St. Petersburg Uninsured Driver Accident Lawyer

Typically, when two drivers are involved in a serious collision resulting in injury, the liable party’s insurance is responsible for compensating the victim. While compensation does not take away the pain of the injuries and the frustration of being waylaid from daily life, it can help the injured financially recover from the expenses of being in a crash. Unfortunately, not all drivers get insurance coverage. According to the Insurance Information Institute, Florida has the highest number of uninsured drivers in the nation, with 26.7 percent of the motorists being uninsured as of 2015. Some times, even if a driver does have insurance, the policy coverage is not enough to fully cover the extent of the severe injuries sustained. The St. Petersburg uninsured driver accident lawyers at the Law Office of Steven G. Lavely can help.

What Happens If I am in a Crash With an Uninsured Driver?

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles states that licensed drivers in Florida are required to carry $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage along with $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL) coverage. If you are involved in a collision on the road, PIP insurance will help pay for the injuries that you or another member in your vehicle suffers, regardless of who is at fault for the crash. PDL insurance will help pay for damages to another vehicle if you are at fault for the accident. If you are hit by an uninsured driver, your PIP insurance will be the first policy to apply anyways, so you may not be seriously affected by the lack of insurance from the other driver.

What if I Have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

Some Florida drivers chose to purchase additional insurance to protect themselves in the event of being hit by an uninsured or underinsured motorist. While health insurance may kick in to pay medical bills, having this additional insurance means you can seek compensation for the following that health insurance will not cover:

• Pain and suffering;
• Loss of joy of life;
• Lost wages;
• Lost earning ability due to disability;
• To help with services you are unable to do around the house during recovery;
• To accommodate your house if you become disabled in a car crash; and
• More.

Additionally, a UM policy will pay for your medical bills and future medical expenses whether you have insurance or not. Filing a claim with your own insurance company, under your UM policy, is essentially the same as filing a personal injury claim against another party—you must have legal representation, because your insurance company will otherwise try to reduce the value of your claim so it does not have to pay out as much compensation

Contact the St. Petersburg Attorneys at the Law Office of Steven G. Lavely

If you have sustained injuries from a car collision, it can be daunting to think about the hospital bills, rehabilitation, and time lost from work because the financial toll can add up quickly. Let the St. Petersburg uninsured motorist attorneys at the Law Office of Steven G. Lavely help you investigate what insurance policies may be applicable to your crash and advocate on your behalf for the best compensation possible. Contact our offices at 727-550-8800 to schedule a free consultation today.