No, the fact that PIP has sunset as of October 1, 2007 (but now will resume as of January 1, 2008) would not affect your prior accident or how you can collect for injuries you sustained.

An accident that took place while the no-fault laws were in place would be dealt with under the no-fault (PIP) insurance laws not the any new Florida laws or the lack of the requirement for PIP for 3 months in 2007.

Under the no-fault system Florida drivers give up their right to sue for all but the most serious personal injuries sustained in a car accident. If your accident results in death or some form of permanent injury, such as scarring or permanent physical impairment (paralysis, severed ligaments, etc.), Florida’s no-fault law would allow you or your legal representative to sue the at-fault party to recover damages above and beyond your PIP coverage. These damages could include pain and suffering (past and future), lost wages, lost wage-earning capacity, future medical expenses, etc. In such a lawsuit normally a jury would determine how much to award in damages.

You can read about the limitation the FL no-fault law has on pain and suffering, mental anguish, etc by reading section 627.730 of the Florida Statutes.

If the accident had occurred during October, November or December of 2007 when PIP is not required between the end of the no-fault law and the resuming of it at the beginning of 2008, then there is the possibility that you could go after the at fault party for pain and suffering. Without the no-fault law a person may be able to take the at fault person to court for pain and suffering and other non-economic damages.

There are different scenarios that can play out after an accident with injuries during the time that no-fault is not required. Who pays medical bills, etc depends on the auto insurance coverages each driver involved in an accident have at the time of the incident. The insurance regulator for Florida has various charts and facts on this situation listed on the FLDFS website.

You mentioned the injuries that you sustained from the wreck with the truck have caused you much grief and pain. If they are considered permanent injuries by medical professional then you could still see about placing a lawsuit for pain and suffering against the at-fault driver.