You are stopped at a red light. And all of a sudden you are rear-ended. The driver behind you was texting and drove directly into your back bumper. Your neck and back are hurting. You call the police and an ambulance takes you to the hospital where you incur expensive medical bills. Auto insurance is available to cover those bills, right? YES! If not, be sure to call us.
But what happens if you are not in a traditional motor vehicle accident? What if you are injured while someone is trying to steal your car? Did someone else close the car door on your fingers? What if a rock hits your windshield causing you to crash?
Should you use your health or auto insurance? What injuries will auto insurance cover?
By law your auto insurance pays first and then your health insurance. Any injuries “arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle” are covered under car insurance. All that is required is some link between a motor vehicle and the injury.
The law applies this concept broadly and extends insurance coverage to events you may have not realized are covered by car insurance. The vehicle does not have to be the physical cause of the injury.
Coverage even exists when the use of a vehicle sets into motion a chain of events that results in the injury. Said differently, coverage will be found to exist if the injuries “flow from,” “originate from” or otherwise “grow out of” the ownership, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle.
Generally, people who operate automobiles must exercise “reasonable care under the circumstances.” Failure to use reasonable care (negligence) is the basis in most lawsuits for damages caused by an automobile accident. Our auto accident attorneys in Tampa, Florida have the experience and skill required to successfully help you through the difficult time following an accident.
Remember, auto accident insurance comes in many different forms. In Florida, you can purchase coverage for:
- Personal injury protection (PIP) – Also known as no fault insurance and required in Florida. Pays expenses for medically necessary treatment and lost wages regardless of fault. You must receive initial services and care within 14 days after the motor vehicle accident. Our auto accident lawyers can explain PIP in more detail.
- Medical Payment Coverage (MedPay) – MedPay is additional coverage that supplements PIP and ensures that 100% of your medical bills are paid up to the amount you purchased.
- Bodily injury liability (BI) – Pays for injuries caused by you to others. If you are sued, BI will pay for your legal representation as well.
- Property damage liability (PD) – Pays for damage you cause to other people’s property (car etc.) in a motor vehicle accident. Required in Florida.
- Uninsured/Underinsured motorist (UM) – Adds to the coverage available from the at-fault party. Available to compensate you in the event the at-fault party has insufficient insurance coverage or no insurance coverage at all. It is estimated that one out of every six drivers on the road in Florida does not have insurance.
Thankfully, our legal system is set up to help people who have been hurt by the actions of others. However, sometimes to navigate through our legal system, you need the services of an experienced attorney.
Experienced Car Accident Lawyers On Your Side
The car accident attorneys at Clark | Martino, have been representing injured victims in the courtroom for nearly half of a century. Through the years, we’ve had to witness a lot of painful situations and answer many difficult questions. That is why we will do everything possible to ensure our clients are protected by the laws that were written especially for them.
We pride ourselves on being able to argue each case before a jury so that our clients receive the absolute best legal care they could have hoped for. Some of the rights we strive to attain for our clients include:
- Medical care for automobile related injuries
- A thorough medical evaluation by doctors who specialize in auto related injuries
- Ongoing care for disabilities
- A Tampa, Florida personal injury attorney who will listen to your case, help you understand what to expect, and empower you to face large insurance companies
- A personal injury lawyer who is experienced in and certified to take cases to trial
- Compensation for medical bills and property damage
- Reimbursement of lost pay and lost earning capacity
- Damages paid for pain, suffering, emotional trauma, and wrongful death
At Clark | Martino our practice areas include: auto accidents, truck accidents, motor cycle accidents, nursing home abuse and neglect, insurance coverage disputes, medical malpractice, wrongful death, premises liability, defective products, and consumer class actions and fraud.
Free Consultation For Injury Claims From A Car Accident
Here at Clark | Martino, we have over 40 years of experience ensuring that our clients receive the benefits to which they are entitled. If you are injured in connection to a vehicle or you are being denied coverage for your injuries, please call our office at 813-879-0700 to schedule a free consultation to review your rights.