Betty must use her own PIP to pay her medical bills. This statement describes how medical expenses are handled in a not-at-fault situation. Which option best reflects this?

• A. Sam may sue Betty for medical bills
• B. Betty may sue Sam and Fred for medical bills
• C. Betty must use her own PIP to pay her medical bills
• D. Sam may recover expenses from Fred's PIP

Answer: (C)

In Florida’s no-fault auto system, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is the first payer of medical expenses after an auto crash, regardless of who caused the accident. So, in a not-at-fault situation, the injured party uses their own PIP to cover medical bills up to the policy’s limits before resorting to other sources of recovery. This is why the statement describing Betty using her own PIP to pay medical bills best reflects how these expenses are handled. Once PIP benefits are exhausted, Betty could pursue the at-fault driver’s liability coverage for any remaining medical costs or other damages, but initially the medical bills are paid by her own PIP. The other options misstate who is responsible for paying medical expenses or who can seek reimbursement, given the not-at-fault framework.