What to Do If the Other Driver Does Not Have Car Insurance?
Despite the fact that pretty much every state requires drivers to obtain some form of liability insurance in order to operate a vehicle, many drivers still choose to get behind the wheel without insurance. Research shows that about 1 in 8 drivers in Florida do not have auto liability insurance. Sadly, while you may drive carefully and follow all traffic regulations, you’re still at risk of getting into an accident with an uninsured driver. In Florida, drivers are required to purchase at least $10,000 worth of property damage liability coverage and $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. In the event of an accident, the personal injury protection coverage will pay up to $10,000 for medical expenses and the property damage coverage will pay to repair or replace a person’s vehicle. Despite this, thousands of people are injured in car accidents every year with uninsured drivers and many assume that if the person is uninsured, they are simply out of luck. First of all, driving without insurance is a terrible idea and there are many consequences for those who decide to do so. For instance, some of the penalties associated with driving without insurance include license suspension, license plate confiscation, and in some cases even criminal charges. If you want to protect yourself from these awful consequences, you need to make sure that you always have auto insurance coverage, plain and simple.
At this point, you may be wondering “what about if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver?” You have two main options: file a claim with your own insurance company under the uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage portion of your policy or file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver personally. Try not to waste any time after the accident happens. After a car crash, if the other driver claims to not have insurance, or refuses to provide any insurance information, notify your insurance company immediately. To learn more about the specifics of your policy including deadlines and requirements in order to file a claim, request a copy of your policy from your insurance company. You may wonder why you need to purchase UM coverage if you have PIP and health insurance since in most cases, after your PIP coverage is exhausted, your health insurance may pay some of your medical bills. While uninsured motorist coverage is optional, it is a very important coverage that you should seriously consider purchasing because it gives you or your loved ones the ability to get compensated from your own liability insurance for the amounts you would have been able to collect from the at-fault party if they had been insured. If your accident was caused by the negligent, careless or reckless actions of an uninsured driver, you can use uninsured motorist coverage to obtain compensation to help ease the financial burdens linked to the accident, including, past and future hospital and medical expenses, lost wages, past and future economic loss, mental anguish and pain and suffering.
Call a Miami Car Accident Attorney Today!
If you sustained injuries in a car accident with an uninsured motorist, you shouldn’t have to bear the entire financial weight of those injuries. A personal injury claim can help obtain funds that cover medical expenses, lost income and other damages. You want a lawyer who will work hard on your behalf and follow through promptly on all assignments. Assess the strength of your claim by speaking with a Miami product liability attorney who is familiar with Florida’s product liability laws. The Law Offices of Suarez & Montero represents injured victims in all types of car accident cases. Our skillful attorneys are genuinely committed to our clients. We will fight to make sure that you get the maximum amount of compensation owed to you. Let us help you get the medical care you need and fight to make sure you are compensated for your injuries! Our attorneys are ready to provide proven legal representation in pursuing your claim and stand ready to protect your rights. We are available 24/7 to give you a free, no risk case consultation.
We serve clients throughout Florida including those in the following areas:
Miami-Dade: Aventura, Coral Gables, Doral, Fontainebleau, Hialeah, Homestead, Kendall, Miami, Miami Beach, Miami Lakes, North Miami, Tamiami, and Westchester.
Broward: Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and Weston; and Palm Beach County including Boca Raton, Lake Worth, and West Palm Beach.
