Are You Protected?

Any attorney will tell you that the two most important automobile coverages are Personal Injury Protection, referred to as PIP, and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage, called UM.

One of the mandated coverages for automobile insurance policies is Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Your basic PIP, also known as “No fault Insurance” will cover 80% of your reasonable and necessary medical expenses and 60% of your lost wages up to $10,000.00. You may also purchase “Extended Personal Injury Protection Coverage” which will cover 100% of your reasonable and necessary medical expenses and 80% of your lost wages if you are injured as a result of a motor vehicle accident regardless of fault. If you purchase Extended PIP Coverage, you can also purchase “Added PIP Coverage” which can increase your PIP limits from $10,000 to $100,000.

This “Added PIP Coverage” should not be overlooked as it is extremely inexpensive and potentially very useful. Assume you are involved in a motor vehicle accident where you are seriously injured. If this injury causes you to remain out of work for several months, you can utilize your added PIP coverage as an immediate disability insurance policy to cover 80% of your lost wages while you remain out of work. Most private or group disability policies require at least a three month waiting period before paying out any benefits.

The state of Florida does not mandate that all drivers carry liability insurance, therefore involvement in an accident with an uninsured or an underinsured vehicle can be a likelihood. You can overcome this problem by purchasing uninsured/ underinsured motorist coverage (UM), which is designed to protect you and your household family members, if you are injured as a result of a motor vehicle accident which is not your fault. In order to qualify for coverage, you must have sustained any of the following: (a) significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, (b) permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, other than scarring or disfigurement, (c) significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement or (d) death.

If you meet any of these criteria, you will be able to pursue your claim for UM benefits if the other vehicle is uninsured or underinsured. This would include a stolen vehicle or a vehicle that leaves the scene of the accident.

Assume that you are injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by an underinsured driver who only carries liability insurance of $100,000. The total amount of damages sustained by you is $300,000. If you purchased UM limits of at least $250,000 you would be able to collect your damages of $100, 000 from the other driver’s insurance company and the additional $200,000 from your own automobile insurance policy utilizing your UM coverage.

If you are able to purchase UM coverage, it would be wise to purchase “stacked” UM coverage. Stacking UM coverage provides additional UM coverage for each vehicle on the policy. For example, if you have $100,000/$300,000 stacked UM coverage with two vehicles on the policy, then you actually have $200,000/$600,000 in UM coverage under which to make a claim.

Finally, one should obtain at least a $1,000,000 excess liability policy (umbrella), with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage which will provide you with better protection for the liability surrounding your cars, your home and your boat. If your present carrier offers more than $1,000,000, jump on it.

Understanding the critical nature of being properly insured in order to protect you and your family is of paramount importance.

Bruce A. Glotzer has handled personal injury and workers compensation claims for more than 20 years. He is licensed to practice law in both Florida and New York. He is a member of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, The Association of Trial Lawyers, The Palm Beach County Bar Association and The New York Bar Association. He can be reached at 561-361-8677 or by e-mail at Bruce@Glotzerlaw.com.

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Glotzer & Kobren, P.A.
Boca Raton Personal Injury Lawyers

Telephone: 561-361-8677

What To Do in The Case of an Auto Accident

What should you do if you find yourself involved in an automobile accident in Florida? Keep these tips in mind——and in your car glove box!

Stop and Assist: Florida law requires the driver of any automobile involved in an accident to stop at the scene without blocking traffic. If someone is injured, contact an ambulance. You are not required to notify the police unless the accident involves injury or death of any person, or if damage exceeds of $500. It is always prudent to contact the police since it may be difficult to pursue a claim at a later time if you do not have a report.

Exchange Information but Do Not Comment: Florida law requires the drivers to exchange name’s, addresses and vehicle registration numbers. You should always write down the other driver’’s license and tag numbers, as well as the names, addresses and phone numbers of all witnesses. If possible, sketch a diagram of the accident scene and if you have a camera, take photographs of the damage to all involved vehicles. Aside from exchanging the basic information, keep your comments and opinions to yourself. This is not the time to admit you were careless or at fault.

Seek Medical Attention: Often when someone is injured in an accident, the emotional stress camouflages the physical symptoms and pain may not be experienced for 24 to 72 hours, or longer. It would be prudent to see a physician who is experienced in handling these types of injuries as soon as possible, even if you are not sure if you have been injured. If you delay treatment, not only may it be more difficult to treat the injuries later, but it may also make it more difficult to collect on a settlement, if necessary.

Determine Who is Responsible for Medical Expenses: If you are a resident of Florida and own an automobile you are required to purchase Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. PIP pays 80% of all reasonable expenses for your necessary medical care and treatment. You choose a physician who then bills your auto insurance company to pay 80% of your medical bill. As the insured, you are covered by PIP while driving your automobile or as a passenger in another automobile. You are also covered if you are injured by another automobile while you are riding a bicycle or walking/standing on the road as a pedestrian.

If you opted for liability (bodily injury) coverage, it will protect you from legal responsibility for injuries you may cause to others in an automobile accident. In this case, your insurance company will hire an attorney at no cost to you to defend you in Court against any bodily injury claim up to the limits of liability coverage you purchase.
Uninsured Motorist (UM) protection is one of the best insurance bargains and it is there to protect you. The UM coverage applies if you or someone else in your automobile was injured and the at-fault party has no or not enough bodily injury coverage to fairly compensate you. As was discussed above, bodily injury coverage is not mandatory in the State of Florida. You simply make a claim against your own insurance company. Your premium can not be raised nor can your coverage be dropped by paying out claims under your PIP or UM policies.

Select an Appropriate Attorney: Contact an attorney with experience in auto accidents. It is important not to allow anyone to rush you into a "quick settlement." You may be entitled to more benefits or a larger damage award. An attorney will safeguard your rights and assist you through this difficult time.

We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please contact us for a free consultation regarding your confidential situation at 561-361-8677 or e-mail us with your comments, questions or concerns.

Contact Us
Glotzer & Kobren, P.A.
Boca Raton Personal Injury Lawyers

Telephone: 561-361-8677

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