Work With an Experienced Fort Walton Car Accident Lawyer
In Florida, the passage of Senate Bill 54 (SB54) has potentially changed insurance coverage for millions of drivers throughout the state and could have significant impacts on those drivers who are involved in car accidents.
Curious about what SB54 does, and its consequences? Let’s explore how a car accident dispute could be affected by the passage of SB54.
What is Senate Bill 54?
SB54 was passed with the intention of granting drivers broader and more significant insurance coverage by default.
In Florida, the current system of baseline insurance coverage is known as Personal lnjury Protection (PIP), and it is a no-fault system whereby injured persons (in car accident scenarios) may obtain up to $10,000 in compensation to cover their damages, whether or not they are at-fault for the car accident.
SB54 proponents believe that PIP is insufficient. $10,000 is simply not enough to cover damages in the 21st century. As such, SB54 repeals the PIP system and requires that Floridians purchase mandatory bodily injury coverage worth at least $25,000.
Seems like a positive, right? It could be, but detractors have some concerns about what SB54 could lead to in practical terms.
Consequences of Senate Bill 54 for Car Accident Disputes
The passage of SB54 would seem to be friendly to the interests of injured drivers in the car accident context, but there may be negative outcomes, too.
One concern that detractors have is that higher baseline insurance requirements will lead to higher rates overall. Some industry observers believe that rates could go up as much as 20 to 40 percent!
If rates go up, then many Floridians may not be able to afford insurance coverage. We could see more uninsured drivers on the road. This is a fairly significant problem — if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, then you may have to sue third-party defendants in order to secure full and adequate compensation. Alternatively, you may have to rely on uninsured motorist coverage in your own plan.
Speak to a Fort Walton Car Accident Lawyer Today for Assistance
Powell Law Firm is a Florida-based personal injury firm founded nearly seven decades ago and representing injured plaintiffs throughout the state of Florida. We assist plaintiffs in a variety of disputes, including those that center around car accident-related issues (and insurance concerns stemming from those accidents).
Over the years, we have developed a reputation as thorough litigators who are willing to take a case all the way to trial, if necessary — in most cases, however, the dispute can be resolved through a negotiated settlement. Our relentless approach ensures that we have the leverage to push for a favorable result early.
If you’re ready to speak to an experienced Fort Walton car accident lawyer at our firm, call us at 850-682-2757 or send us a message online to schedule a free and confidential consultation today.