Have you ever been involved in a car accident and the other driver wanted to settle the issue through a verbal agreement rather than call the police to the scene? If so, there’s a high chance that they’re either uninsured or underinsured and if the authorities were to find out, they could face license and registration suspension for up to three years. While they have their own penalties to worry about, you should also be concerned as there’s a possibility that you’ll be unable to recover compensation for damages.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, don’t hesitate to acquire the legal services of a seasoned personal injury attorney. The Fort Lauderdale uninsured & underinsured motorist accident lawyers at Salpeter Gitkin, LLP have extensive experience helping car accident victims recover the funds they’re entitled to by law.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, don’t hesitate to acquire the legal services of a seasoned personal injury attorney. The Fort Lauderdale uninsured & underinsured motorist accident lawyers at Salpeter Gitkin, LLP have extensive experience helping car accident victims recover the funds they’re entitled to by law.
Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Policy
Unlike many other states where when an accident occurs, the liable party is responsible for compensating the other party, Florida is a no-fault state. This means that following a car collision, drivers (regardless of liability) must pursue compensation through the state-mandated personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. One does, however, have the right to seek compensation from the liable party when the total cost of accident-related damage exceeds their insurance coverage. In Florida, the minimum required PIP coverage is $10,000.
In the event the insured driver must pursue compensation from the liable party who’s either underinsured or uninsured altogether, the insured driver will likely only be able to recover a portion of what’s needed if anything at all; but all hope isn’t lost.
Recovering Compensation for Damages
Insurance companies offer what is known as “uninsured/underinsured motorist” (UIM) coverage. Policyholders with this type of coverage can present their claim to their insurance company, and they’ll pay additional benefits to cover however much the uninsured/underinsured driver would have been responsible for. Check with your coverage provider to see if you have UIM insurance before pursuing alternative means of recovering compensation.
If you do not have UIM insurance, however, and still have outstanding accident-related damages that you believe the other driver is responsible for, you could file a personal injury claim with the civil courts. To win this claim, you must prove that the other driver was negligent in some way and that their negligence is directly responsible for your injuries. If you successfully argue your case, the courts can order to have the driver or their insurance company reimburse you for accident-related damages including:
- Medical bills
- Medical equipment
- Emotional injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning ability
- Loss of consortium
To ensure you recover compensation for all damages relevant in your car accident case, secure the legal services of a seasoned personal injury attorney.
Fort Lauderdale Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Accident Lawyer
The Fort Lauderdale uninsured & underinsured motorist accident lawyers at Salpeter Gitkin, LLP have handled numerous personal injury claims involving liable parties who lacked coverage. While car drivers face penalties for not carrying the mandated PIP insurance, motorcyclists aren’t required to have liability insurance at all, which can make an accident with a motorcyclist all the more harrowing.
No matter the type of vehicles involved, we are here to fight for you. We have a thorough understanding of the personal injury claims process in Florida and can ensure that you recover the funds you’re owed while protecting your best interests every step of the way. Contact us today at 954-467-8622 for a free case evaluation.
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