West Miami, a small and vibrant city nestled in the heart of Miami-Dade County, may not be the busiest part of South Florida, but car accidents still occur on its streets. Whether you’re driving on SW 8th Street or another thoroughfare, it’s important to understand how Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance works in Florida. If you’ve been involved in a car accident in West Miami, Perkins Law Offices is here to guide you through the legal process and ensure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to under Florida law.
Understanding PIP Insurance Under Florida’s No-Fault Law
Florida is a no-fault insurance state, meaning that if you are involved in a car accident, your own insurance will cover your medical bills and lost wages up to a certain amount, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. This is where Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance comes into play.
PIP insurance is mandatory in Florida, and every driver is required to carry a minimum of $10,000 in coverage. This insurance is designed to cover:
- 80% of medical bills resulting from an accident.
- 60% of lost wages due to the inability to work.
- Death benefits of up to $5,000.
However, there are important limitations to how PIP works. Under Florida Statutes 627.736, if your injuries are not classified as an Emergency Medical Condition (EMC) by a qualified medical professional, your PIP coverage is capped at $2,500 instead of the full $10,000.
What is an Emergency Medical Condition (EMC)?
An Emergency Medical Condition (EMC) is defined by Florida law as a medical condition that requires immediate attention and could result in serious jeopardy to the patient’s health, serious impairment to bodily functions, or serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part. To qualify for the full $10,000 in PIP benefits, a qualified doctor must diagnose an EMC.
Qualified medical professionals who can diagnose an EMC include:
- Medical doctors (MDs)
- Osteopathic physicians (DOs)
- Advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs)
- Physician assistants (PAs)
Without an EMC diagnosis, you are only entitled to $2,500 in PIP coverage, which may not cover all of your medical expenses and lost wages after an accident.
Client Reviews Speak for Themselves
At Perkins Law Offices, we pride ourselves on delivering results and providing exceptional legal service. Our clients have left glowing reviews about our commitment to them. Here’s what a few clients had to say:
- Vanessa J:
“I hired Perkins Law Firm to handle my accident case, and I’m very pleased with the results. Mr. Padilla was very informative and worked hard to get me the best offer on my case. I would recommend them anytime.” - Leonela Janssen:
“Mi caso fue un caso de resbalón y caída y fue resuelto de una manera efectiva gracias a que estuvo en manos de Perkins Law Offices. El señor Perkins hizo un excelente trabajo junto con el señor Padilla y Karla. Todos ellos pusieron su mejor esfuerzo y experiencia logrando así un resultado excelente.”
Our track record shows that Perkins Law Offices is consistently rated among the best personal injury lawyers in Miami by independent sources like Martindale-Hubbell, Avvo, and Super Lawyers.
Why Hire Perkins Law Offices?
Having handled personal injury cases for over two decades, Alex Perkins has the expertise to deal with the most complex car accident cases. We fight aggressively to ensure that our clients receive the maximum compensation they are entitled to under the law. We also understand how to navigate the PIP process and the complexities of dealing with insurance companies to secure the best possible outcome.
Call Perkins Law Offices Today
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in West Miami, you need an experienced legal team to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Call us today at 305-741-5297 or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation. At Perkins Law Offices, we don’t get paid unless you get paid.
