Medical Payment Coverage is separate and distinct from PIP benefits whereas the PIP benefits will pay only 80% of the incurred medical expenses. Medical Payment Coverage will pay the remaining 20% of the incurred medical expenses. Should the PIP coverage be exhausted the full $10,000.00 being paid, the medical payment coverage will begin paying 100% of the incurred medical expenses until such coverage is exhausted. Medical pay is optional.  It is like gap insurance for your car.

Whenever the physical or mental condition of the insured is “material” to any claim for benefits the insurance company can require the patient to submit to an Independent Medical Examinations (IME).

Unlike cases involving liability insurance, PIP insurance companies select physicians of their choice. It is important to note that the right of the insurance company to obtain such exams is an integral part of the No-Fault Law. Accordingly, the patient/insured’s refusal to submit to a PIP independent medical exam (even when such refusal is on the advise of counsel) may constitute a material breach of the insurance contract. This will release the insurance company from further liability for payment.

The personal injury protection (PIP) law Florida Statute (§627.736(1)), requires every insurance company writing PIP policies to pay the following benefit after an auto accident:

80% of all reasonable expenses for necessary medical, surgical, X-ray, dental and rehabilitation service including prosthetic devices and necessary ambulance, hospital and nursing services. Such benefits shall include necessary remedial treatment and services recognized and permitted under the law of this state for an injured person who relies upon spiritual means through prayer alone for healing, in accordance with his religious beliefs.

1. Florida is no fault state, no matter who gets the ticket you are entitled to receive treatment.
2. If the accident is not your fault, insurance companies cannot raise your insurance premium even if you have been treated for injuries.
3. If you don’t have a legal status in the US you are still entitled to receive a minimum of $10,000.00 for treatment of medical benefits.
4. Many people don’t know that you have up to 1 year from the date of the accident to pursue medical and chiropractic care. However it is best that you seek care as soon as possible.
   Under the State of Florida Law you are entitled to receive a minimum of $10,000.00 for medical & chiropractic care.

1. Help everyone to a safe place
2. Don’t move your car unless instructed by someone in authority
3. Assist the injured
4. Call 911, Request police, medical and fire assistant as necessary
5. Do NOT discuss the accident with anyone but police
6. Turn on hazard lights and put out markers and flares as appropriate
7. Exchange information with all drivers involved in the accident
8. Get names, addresses and phone numbers of all witnesses
9. Get photographs of vehicles and other objects involved. Include skid marks, if any, and full views of scene
10. Write down everything the others involved in the accident say about it and everything you can remember as soon as you can

Some auto accident injuries are hidden and are seldom detected for months or even years. As a result things can occur when an injury is not taken care of properly or the accident victims settle their case with the insurance companies before getting evaluated by a doctor trained in soft tissue injuries. This could be a big mistake. Why? Because you lose the right to have your insurance company pay for treatment if you need it. A good rule of thumb is to be informed of your rights and then make a decision. It is our position that if you were indeed injured you should get the care you need to get back to the way you felt and functioned just before the accident.

It is not the responsibility of the insurance company to pay for anything more than that. They are not responsible for preexisting injuries only the injuries sustained from the accident. Even if you are just sore you should get checked out immediately because you may experience pain, numbness, headaches, muscle stiffness, fatigue, and other problems including arthritis many months down the road. Remember nothing is more important than your health especially when you start to lose it.