completely off the road and at least 100 feet from the scene and put your hazard lights on. This distance is to keep you away from any debris, fuel, or flames that may be present, as well as allowing room for emergency services.

Call 911

Do not assume 911 has been called already. When you call 911, be prepared to answer the following:
1. Identify yourself as a witness to an accident
2. The location of the accident
3. How many vehicles and people involved
4. Any injuries that may need medical attention

Helping Those Involved

Assess the scene to make sure it is safe to approach before you check on the victims and offer assistance. Keep a look out for leaking fluids and smoke. Florida protects any person from liability if they are acting out of good will to assist in an emergency situation (as long as the victim does not protest). However, if you are not an emergency responder or medical professional, it is advised not to move any victims unless urgently necessary, as this can make their injuries worse.

Give a Statement

Once the police arrive on the scene, they will likely request a written statement and contact information from you as a witness. Try your best to sick to facts and not reference any emotions or opinions.

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