There are few things more devastating to your life than a serious car accident. If your injuries are serious, resulting in tons of medical debt and costs, you need help – now. Unfortunately, Florida’s 14-Day Rule, a part of our Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance system, requires injured parties to seek medical attention very soon after an injury. If you forget to get help, underestimate your injuries or are overwhelmed with the situation, losing your right to insurance coverage is possible. Probinsky & Cole can assist after a Florida accident, whether you need to file a lawsuit or negotiate with insurance to secure what you need.
What Florida’s 14-Day Rule Covers – and What It Means for You
Florida Statute 627.736 is designed to help injured Florida drivers get quick access to PIP benefits after a car accident, regardless of fault. PIP insurance provides up to $10,000 in coverage, but there’s a catch: you must seek medical assistance within two weeks of the accident to be eligible for insurance benefits. Generally, this rule is strictly enforced and used by insurance providers to minimize their costs, so missing the window means forfeiting your PIP benefits entirely.
If you see a doctor or visit the ER within this timeframe, your PIP insurance will typically cover:
- Emergency room visits for immediate care
- Primary care consultations for diagnosis and ongoing treatment
- Specialist visits to address specific injuries
- Chiropractic care for back or neck injuries
- Dental services if oral injuries occurred
- Hospital stays and follow-up care
- Urgent care visits for non-life-threatening injuries
The 14-Day Rule may not seem fair to Florida drivers, but it has a few properties that impact the Florida insurance and accident assistance landscape. It reduces the risk of fraudulent claims by requiring medical issues to be evaluated soon after the accident, and it encourages accident victims to seek care immediately. A fast health recovery also has the added benefit of creating medical evidence of injuries for both insurers and injured parties to use in court or negotiations.
What Happens If You Miss the 14-Day Deadline?
While missing the 14-day window for PIP benefits is a setback, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re out of options. The 14-Day Rule strictly applies to insurance benefits, primarily affecting your ability to access PIP coverage. However, Florida law still allows for legal action; the primary way to pursue compensation is through a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver, even if you didn’t meet the 14-day deadline for PIP.
So, how can the personal injury attorneys at Probinsky & Cole help after you miss the 14-day deadline in Florida? Working with our team, you can:
- Begin the process of filing a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver for serious injuries if your medical bills exceed PIP limits or if you missed the 14-day window.
- If the other driver’s insurance cannot fully cover your damages, explore compensation routes through uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
- Negotiate medical payment coverage through your auto insurance, which may still cover medical expenses even if you missed the PIP deadline.
Don’t let the 14-day deadline cost you dearly. At Probinsky & Cole, our attorneys understand how confusing everything can be—insurance, health care, legal fights—after you are involved in a serious automobile accident. If, on top of this general confusion, you can’t get the funds you need? The stress must be immense.
Our personal injury attorneys know you need help once you miss this deadline, and lawsuits may be the only way to secure much-needed compensation for your medical bills. Contact our team today, discuss your situation, and learn how we can help you fight for what is right after a Florida car accident.
