How to Recover Medical Expenses After a Car Accident in Palm Beach County, FL
Recovering medical expenses after a car accident in Palm Beach County is often crucial for victims dealing with serious injuries.
If you require compensation for your medical expenses after a car accident in Palm Beach County, you might be able to file a lawsuit. This depends on whether or not you have exceeded the limits of your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance policy. You will have two years from the accident date to recover medical expenses in a lawsuit. During your claim, you will have to submit proof of the negligent driver’s fault, as well as proof of your medical damages. This will come in the form of medical bills and invoices from your treatment. In addition to recovering compensation for your medical expenses, you can also get compensation for lost wages and emotional damages, provided your injuries are severe enough.
Call our Palm Beach County, FL car accident lawyers at (954) 751-4258 to get a free case review from The Law Offices of David I. Fuchs, Injury & Accident Lawyer, P.A. today.
Recovering Medical Expenses After a Car Accident in Palm Beach County, FL
Florida is a no-fault state for car accidents, making recovery of medical expenses a somewhat complicated topic. Regardless, victims should understand that they are entitled to full compensation for all medical expenses related to their car accident injuries, even if that exceeds the limits of their personal injury protection insurance policy.
Victims must first file claims with their PIP insurance when a car accident happens in Palm Beach County. Such policies are mandatory for all drivers in Florida. PIP can cover up to 80% of the medical expenses related to your injuries, such as surgeries, co-pays, prescriptions, and other medical costs. This can leave victims without sufficient compensation for their injuries, meaning the next step may be to file a lawsuit.
So, if your medical costs exceed the limits of your PIP policy, you can file a lawsuit to recover compensation for additional medical expenses. Furthermore, if you require additional compensation for other damages, such as lost wages, you might be able to file a lawsuit. In order to recover damages for pain and suffering following an auto accident in Palm Beach County, you must prove that your injuries meet Florida’s serious injury threshold.
Florida’s PIP system is complicated, so reach out to our Palm Beach County, FL personal injury lawyers with any questions about recovery of medical expenses and when you can file a lawsuit.
How Long Do You Have to Recover Medical Expenses After a Car Accident in Palm Beach County, FL?
Suppose you need your medical expenses compensated after a car accident in Palm Beach County and plan on filing a lawsuit. In that case, you must adhere to Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
Recently, Florida’s statute of limitations for car accident claims fell from four years to two. This cut the amount of time victims have to pursue compensation for medical expenses above their policy limits in half. Because of this shortened deadline, victims must act quickly following a car accident to ensure they have the opportunity to recover compensation for all medical expenses related to their injuries.
While there is tolling for delayed discovery in Palm Beach County, that rarely applies to car accident cases. Victims are expected to seek immediate medical attention for their injuries, especially after serious accidents. Suppose you remain unaware of your injuries for some time. In that case, the statute of limitations might not be paused, as delayed discovery in Florida is predicated on discovery of the tortious act, not the victim’s discovery of their injuries.
Suppose you do not bring your claim within two years of an accident. In that case, you will not be able to recover compensation for medical expenses above the limits of your personal injury protection insurance policy. Furthermore, there is a time limit on when victims can file PIP claims to recover medical expenses. Because of this, do not hesitate in the days and weeks following a car accident that causes you injury and begin the recovery process immediately.
What Proof Do You Need to Recover Medical Expenses After a Car Accident in Palm Beach County, FL?
You must submit proof of your damages to recover medical expenses after a car accident, whether in a lawsuit or a PIP claim. Otherwise, there is nothing to indicate you deserve compensation of any kind.
Submitting proof of damages is crucial to the success of any compensation claim. To ensure you have sufficient proof of your medical damages, keep all records of expenses related to your treatment. This includes invoices for surgeries, prescriptions, physical therapies, and visits with medical specialists.
Suppose you pause your medical treatment or delay medical attention for any reason. In that case, it might appear as though your injuries are unrelated to a negligent driver’s actions or do not warrant compensation. Having gaps in your medical treatment is not advised, as it might harm your case. So, heed the advice of all medical professionals treating you and carefully follow your treatment plan.
In addition to submitting proof of your medical damages, we will also use statements from medical experts to establish the future medical care you might require. This can allow you to recover compensation for future medical costs you have not yet incurred.
In car accident claims, victims often seek compensation for other damages, such as those for lost wages or pain and suffering. To recover compensation for such losses, you will need proof that they exist. Our attorneys will prove your lost wages and emotional difficulties through financial records, tax returns, and statements from mental health professionals in Palm Beach County.
Call Our Lawyers to Discuss Your Car Accident in Palm Beach County, FL
You can call The Law Offices of David I. Fuchs, Injury & Accident Lawyer, P.A. at (954) 751-4258 to have our Ft. Lauderdale car accident lawyers assess your case for free.