Auto Accident Care in Tampa:
What to Know About ER Bills, PIP, and Uninsured Drivers
Important information from Cobb Rehab & Wellness for anyone injured in a Florida car accident
If you’ve been in a car accident in Florida and your injuries are not life-threatening, where you go first can affect both your recovery and your medical bills. A single ER visit can use up most or all of your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, and roughly one in five Florida drivers is uninsured. Here’s what Dr. Cobb and our team want you to know.
When Should You Go Straight to the ER After a Car Accident?
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately if you have suspected broken bones, deep puncture wounds or severe bleeding, chest or abdominal pain, trouble breathing, fainting or confusion, a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, or new weakness or numbness.
How Much Can an ER Visit Cost After a Car Accident?
Our practice has seen auto accident patients arrive with ER bills ranging from $13,000 to $80,000. Because PIP has firm limits, a bill in that range can exceed your entire benefit in one visit, leaving little or nothing for follow-up care.
How Florida PIP Coverage Works
- Minimum coverage: Florida drivers must carry at least $10,000 in PIP.
- What it pays: Generally 80% of reasonable, eligible medical expenses, up to your policy limit.
- The 14-day rule: You must receive initial medical care within 14 days of the accident to use PIP.
- The $2,500 limit: Benefits may be capped at $2,500 unless a qualifying medical provider determines you had an emergency medical condition.
- No-fault coverage: PIP applies no matter who caused the accident.
What Happens If You’re Hit by an Uninsured Driver in Florida?
An estimated one in five Florida drivers carries no auto insurance. Florida also doesn’t require bodily injury liability coverage, so even an insured driver may have limited coverage available for injuries they cause.
Without uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage of your own, you may have limited options for covering costs beyond PIP or seeking compensation if your injury is permanent.
Where Should You Go First for a Non-Emergency Car Accident Injury?
For non-life-threatening injuries, coming directly to Cobb Rehab & Wellness may cost considerably less than an ER visit while still allowing you to receive an evaluation within Florida’s 14-day PIP window. Because PIP is no-fault coverage, you can be seen even if the accident was your fault.
Dr. Cobb has more than 18 years of experience caring for auto accident patients in Tampa. Our office provides thorough injury evaluations, care for whiplash, neck and back strains, and musculoskeletal pain, as well as detailed documentation of your evaluation and care. When needed, we can also refer you for X-rays, MRIs, other imaging, or evaluation by a medical specialist.
How Can You Protect Yourself Before Your Next Accident?
UM/UIM coverage helps protect you when the other driver has no insurance or not enough of it. Depending on your policy, it can help cover medical expenses beyond PIP and may provide compensation for a permanent injury.
If you’re unsure whether you have UM/UIM coverage, ask your insurance agent about your current policy and limits.
We’re a healthcare practice, not an insurance agency or law firm. Please speak with your insurance provider about your specific coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see a chiropractor if the car accident was my fault?
How soon after a car accident should I get checked out?
Does PIP cover chiropractic care in Florida?
Been in an Accident? Call Us First.
If your injuries aren’t life-threatening, Cobb Rehab & Wellness is here to evaluate what happened, explain your next steps, and provide appropriate care or referrals based on what we find. Call us at (813) 914-8500 or visit us at 4205 E. Busch Blvd., Tampa, FL 33617.
