An accident on Rampart Road in Jacksonville, Florida left four injured. The accident occurred, according witnesses that called it in, when a car lost control and crashed into a water pipe and power pole at approximately 3 a.m. The road was not expected to be opened for approximately 5 hours afterward.
According to the police, the driver, who had three passengers in the car, lost control before running off the road. No one was wearing their seatbelt, which led to the driver being ejected from the car and the two rear passengers with life threatening injuries.
In Florida, the only insurance requirement for medical coverage is that a registered owner of a car must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) of $10,000.00, which covers medical expenses up to $10,000.00 regardless of fault. If the passengers do not have their own cars, then they may fall under the driver’s PIP insurance. If the passengers have their own car insurance, then that PIP coverage will pay their medical bills.
If the driver did have Bodily Injury coverage (BI), then the passengers will have a claim against the driver’s insurance company for their injuries and related damages (loss of enjoyment of life, out-of-pocket expenses, future medical, etc.). If the driver did not own the car, then the passengers may have the same claim against the owner of the car. If neither has BI coverage, then the only recourse against the driver and/or owner is a personal suit that would attach to personal assets. A claim for such injuries must be filed with the court within four (4) years of the date of the accident.
However, if the passengers have their own car insurance, then they may have Uninsured Motorist coverage (UM), which would provide another form of insurance relief for their injuries and related damages.
It may be helpful to speak with an attorney about what options may exist when involved in an accident. Sometimes insurance coverage can be difficult to understand when it comes to paying for your injuries or recovering your damages.