How To File A Claim As A Bus Accident Passenger In Florida and Hallandale Beach
If you’ve been injured as a bus accident passenger in Florida or Hallandale Beach, the process of filing a personal injury claim may seem daunting. However, with the help of Jared Spingarn, P.A., an experienced bus accident attorney, it can be easy to get the compensation you deserve. Jared’s experienced team can guide you on how to file a claim as a bus accident passenger and what to expect during the claims process.
Depending on the severity of the accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. This article will discuss what steps you should take after a bus accident, as well as how long after an accident you have to file a bus accident injury claim in Florida.
What is Florida’s no-fault law?
Before discussing how to file a personal injury claim after a bus accident, you must first understand what Florida’s laws are. Florida is a no-fault state. This means that you can file a personal injury claim with your insurance company regardless of who caused the bus accident. Your insurance company should cover your medical bills and lost wages.
Florida car insurance companies are required to include personal injury protection or PIP insurance in each auto insurance policy. This will make paying for your medical bills much easier through your own insurance.
If the bus accident was caused by the negligence of the bus driver or bus company, you may file a personal injury claim with the insurance of the bus company or bus driver.
However, you are only able to file a personal injury claim against the bus driver or bus company if you have suffered serious injuries, such as permanent disability or death. If you only suffered minor injuries, your personal insurance coverage should be enough to cover your medical bills after a bus accident.
Insurance Options in Florida
Buses are among the safest modes of transportation in Florida. Whether you are riding a regular bus, school bus, or tour bus, you will feel safer as a passenger in a large vehicle. But even the most cautious bus driver can get into a bus accident due to several reasons. Bus accident victims often file a personal injury claim to help them recover compensation after sustaining a bus accident injury.
Understanding different types of insurance policies can ensure that you have the right insurance coverage if and when a bus crash happens. An insurance policy will ensure that you can file for personal injury claims and recover compensation for the bus accident injuries you sustained. When filing a personal injury claim, make sure to get in touch with the law firm of Jared Spingarn, P.A. first. They have experienced personal injury lawyers who can facilitate the process of filing a bus accident claim.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance Coverage
In Florida, an auto insurance policy is required to have PIP coverage. This is also known as “no-fault” insurance. PIP will pay for your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages if you are injured in a car or bus crash, regardless of who was at fault.
PIP insurance covers 80% of your medical expenses to $10,000, and 60% of any lost wages, up to a maximum of $5,000. $10,000 in medical expenses might seem like a lot, but it can be used up quickly if you need surgery or have an extended hospital stay. If your injuries are serious, you could easily exceed this amount. That’s why it’s important to have health insurance in addition to PIP insurance.
An important thing to know is that you carry PIP insurance wherever you go. So, if you are involved in a Florida bus crash where you are the passenger, you can file a bus passenger injury claim to receive your PIP benefits. Likewise, if you were driving a car and hit a bus, you can still avail your PIP benefits.
Sometimes, the injured victim doesn’t have any type of insurance coverage. In this case, if the victim was hit by a car while riding a bike or was involved in a collision between a bus and a car, they can still file a personal injury claim under the PIP coverage of their family member. As long as they reside in the same household, their medical bill should be covered by the policy in case of a bike crash.
Property Damage Liability (PDL) Insurance
PDL coverage is also required in a Florida auto insurance policy. If you cause an accident that damages another person’s property, such as their car or bicycle, PDL will pay for the repairs. The minimum amount of PDL insurance in Florida is $10,000.
Health Insurance
If you have health insurance, it will likely cover any medical expenses that exceed your PIP coverage limit. This is important if you want to file a bus passenger injury claim. Often, personal injury claims after bus accidents exceed the coverage offered by PIP insurance.
If you don’t have health insurance, you may be responsible for paying any remaining medical bills yourself. You should check with your health insurance provider to see what type of coverage you have and to understand your policy’s limitations.
Bodily Injury Liability Insurance Coverage
Bodily injury liability is not required in Florida auto insurance. This type of insurance is designed to protect you if you cause an accident that results in injuries to another person. If the other person sues you, bodily injury liability will pay for your legal expenses, up to the limit of your policy. It will also pay any settlements or judgments against you, up to the limit of your policy.
The minimum amount of bodily injury liability insurance in Florida is $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident. If you were a bus passenger in a Florida bus accident, you can file a bus passenger injury claim under the BIL coverage of the party at fault. Make sure to get a free consultation with the law firm of Jared Spingarn, P.A. to know how to go about this process.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Insurance Coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage protects you if you are hit by a driver who does not have insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage protects you if you are hit by a driver who does not have enough insurance to cover your medical expenses and other damages.
This type of insurance is not required in Florida, but it can be purchased as part of your auto insurance policy. The minimum amount of uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance in Florida is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
How to File a Bus Passenger Injury Claim
Bus accidents can result in severe injuries. You may need future medical treatment if you suffered injuries that gravely affected your way of life. Filing an accident claim is important so you can pursue the compensation that you deserve.
How to file a claim as a bus accident passenger? After an accident, a bus passenger injury claim is usually filed first under your PIP coverage. You can also file a claim under the BIL coverage of the driver that hit the bus you were riding. If the driver does not have BIL, you can use your UM/UIM coverage.
But if your insurance coverage is still not enough to pay for the hospital bills and other losses, you can opt to take legal action and file a personal injury lawsuit. You should seek a free consultation from the law firm of Jared Spingarn, P.A. They can provide you with competent and knowledgeable personal injury lawyers who have successfully handled numerous bus accident claims.
1. Notify your insurance company.
The first thing you need to do when filing your personal injury claim is to notify your insurance carrier. If you have direct contact with your insurance agent, this can help speed up the process. When speaking to the agent, make sure to give just an overview of the type of crash that you were in as well as the injuries you sustained.
2. Gather all important evidence.
Next, gather all the evidence that you have regarding the crash. You must have a copy of your medical records and hospital bills. Pictures and videos of the accident scene are also helpful when filing your claim.
3. Consult with Jared Spingarn, P.A.
Get in touch with Jared Spingarn, P.A. for a free consultation. Jared’s law firm can help you take the correct legal steps after the bus accident. They can also help you gather any evidence that you may have missed. Your lawyers will also speak with the insurance company on your behalf to ensure that you receive fair compensation.
How to Claim after a Bus Accident in Hallandale Beach
Can you claim if you are riding a bus that crashes in Hallandale Beach? In this case, you can also file a claim under your insurance company. After a bus accident, it is best to contact a bus accident lawyer to know what your options are and how you can get compensated for the damages. The offices of Jared Spingarn, a personal injury attorney, can help you file a claim. The steps you need to take in Hallandale Beach are generally the same as when filing a claim after any motor vehicle accident in the state of Florida.
How long after an accident do you have to file a claim in Florida?
In Florida, there is a statute of limitations in case of a motor vehicle crash, including a bus accident. When filing a claim under your PIP coverage, you have 14 days to seek medical treatment after the accident. If you exceed the 14-day limit, your insurance company may deny your claim.
If you plan on filing a lawsuit against the party at fault, the statute of limitations for personal injuries is four years from the date of the accident. However, if the collision resulted in a fatality, you will have only two years from the date of death of the accident victim to file a lawsuit. Jared Spingarn, P.A. can help you with this process. Be sure to contact their office immediately after you get into an accident.
Conclusion
Filing a claim after a bus accident in Florida can be challenging. Insurance adjusters will work hard to reduce the settlement amount you receive. Even if you have all the proper documents with you, you can still end up receiving a smaller amount than you deserve.
In a case like this, it is best to seek the advice of Jared Spingarn, P.A. Accident Attorney. Jared has handled thousands of clients through his years of practice. These clients include victims of car accidents, bus accidents, bike accidents, wrongful death, and more. An attorney from Jared’s firm will guide you on how to file a claim as a bus accident passenger. Your personal injury lawyer will work with you every step of the way to ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve.
>> If you’re involved in a bus accident in Florida, don’t hesitate to reach out to Jared Spingarn, Accident Attorney at 1-954-781-2316 for a Free Case Review or drop a message on their Contact Us page.
