The New PIP Statute and its Effects on Accident Victims:
The new Personal Injury Protection PIP Statute that was recently passed in Florida may be a triumph for insurance companies˳ The law places new limits on the amount of benefits a person can receive as well as the amount of money awarded during a claim˳ This may result in substantial personal expenses for individuals involved in pedestrian and bicycle accidents, car accidents and motorcycle accidents˳ The course of litigation may be affected as well because of the new PIP provisions˳
The large number of personal injury lawsuits filed in the past may be to blame for the new legislative changes˳ Whether individuals were involved in truck, pedestrian and bicycle accidents, car accidents and motorcycle accidents, the old insurance Statutes did not provide boundaries on certain aspects of coverage˳ Limits on lawyer fees and restrictions on medical treatment were not clearly defined in recent PIP laws˳ As a result, many insurance companies raised their rates in response to the increase in PIP claims˳
This new law may significantly affect urgent care due to the strict classifications of injury protection and medical treatment˳ Individuals who need medical care must seek treatment from an acceptable health-care provider within a two week period˳ This can adversely affect anyone who needs a longer time frame to initiate medical care˳ Drunk driving victims and those involved in pedestrian and bicycle accidents may need immediate care, but victims of car accidents may take longer to begin treatment˳
New guidelines in the PIP Statute restrict coverage for various types of alternative treatments as well˳ Car accidents and motorcycle accidents victims or anyone suffering from a spinal cord injury will only receive a $2500 cap for all treatment if a victim does not treat within 14 days of the car wreck under the new law˳ Acupuncture, massage therapy and other holistic treatments are completely omitted from PIP coverage˳ Victims of motorcycle accidents and those involved in truck and bicycle accidents may need to pay exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses˳
The changes in PIP coverage may provide insurance companies with substantial monetary gains˳ Although the new law details a plan for the gradual reduction of rates, the savings is minimal for consumers when compared to the total premium payments˳ When it comes to more severe damages such as a spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury, the 25% rate reduction may do little for the victim’s wallet˳ Because the amount of medical benefits has decreased, an injured party may need to use his or her primary health insurance to cover treatment˳
Individuals who are involved in accidents have rights that need to be protected due to the nature of the new PIP law˳ A qualified attorney will put the victim first˳ A decrease in funds for policy holders should not affect the type of therapy, treatment or legal protection an individual receives˳ If there are any questions about this new law and for victim rights you should contact a legal lawyer immediately˳
Source by https://ezinearticles˳com/?The-New-PIP-Statute&id=7165438
