Why would I be entitled to compensation for my injuries and damages if I am involved in a car, motorcycle, bus, or trucking type accident in Florida?

#1 in a series of discussions on Florida’s Motor Vehicle No-Fault

Victims of motor vehicular accidents – (defined by: F.S. 627.732 (3) “Motor vehicle” means any self-propelled vehicle with four or more wheels which is of a type both designed and required to be licensed for use on the highways of this state and any trailer or semitrailer designed for use with such vehicle and includes:

(a) A “private passenger motor vehicle,” which is any motor vehicle which is a sedan, station wagon, or jeep-type vehicle and, if not used primarily for occupational, professional, or business purposes, a motor vehicle of the pickup, panel, van, camper, or motor home type.

(b) A “commercial motor vehicle,” which is any motor vehicle which is not a private passenger motor vehicle.

The term “motor vehicle” does not include a mobile home or any motor vehicle which is used in mass transit, other than public school transportation, and designed to transport more than five passengers exclusive of the operator of the motor vehicle and which is owned by a municipality, a transit authority, or a political subdivision of the state.) intending to pursue the recovery of their money damages for the injuries they may have suffered, must be aware that their lawsuit will likely be governed by the Florida Automobile Reparations Reform Act, or more commonly known as Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law (§ 627.730. Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law).

This particular Act, which has been in existence since the 1970s, strictly governs the basis for being compensated if one is the victim of a car or motor vehicle accident. This Blawg site will go into great depth and have many discussions on both the technical applications of this body of law, as well as a very in dept and candid analysis of the real implications of this body of law, over the many months to come. And to say that Florida’s Automobile Reparations Reform Act/ the Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law, has been the source of much debate is an extraordinary understatement. The basic premise of this writer’s candid opinions will be centered upon the belief that the Act was originally intended by the insurance industry and its special interests as a source of increasing the insurance industry’s revenues and profits without true regard for its policy holders or for righteous claimants who have been injured and demand damages for accident related injuries.