Right now, Florida does not have the right kind of coverage requirements for automobile insurance in my opinion; however, that may soon change. On February 15, 2021 Senate Bill 54 passed its second Senate Committee vote; it looks like it is gaining momentum and might actually become law. This will eliminate Personal Injury Protection (PIP), also referred to as Florida’s famous “No Fault” insurance. The term “No Fault” is thrown around so loosely and so inaccurately, so in my view it is going to be a good thing if this bill passes and becomes law. It will be mandatory to have Bodily Injury (BI) coverage; Bodily Injury coverage is not required in the state of Florida as of now.  FloridaSenate.gov states that the bill also creates a new framework to govern motor vehicle insurance claims for bad faith failure to settle. The bill provides that in a third-party action for bad faith failure to settle not brought under statue 624.155, Florida Senate., the insurer is not liable for bad faith if the insurer tenders policy limits within 30 days of receiving a demand for settlement. “Florida is one of only two states in the country that does not currently require drivers to carry liability coverage that would immediately kick in if they cause the bodily injury or death of another person while operating a motor vehicle,” said Senate President Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby). “PIP coverage is outdated and doesn’t protect consumers. It’s the right time for Florida to move to mandatory coverage for bodily injury liability.”

It is amazing how quickly a car accident actually happens. If you have ever been involved in one, you know exactly what I mean. Depending on the severity of the accident, you may find yourself in a daze, nervous, or downright scared. To the extent possible, here is a list of things to do after a car accident to help you preserve a legal claim that you may bring later.
First, check to see if everyone involved is ok. If not, call 911 immediately and respond to the questions appropriately. Second, move the vehicles to a safe place if you are still in the road and the cars are drive-able. Third, start documenting the scene with photos of the vehicles (including the license tags), the scene (skid marks, broken glass, etc.), persons involved in the crash, and try to get information of any witnesses that may be in the area. You would be surprised how quickly witnesses disappear and how frequently they are not included in the accident report.
Lastly, and if the other driver has admitted fault for the accident, try to get that admission in a short video with the other driver’s permission (or at least make it very obvious that you are taking video). You would be incredibly surprised how often a person will admit fault at the scene verbally and then completely change his or her mind when talking to the insurance company just a few minutes later. If you have a documented statement of fault, the insurance company will have a very difficult time fighting the liability of your claim later.
Once you have done your best to document all aspects of the crash, call an attorney you trust in the field of personal injury to answer any questions you may have. Trust me, you will have some. If you do not have an attorney in your phone to call from the scene, call 833-VASTOLA to speak directly to me, attorney Jeff Vastola. That number numerically is 833-827-8652 and it forwards to my cell phone. I encourage anyone to call me, no matter what time or what day it is. At Vastola Legal, we focus on personal injury and wrongful death claims, and we work very closely with all our clients so that you are comfortable making decisions throughout your case.