When you’re in a car accident, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage, required by Florida law, will cover your injuries. What if there are non-motorists involved in a car accident? For example, will PIP cover injuries sustained if you’re a pedestrian struck by a car, or out riding your bike?
The basics of Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Florida is known as a “no fault” state. The law requires every vehicle owner to have PIP coverage. In turn, in the event of an accident, you deal with your own insurance company. You don’t have to wait on a police report to determine fault before proceeding. You can go to a doctor and receive treatment immediately, which is important for your healing and recovery time.
But does PIP apply if you’re simply walking down the street, or riding your bicycle? It’s a good question, especially relevant since Tampa Bay is one of the nation’s the most dangerous regions for pedestrians.
PIP and Pedestrians
Would your PIP insurance cover you if you are a pedestrian involved in an auto accident. The short answer is Yes. If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, even if you’re a pedestrian, your PIP insurance covers you. If you don’t own a car and therefore don’t have PIP insurance, you might still be covered if another household member does have a car and carries PIP insurance.
Your PIP policy covers you if you’re driving your car, and it also protects you if you’re out for a walk and wind up getting hit by someone else’s car.
PIP and Bicyclists
The same law applies to bicyclists. If you have PIP coverage on your auto insurance policy, it extends to cover you when you’re riding a bike. The Florida law states that the insurer shall pay PIP benefits for those who are hit by a vehicle as long as they’re not an occupant of a self-propelled vehicle. Bicycles and pedestrians come under this umbrella, so your coverage can extend whether you’re in your car — or not.
If you’re in a car accident and suffer injuries, even if you’re a pedestrian or a bicyclist, it’s important to see a medical care provider as soon as possible. Your PIP policy will cover you, as long as you are seen within the two-week window. Prompt, expert medical care from an auto injury doctor can make a huge difference in your recovery timeline.