Can Someone Sue You for a Car Accident in Florida?

When you’ve been in an accident, talk to a local car accident lawyer for help and guidance in getting the money you’re owed. 

Generally speaking, when it comes to suffering injuries and damages in a car accident in Florida, you have to turn to your own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance first to get compensation. 

This is because Florida is what’s called a “no-fault” state for car insurance purposes. This means in the event of an accident, you’re required to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and property damages from your own insurance company, whether someone else was responsible for the accident or not. 

However, in certain circumstances, you may be able to sue someone else for a car accident in Florida—or they may be able to sue you. Read on to learn more about how this works. 

Suing for a Car Accident in Florida

After a car accident, a person’s Florida PIP insurance, which has a $10,000 minimum, will cover them up to their policy limits. In Florida, all drivers are required to carry PIP insurance for their own protection after an accident. 

However, there are clear limitations to this system. 

For starters, PIP will only pay up to 80 percent of your medical bills and 60 percent of your lost wages. If your damages exceed your policy limits, you could be left with unpaid bills. 

Finally, PIP will not compensate you for other damages, such as non-economic pain and suffering. 

However, stepping outside of the PIP system isn’t impossible. Three common scenarios that allow drivers in Florida to file a third-party claim with the at-fault party’s insurance include:

• Damages Exceed PIP Policy Limits – If someone has suffered severe damages and PIP isn’t able to fully cover these, they may be able to sue the other driver. 

• Your Injuries Meet the Legal Injury Threshold – Florida law identifies some serious injuries—such as those that include disfigurement, amputation, or permanent loss of bodily functions—that could automatically allow someone to sue.

• Wrongful Death – The family of the deceased can file a claim against the at-fault party when negligence was involved. 

Unsure whether you’re able to sue or if someone can sue you for a car accident in Florida? An experienced car crash lawyer can help. 

Let a Car Accident Lawyer Review Your Claim Today

If you’ve been severely injured in a Florida car accident, you may be entitled to compensation above and beyond that offered by the PIP system. And if you’ve injured someone else in such a way, it is possible that someone can sue you. With The Law Offices of Casey D. Shomo, our car accident attorneys can go to bat for you. 

Call 561-659-6366 or fill out the form below for more information.