Bradenton Uninsured Accident Lawyer
If you are a driver in Florida, you are required to carry auto insurance. Because Florida is a no-fault car insurance state, requirements dictate that you carry $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL) coverage. In the event that you are involved in a crash, the former (PIP) helps to pay for injuries that you suffer – regardless of fault – and the latter (PDL) helps to pay for damages caused by you or a family member to the vehicle of another. After an accident, you have a right to file a claim with your insurance company and seek damages for your losses – our Bradenton uninsured accident lawyer at the Law Office of Steven G. Lavely can help.
What If I Am Hit by an Uninsured Driver?
Because Florida requires all of its driver to carry PIP insurance, if you are hit by an uninsured driver and do not suffer catastrophic injuries, the fact that you are insured under your own policy – and cannot seek damages from another driver unless you meet Florida’s injury threshold anyway – means that their lawlessness may not really affect you. This is one of the major benefits of a no-fault system.
Of course, if you do suffer serious injuries, characterized by Florida Code Chapter 627, Section 626.737 as injuries resulting in significant and permanent loss of a bodily function, death, permanent injury, or significant scarring and disfigurement, the fact that the at-fault driver is uninsured may affect you.
While drivers are not required to carry Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) insurance, this type of insurance pays for serious injuries (or costs related to death) caused to one party by the at-fault policyholder in a crash. If you suffer serious injuries and the at-fault driver does not have BIL insurance as part of their policy, recovering damages from them may be impossible. While you maintain the right to file a claim, the person may not have the economic means to pay your claim.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Insurance
Many motorists choose to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance (UM/UIM) in Florida. If you are involved in a car accident caused by another driver who does not have BIL insurance, or does not have enough BIL insurance to pay for your injuries, your UM/IUM coverage can help you pay for your expenses, especially when combined with your PIP coverage.
Get Help Understanding Your Options When Involved in a Crash with an Uninsured Driver
If you are involved in a crash with an uninsured driver, the first step is turning to your own insurance company’s PIP coverage for compensation, regardless of fault or severity. After that, you may need to file a lawsuit in order to recover the damages you deserve, file a claim under your UM/UIM coverage, or consider other legal options. At the Law Office of Steven G. Lavely, our talentedBradenton personal injury protection lawyer will provide you with the legal help you are looking for in understanding your options, filing your claim, negotiating with an insurance adjuster, and getting a fair settlement. Contact our law offices today for your case review and more information – there is no fee or cost to you unless your case is successful!