If you drive in Florida, you should have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. If you don’t, and you’re involved in a serious car accident in Florida, there’s a good chance that the negligent driver who hit you won’t have adequate insurance to cover your personal injury claim.
Here’s why: According to a 2007 study, 23% of drivers in Florida were uninsured, and the percentage of underinsured drivers may have been just as staggering.
Furthermore, drivers are not required to have insurance that pays for bodily injury to victims of a car accident in Florida. This translates to a lack of coverage for medical expenses, pain and suffering related to a permanent injury and lost wages. Coverage for property damage is required in Florida.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Unfortunately, since many drivers are not insured at all, getting behind the wheel is a big risk in Florida. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can help you protect yourself and your family in the event of a serious car accident.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage provides protection for:
- you and any passengers in your car;
- you as a passenger in someone else’s vehicle;
- you as a pedestrian; and
- you as a victim of a hit and run driver.
With uninsured motorist coverage, you would be covered for bodily injuries when struck by an uninsured or underinsured motorist whose negligence caused your car accident. This coverage is important, considering that the 2007 Insurance Research Council Study ranked Florida among the top 5 states with a high percentage of uninsured drivers.
$10,000 Limit on Personal Injury Protection
Although Florida is a no-fault state, which means your insurance company will pay for your injuries and property damage despite who is to blame for a car accident in Florida, there is a limit on the payout. This is called Personal Injury Protection (PIP), and the limit is $10,000, which might be adequate if your injuries are minor.
If your injuries are severe and you lack adequate health insurance, $10,000 will not be enough. This is where uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can help.
With uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you can rest assured that you will be extensively covered when hit a by a driver with inadequate insurance or no coverage at all.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, depending on the limits you purchase, could cover:
- Medical bills – 100%.
- Lost wages – 100%.
- Pain and suffering – 100%.
Consider uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as protection from careless drivers in Florida, but keep in mind that insurance companies often attempt to avoid paying claims and might even try to dissuade a motorist from purchasing uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
If you are having trouble getting your insurance company to pay benefits after a car accident in Florida, you should consult with an experienced Palm Beach car accident lawyer.
Contact a Palm Beach Car Accident Lawyer
An auto accident can ruin and completely change your life. If you have been injured in a car crash in West Palm Beach or North Palm Beach, Florida, you should contact a Florida personal injury attorney to learn about your rights and determine liability. When you are interviewing personal injury attorneys ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing; what is the largest settlement or verdict you’ve obtained; and do you have experience with uninsured motorist cases?
24/7 Injury Law, a law firm based in West Palm Beach, Florida, takes time when speaking with you about your case and works with you on a contingent fee basis so there are NO FEES unless one of our trained personal injury lawyers wins your case. Call now to schedule a no-cost evaluation of your case – 888-984-4878.