Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers | November 1, 2025 | Car Accidents
Yes, Florida is a no-fault state. This means that drivers must turn to their own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage after a car accident, no matter who was at fault. No-fault states have some advantages, such as making it easier to get compensation after an accident. However, there are also some major drawbacks to the no-fault system.
No-fault insurance only covers some of your economic damages, and it does not provide any benefits for your non-economic damages. Keep reading below to learn all the details about no-fault insurance in Florida.
What Is No-Fault Insurance?
Since Florida is a no-fault state, all drivers must carry no-fault insurance. This coverage is also known as personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. This type of insurance will provide you with benefits after an accident, no matter who was at fault. There is no need to provide evidence proving fault when you file a claim with your PIP coverage.
PIP insurance in Florida covers certain economic damages. It will cover 80% of your medical expenses and 60% of your lost wages, up to your policy limits. Additionally, PIP coverage will provide death benefits to the family of a deceased accident victim.
When you purchase PIP insurance, coverage may extend to several parties, including:
- You, as the vehicle driver
- Family members living in your household
- Passengers in your vehicle
- Pedestrians or bicyclists injured in a collision with your vehicle
It is important to note that PIP coverage does not cover non-economic damages. This may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other intangible losses.
Minimum Insurance Requirements in Florida
Florida law sets minimum insurance requirements that all drivers must meet.
All drivers in Florida must carry:
- At least $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) insurance
- At least $10,000 in personal damage liability (PDL) insurance
There is no requirement that most drivers carry bodily injury liability insurance in Florida. However, there are a couple of exceptions to this rule.
Vehicles registered as taxis must carry:
- $125,000 bodily injury per person
- $250,000 bodily injury per accident
- $50,000 PDL coverage
Additionally, drivers who have been convicted of a DUI within the last three years must carry both bodily injury liability and property damage liability insurance.
Can I Sue the At-Fault Driver for My Injuries?
In most cases, you cannot sue the at-fault driver for your injuries because Florida follows a no-fault insurance system. This means that after a crash, you must first seek benefits from your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, regardless of who caused the accident.
However, there are exceptions to this rule. If your injuries are considered severe under Florida law, you may step outside the no-fault system and sue the at-fault driver. In those cases, you can file a claim against the other driver’s bodily injury liability insurance if they have it—or pursue a personal injury lawsuit against them directly if they don’t.
Severe injuries that meet the no-fault exception include:
- Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function
- Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability
- Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Death
These exceptions allow victims of serious crashes to pursue compensation beyond PIP coverage limits.
Can I Sue for Property Damage After a Car Accident in Florida?
Even though Florida’s no-fault laws apply to bodily injuries, property damage claims are handled differently. If your vehicle or other personal property was damaged in the crash, you can file a claim against the at-fault driver’s Property Damage Liability (PDL) insurance.
If the at-fault driver does not carry this coverage, you may be able to file a civil lawsuit to recover the cost of repairs or replacement. You can also turn to your own collision coverage, if available, to help pay for the damage more quickly.
While property damage claims don’t fall under the no-fault system, they still require evidence—such as photos, repair estimates, and the police report—to support your claim. Working with an experienced car accident attorney can help ensure that all possible sources of compensation are identified and pursued efficiently.
Contact the Jacksonville Car Accident Attorneys at Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Jacksonville or anywhere in Florida, don’t face the insurance process alone. The team at Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers has the experience and dedication to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
For more information, please contact the Jacksonville personal injury law firm of Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers and schedule a free consultation today.
We serve Duval County and its surrounding areas.
Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers
136 E Bay St #5438
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 356-6071
Find us with our Geo Coordinates: 30.32569719086265, -81.65515220132858
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Attorney Howard Coker is the founder of Coker Law Personal Injury Lawyers. A graduate of the University of Florida College of Law, he has dedicated his career to representing individuals in serious personal injury cases. With more than four decades of courtroom experience and over 350 jury trials, Howard is recognized as one of Florida’s top trial attorneys. His commitment to justice ensure every client receives the strong, personalized representation they deserve. Check our recent case results.
Location: Jacksonville, FL