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How Does Florida’s No-Fault Law Affect Me?

If you live in the state of Florida and drive a vehicle, you’ve likely heard the phrase “no-fault state” more than once. But what does this mean and how will it affect you if you are in a car accident?

Our team at Impact Med Zephyrhills discusses what Florida’s no-fault law means, and how it can affect you if you are in a car accident.

What is Florida’s No-Fault Law?

“No-fault” means that in the event of a car accident, both parties will turn to their own auto insurance policies to make claims, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. To cover this, all Florida drivers are required to carry Personal Injury Protection or PIP insurance on their car insurance policy.

No-fault laws are supposed to make it easier for those injured in a car accident to seek medical treatment, but there are some restrictions. PIP insurance has a limit on medical expenses, and it will only pay up to a certain amount.

If your injuries are serious enough, meet the law’s injury threshold, or exceed your PIP coverage, you may choose to file a lawsuit against the negligent driver.

What Does PIP Insurance Cover?

PIP insurance covers your medical treatment and lost wages following an accident. It may also cover any expenses that you incur because of your accident, such as childcare if your injuries made it impossible for you to take care of your children.

PIP insurance will cover these same expenses for all passengers that were inside the vehicle.

Learn More>  6 Common Delayed Car Crash Injuries

Personal Injury Requirements in Florida

The minimum PIP insurance requirements in Florida are $10,000 for medical and disability per person per accident. There are also $5,000 of death benefits. This money is paid out without any determination of fault.

The PIP benefits cover the owner of the car insurance policy and any relatives that live with them in their household. The owner and relatives are also covered when they are pedestrians or riding in someone else’s car.

Florida PIP coverage pays for 80% of medical treatments up to the $10,000 limit per person and 60% of disability up to the $10,000 limit.

It is also important to note that you can increase these PIP limits if you prefer, the $10,000 amount is just the minimum required in the state of Florida.

Car Accidents in Florida

If you are a driver in Florida and are involved in a car accident, PIP coverage will cover your injuries up to certain limits. However, you should still take detailed notes and photos following the crash in case you need to litigate against the other driver.

If it is safe to do so, it is a good idea to record the following:

• The other driver’s name, license number, and insurance information
• License plates from both vehicles
• Pictures of the accident
• Any visible injuries to you and your passengers
• Police reports

If you or your passengers are injured in a car accident, you can file a liability insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.

With your PIP coverage, you should seek medical attention right away as you have 14 days to seek medical attention before your benefits expire.

Read More> Florida’s PIP 14 Day Rule Explained

Can My Insurance Company Deny My PIP Claim?

Your insurance company might deny covering your no-fault PIP car accident claim for many reasons including:

• The treatment that you receive was not necessary
• Your treatment was not approved by a licensed physician, dentist, hospital, or another facility.
• The deadline has passed for you to place a claim
• You did not seek treatment during the 14-day window
• Your injuries were not an emergency and don’t qualify for compensation
• You were injured due to a pre-existing condition
• The injuries you have were not caused by the car accident
• You intentionally caused the accident
• You got injured while committing a felony
• Your insurance has lapsed
• The damages you are claiming are not covered in your policy

Medical Care for Accident Injuries

Whether you are experiencing back or neck pain following an accident, our compassionate team at Impact Med Zephyrhills is here to help. We will work closely with you to create a personalized treatment plan to help you on your road to recovery.

If you are in a car accident, don’t delay. Schedule medical treatment today at Impact Med Zephyrhills; 813-737-7965!

How Serious Is a Headache After an Accident?

Did you know that more than half of all people involved in a car accident are injured? Headaches are one of the most common ailments following an accident and should be taken very seriously.

Our team at Impact Med Zephyrhills discusses the seriousness of a headache following a car accident, and when it could be signs of an emergency.

Headaches After a Car Accident

Due to the trauma that can occur to your body during an accident, there are many reasons why you might have a headache immediately or hours after a car accident. These include:

Whiplash

A car accident can cause your head to jerk back and forth causing damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck. Whiplash is quite painful and will limit your ability to bend or twist your neck. You might get a headache due to tension in your neck that is putting strain on your cervical nerves.

Learn More> The Dangers of Untreated Whiplash

Post Traumatic Headache

These headaches are caused by trauma to the head and neck during an accident and can include neck pain that radiates to the head as a headache. The headache might appear within a few hours or even days after the accident, but it could be delayed even longer due to adrenaline and shock.

Though post-traumatic headaches are common following an accident and could be a response to simple injuries, they could also be the symptoms of brain damage and should be evaluated as soon as possible.

Concussion

A concussion occurs when your head collides against the inside of your skull. This can occur during a car accident when your head jerks suddenly or if you hit your head against the window or dashboard.

Concussions are not usually life-threatening but can cause a lot of head pain. If you have the symptoms of a concussion, it is important to seek treatment immediately to be sure that your brain is not severely injured.

Symptoms of a concussion include:

• Headache
• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness
• Limited amnesia
• Slurred speech
• Blurred or double vision
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Fatigue

Herniated Disc

The impact of an accident can put so much force on your spine that it causes a disc to herniate. When this occurs, the fluid from the disc bursts out and exerts pressure on the nerves that run through your spinal cord. This pressure is painful and can cause headaches as well as pain in your arms and shoulders.

When is a Headache an Emergency?

Sometimes, a headache or concussion symptoms can be confused with brain injuries or hemorrhaging, which is why it is so important to seek medical attention immediately following a car accident.

Skull fractures can be a source of a headache after a car accident as well. Symptoms of a skull fracture include:

• Swelling or bruising on the head
• Intense headaches
• Pain in the skull
• Stiff neck
• Slurred speech
• Nausea
• Confusion

While skull fractures are not always life-threatening, they can cause a lot of pain and in turn, compromise your skull’s ability to protect your brain.

Don’t hesitate to seek medical care if you have any of the symptoms of a skull fracture.

Don’t Tough it Out

Even if your headache is not severe, or responds well to over-the-counter pain medication, you should still seek medical care if you have been in a recent accident. Don’t wait for your symptoms to get better or go away. Your body is telling your something, and it is important to listen.

Learn More> 6 Common Delayed Car Crash Injuries

Address Your Car Accident-Related Headache

Though you may think it is normal to have a headache post-accident, headaches can have a range of causes including something as benign as stress, to something more severe life brain damage.

Don’t wait. If you have been in a car accident, call Impact Med Zephyrhills for a checkup—especially if you have a headache. We can create a treatment plan unique to you with primary care, chiropractic care, manual, pain management, and more!

Call us today to get started; 813-737-7965!

Florida PIP 14 Day Rule Explained

If you live in Florida, you may have heard about the PIP 14-Day Rule. What exactly is this rule, and what does it mean for you? The kind staff at Impact Medical Miami are here to give you all the details so you know how to protect yourself after an accident.

The PIP 14-Day Rule Explained

PIP stands for “Personal Injury Protection”. This is a no-fault insurance policy designed to cover your medical expenses regardless of who is at fault for the accident. The rule states that you must seek medical attention within fourteen days of the car accident or else you won’t be able to file an insurance claim.

Why Is the PIP 14 Day Rule Required in Florida?

The reason for the fourteen-day rule is to ensure you’re treated before your injuries get worse. Also, medical professionals can treat your wounds more efficiently and your insurance claim is likely to be more accurate while the incident is still fresh in your mind. The longer you wait, the more muddled all the factors become which makes things harder on everyone involved.

PIP 14-Day Rule Qualifications and Coverage

By now you already know that you must seek medical treatment within fourteen days of your accident in order to qualify for insurance coverage. But what exactly counts as medical attention? Believe it or not, chiropractic care falls under the list of qualified practitioners. This is because licensed chiropractors are trained to treat injuries caused specifically by car impacts.

The amount that you’re covered depends on whether or not your situation is considered an emergency. Non-emergencies can be compensated for 80% of your bill up to $2,500 while emergencies shoot up to $10,000 and that’s on the lower end of the scale. Examples of emergency situations include:

• Any dangers to your overall health or wellbeing
• Impairments to essential bodily functions
• Vital dysfunctions of an organ or body part

On top of seeking medical care, you should also be aware that police must either be on the scene of the accident or a police report must be made within ten days for the insurance claim to be made as well. Just another reason to call 911 as soon as you’re hit if you’re capable.

Why You Should Seek Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic treatments can lessen inflammation surrounding your tendons, ligaments, and muscles, all of which are incredibly prone to damage during a car accident. This form of treatment can also help with:

• Jaw pain
• Migraines and tension headaches
• Stress disorders
• Fibromyalgia pain
• Weakened immune systems
• Limited range of mobility
• High blood pressure
• Sleep disorders
• Pain from repetitive stress injuries

If you just recently endured a car accident, call Impact Medical Miami today at 786-789-3171 to schedule an appointment to start your chiropractic treatment and meet the requirements for the PIP 14-Day Rule!

Why Health Insurance Doesn’t Cover Accident Injuries

If you have been in a car accident and have sustained injuries, you might be wondering who will pay for your injuries. Does your health insurance cover your injuries, or your car insurance? Florida is a no-fault state when it comes to car insurance, which means that who pays for your medical bills after an accident in Florida can get a little complicated. 

Our team at Impact Med Zephyrhills discusses what coverage pays for your medical expenses and the importance of seeking care promptly following an accident.

Was Your Accident No-Fault? 

All Florida drivers much purchase no-fault vehicle insurance, commonly referred to as Personal Injury Protection, or PIP. This insurance covers you for less-serious injuries that you might sustain in a car accident. 

Generally, the rule is that each driver will put a claim in with their insurance following an accident even if they are at fault. If you suffer from severe injury, you may be able to bring a claim against the at-fault driver to recover your losses and get medical bills paid. 

Keep Reading> 10 Steps to Recovery After an Accident 

PIP Insurance Is Primary

At the core of Florida’s no-fault coverage, is Personal Injury Protection or PIP. This insurance pays your medical bills whether you caused the accident or not. It generally pays around 80% of your medical bills up to the policy limit stated in your insurance policy. You may also have a deductible that must be met before PIP kicks in. 

PIP insurance is the primary payer for your injuries following a car accident, even if you have health insurance. You must seek care within 14 days of your accident to receive your full PIP benefits. 

The great thing about PIP insurance is that it covers family members that live in your house, not just those who are listed as a driver on your auto policy. 

What PIP Covers

Florida’s no-fault laws dictate what kinds of medical services must be covered by your PIP insurance including:

• Medical, x-ray, surgical, dental, and rehabilitative care
• Hospital, ambulance, and nursing services
• Follow-up care and rehab

Caveats: 

• The treatment facility must be medically licensed
• A doctor’s order must be submitted for medical care
• Acupuncture and manual are NOT covered by PIP 

Med Pay Coverage

Medical payments coverage, called Med Pay, is like PIP. It typically pays for medical and funeral costs, but not living expenses or lost wages. It is often sold as an add-on coverage to PIP or as a less-expensive alternative to PIP. In Florida, Med Pay is considered an optional coverage. 

Health Insurance

Often, if you note that your injuries were sustained in a car accident, your health insurance provider might route the bills to your auto insurance company instead. (Especially if you haven’t exhausted your PIP or Med Pay benefits.)

Think of health insurance as the last resort to pay for your auto accident injuries, followed by paying out of pocket.

Coverage of Additional Bills 

Once you have exhausted your PIP coverage, the next step is supplemental Med Pay coverage (if you have it,) and then your health insurance. If your health insurance doesn’t cover all your bills, you may have to pay for some of your medical expenses out of pocket. 

Therefore, it is often recommended to purchase more than the minimum limit of $10,000 for your PIP insurance. If you have enough PIP to begin with, you won’t have to turn to Med Pay, health insurance, or your bank account to pay for your medical bills. 

Learn More> 5 Benefits of Cash-Pay Clinics 

Seek Medical Care Promptly 

As stated above, it is critical to receive medical treatment within 14 days of an accident to receive full PIP benefits. Don’t take a chance and forgo treatment, even if you feel fine. Your medical bills will be covered by your PIP benefits up to your policy limits, and then other coverage may kick in from there. 

Get medical attention after an accident from our cash-pay clinic at Impact Med Zephyrhills. We’re here to help you heal. Call for an appointment today—813-737-7965!