New PIP Laws as of Jan 1st, 2013 – They Affect You!
***IMPORTANT LAW CHANGE THAT AFFECTS ALL PERSONS***
Personal Injury Protection coverage (also known as PIP) is mandatory coverage in the State of Florida for every vehicle owner because Florida is a “no fault state.” This means that your own insurance company pays for the majority of your medical bills and wage loss, in some instances, (in accordance with your policy limits), regardless of who is at fault for the accident.
As of 01/01/2013, in order to receive PIP benefits accident victims MUST get medical treatment within 14 days from the accident and only from certain type of health care providers: A licensed physician, osteopathic physician, chiropractic physician, licensed dentist, physician’s assistant or must be rendered in a hospital, a facility that owns or is owned by a hospital, or a licensed emergency transportation and treatment provider. IF MEDICAL TREATMENT IS NOT RECEIVED FROM AN ACCEPTABLE PROVIDER WITHIN 14 DAYS, THERE IS NO COVERAGE UNDER PIP.
In order to receive follow-up treatment, the attending provider must diagnose that the injured person has an EMERGENCY MEDICAL CONDITION. Additionally a LONG FORM POLICE REPORT must be completed by the investigating agency in most instances.
There are several other steps that must be followed in order to be eligible for follow-up care and to be eligible for the entire amount of PIP benefits. If you are injured in an automobile accident, I urge you to seek immediate medical attention at the closest emergency room or medical clinic. If the emergency medical technicians at the scene recommend that you travel in the ambulance to the hospital, do it. Don’t guess about how badly you’re injured in an automobile collision; let the medical experts check you and let you know for sure.
Daniel L. Hightower, Lawyer, P.A. is a Central Florida law office specializing in car accidents, wrongful death, personal injury, work accidents, social security disability, and bankruptcy. If the Law Office of Daniel L. Hightower can be of assistance to you, please contact us today at 352-629-7777.