Florida Personal Injury Protection Reform

Last Friday, March 2, the Florida House of Representatives approved legislation that would crack down on PIP insurance fraud. Florida has become the leader in staged accidents for profit. Said House Speaker Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park), "Florida has unfortunately become a national leader in the area of auto accident fraud, and as a result, Florida families are paying more each month because of individuals scamming the system. House Bill 119 takes a good first step in ensuring those injured in an automobile accident receive the medical attention they need at the time they need it most, and helps to ensure Floridians aren't absorbing the high costs of automobile accident fraud."

If you have been injured in an auto accident, you need aggressive representation. Contact the auto accident lawyers in Spring Hill at Lowman Law Firm for a free case evaluation.

House Bill 119 reforms Florida's Personal Injury Protection insurance system by adopting the framework of the Medical Care Coverage (MCC) Law. Under the law, policyholders will retain minimum coverage of $10,000 and the availability to recover lost wages and receive funeral benefits. Additionally, the bill makes the following changes to Florida's no-fault motor vehicle insurance laws:

• Bases the coverage of medical services either on the severity of the injury as determined by medical professionals in a hospital emergency department within 7 days after the accident or on injured parties going directly to specified health care providers within 7 days after the accident;
• Covers a range of services including emergency transport, diagnosis and treatment, and follow up services related to the initial diagnosis;
• Requires insurers to file new rates to reflect the cost savings resulting from the bill;
• Caps attorney fees in individual disputes;
• Establishes a presumption that, unless rebutted by clear and convincing evidence, the determination by a physician of an emergency medical condition is correct;
• Establishes a 30-day payment delay period when fraud is suspected;
• Bars the payment of benefits to anyone who submits false material statements or information related to an automobile accident;
• Strengthens law enforcement's ability to investigate and prosecute fraud by specifying fraudulent acts and increasing penalties; and
• Creates a presumption, unless otherwise disputed, that an insured person's failure to appear for two examinations is an unreasonable refusal or failure to submit to the examination (which is required to receive benefits).

The legislation will now move to the Florida Senate for further consideration.

Were You In An Auto Accident In Spring Hill? Talk Directly To A Spring Hill Auto Accident Lawyer

It’s very unfortunate, but here in Florida there’s been extensive coverage of fraudulent accidents staged for profit. If you have been involved in a car accident and were injured, cover your bases by contacting one of the tenacious Spring Hill auto accident lawyers at Lowman Law Firm.