Tag Archives: attorneys tampa

What is personal injury protection?

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Blick Law

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is a mandatory coverage on Florida car insurance policies that covers medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. The original purpose of PIP coverage was to make sure that anyone injured in an auto accident would quickly receive money to treat their injuries. In Florida, all drivers are obligated to obtain a minimum of $10,000 PIP coverage for medical bills and lost wages following an auto accident.

Due to rampant fraud and misappropriation of PIP coverage in Florida, insurance companies have lobbied to pass PIP insurance reform to limit the types of treatment available to crash victims covered by PIP, and limit the amount of coverage in order to avoid abuse and fraud.

The new PIP law, which took effect January 1, 2013, requires that persons injured in an accident must begin medical services and care within 14-days of the accident in order to be eligible for PIP benefits. The law also requires that injured persons obtain their initial medical treatment from specific medical entities. The initial treatment must be administered by the following:

  • Emergency medical services personnel
  • Hospital
  • Facility that owns or is wholly owned by a hospital
  • Medical doctor, dentist, chiropractor or osteopath.

Additionally, the new law bans the use of PIP dollars to pay for massage or acupuncture treatments and will limit the payout for non-emergency treatment of accident-related injuries to $2,500.00. A widespread concern is that accident victims with serious injuries won’t be able to get the care they need if they sustain an injury such as a whiplash or herniated disc because these injuries may not qualify as an emergency.

Nonetheless, supporters of the new law insist that the reform will contribute to overall lower insurance premiums and provide much needed relief to Florida drivers.

If you or a loved one have been a victim of an auto accident and have questions concerning your rights, call Blick Law Firm today at 813-931-0840 to schedule a free 15 minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer. Think quick, call Blick!

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What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Blick Law

Auto accidents can be devastating, and often times result in not only property damage, but also severe injuries that require extensive medical attention and treatment. Insurance coverage is vital in helping car accident victims afford the medical care they need and provides assistance in replacing the loss of property incurred when involved in a serious accident.

Florida requires that all automobile owners who register and operate a vehicle must have Florida insurance. In Florida, the mandatory minimum coverage is $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 property damage liability (PDL) as long as you have a valid Florida license plate.

While these mandatory minimums are in place, many Florida drivers operate vehicles without any automobile insurance coverage. As a protection against Uninsured Motorists, insurance companies provide Uninsured Motorist Coverage. Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage provides for payment of certain benefits for damages caused by owners or operators of uninsured vehicles that cause injury resulting from an automobile accident. Such benefits include payment for medical expenses, lost wages, and even pain and suffering.

It is important for all drivers to consider adding UM coverage to their existing policy to protect themselves and their families from injuries and loss caused in an auto accident by uninsured motorists.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of an auto accident and have questions concerning your rights, call Blick Law Firm today at 813-931-0840 to schedule a free 15 minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer. Think quick, call Blick!

 

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What to do when in a Car Accident!

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Blick Law

Auto accidents can be devastating, and injuries sustained in an accident can begin a timeline of treatment and therapy that can take months to complete. If you are involved in an auto accident, it is always important to know what steps to undertake to protect yourself and your potential personal injury case.

If you are involved in an auto accident, it is critical to first seek medical attention. After an auto accident, it is best to go immediately to the hospital or other treatment facility to determine the extent of your injuries and pinpoint the necessary steps of rehabilitation that might be required.

If the injuries sustained in the accident are not severe or life threatening, it is important to gather necessary information about the accident for purposes of supporting your potential legal suit. Important information to gather includes:

Identification of all occupants: including names, phone numbers, addresses and even emails.

Photos of the Damage: photograph all damages, including both vehicle and surrounding property damage.

Photos of the Accident Scene: photograph any debris, skid marks and also the position of the vehicles involved in the collision; and

Information of Responding Officer(s) and Ambulance: Request any and all identifying information on the officer(s) and Ambulance that respond to the incident

Injured parties should also always contact an attorney for legal consultation and general information on how to proceed following an accident. In the event an insurance company contacts you regarding your injury claim, do not offer any recorded statements without first consulting with an attorney.

If you or a loved one have been in an accident and need legal advice, call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer.

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What is a soft tissue injury?

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Blick Law

Parties to an accident are often times contacted by insurance companies in an attempt to get personal injury victims to settle an injury claim quickly, and for a non-negotiated amount. Before a settlement offer is even discussed, it is extremely important to first know the extent of your injuries.

Usually, the severity of damage sustained in an accident is not easily determined, and in many cases an injured party may suffer soft tissue or latent injuries that do not arise until much later. However, once a settlement agreement is made and tendered, an injured party releases their right to recovery for injuries related to that particular incident.

If you are involved in an auto accident, it is always important to first seek medical attention. After an auto accident, it is best to go immediately to the hospital or other treatment facility to determine the extent of your injuries and pinpoint the necessary steps of rehabilitation that might be required.

Secondly, an injured party should always contact an attorney for legal consultation and general information on how to proceed following an accident. In the event an insurance company contacts you regarding your injury claim, do not offer any recorded statements without first consulting with an attorney.

If you or a loved one have been in an accident and need legal advice, call Blick Law Firm today @ (813) 931-0840. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer.

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Personal Injury harmful for unborn children?

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Blick Law

Auto accidents can be devastating, and injuries sustained in an accident can begin a timeline of treatment and therapy that can take months to complete. In the event an injured party is pregnant, more complications obviously arise.

It is important to understand the possible trauma that can occur to a pregnant woman in an auto accident, and the effect it could have on the fetus. Physical trauma can include negative effects such as Placental Separation, Bleeding, Premature Labor, and may even require an Emergency C-section to be performed.

Emotional trauma as a result of an accident can also have negative reaching effects on a pregnancy. The stress that results from involvement in an auto accident can cause pre-term labor, and negatively affect the health of the fetus. It is especially important to see a doctor following an auto accident in order to assess any potential trauma, as well as seek legal counsel pertaining to the potential claim for you and your unborn child. Signs of negative effects to the health of the fetus may include dizziness, fainting, vomiting, headaches, and stomach pain.

If you or a loved one are involved in an auto accident and have questions or concerns regarding recovery for your injuries, call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840. Call to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer.

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Effects of an Auto Accident while Pregnant

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Blick Law

 Auto accidents can be devastating, and injuries sustained in an accident can begin a timeline of treatment and therapy that can take months to complete. In the event an injured party is pregnant, more complications obviously arise.

It is important to understand the possible trauma that can occur to a pregnant person in an auto accident, and the effect it could have on a fetus. Physical trauma can include negative effects such as Placental Separation, Bleeding, Premature Labor, and may even require an Emergency C-section to be performed.

Emotional trauma as a result of an accident can also have negative reaching effects on a pregnancy. The stress that results from involvement in an auto accident can cause pre-term labor, and negatively affect the health of the fetus. It is especially important to see a doctor following an auto accident in order to assess any potential trauma, as well as seek legal counsel pertaining to the potential claim for you and your unborn child. Signs of negative effects to the health of the fetus may include dizziness, fainting, vomiting, headaches, and stomach pain.

If you or a loved one are involved in an auto accident and have questions or concerns regarding recovery for your injuries, call Blick Law Firm today at (813) 931-0840.Call to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with attorney Michael Blickensderfer.

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